Adrenal Disease in Ferrets
Adrenal disease is a frequently recognized syndrome in ferrets. Ferrets most commonly develop adrenal tumors around 3 to 4 years of age, although this disease has been documented in ferrets as young as 18 months. The most common clinical signs include symmetrical hair loss and itchiness. Vulvar enlargement may be noted in some females. In males, enlargement of the prostate can result in life-threatening urinary obstruction where the ferret may strain to urinate. Any or all of these signs may be present in this disease.
Diagnosis
Currently there are two recommended tests available for confirming adrenal disease in ferrets. An ultrasound exam can identify enlarged or abnormal adrenal glands and has the advantage of evaluating other organs for disease. The success of this exam however, will vary with the experience of the sonographers since ferret adrenal glands can be difficult to visualize. Because we ultrasound so many ferrets here, our ultrasonographers are highly skilled and are able to identify and measure the adrenal glands in almost all cases. The second test available is an adrenal androgen panel conducted by the University of Tennessee Endocrinology laboratory. This test checks for elevations of various sex hormones being produced by the diseased adrenal gland. Routine bloodwork is also recommended to screen for any other underlying diseases and as a pre-surgical work up.
Treatment
Two treatment options for adrenal disease in ferrets are available. Surgical removal of the diseased adrenal gland is the treatment of choice. Prognosis with surgical excision is good. Hormone levels begin to decrease within several days of surgery and clinical signs usually resolve within 1-2 weeks. Hair re-growth may take up to 3 months. Our boarded surgeons conduct a full abdominal exploratory and evaluate both adrenals prior to removing either. If both adrenal glands are affected, removal of the larger gland and de-bulking (partial removal) of the smaller gland is recommended. The right adrenal gland is more difficult to remove because it may adhere to or invade the wall of the vena cava (the major vein which returns blood from the body to the heart). Rarely, if only one gland was affected, the remaining adrenal will become diseased after an apparent recovery.
A palliative medical option is available for managing adrenal disease in ferrets, especially those that are not good surgical candidates. Leuprolide acetate (Lupron) is a hormone that is given once monthly by injection. This hormone injection helps control the clinical signs of adrenal disease, but does not treat the diseased adrenal. Clinical improvement of most clinical signs is usually noted within a few weeks, although hair growth generally takes about 4 to 8 weeks. While there are no apparent side effects, some ferrets can become resistant to the effects of Lupron after a prolonged treatment period. It is important to note that the ferret will need monthly injections of the hormone to control clinical signs and that the adrenal tumor remains in the body and may continue to grow.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about the health of your ferret.
Currently there are two recommended tests available for confirming adrenal disease in ferrets. An ultrasound exam can identify enlarged or abnormal adrenal glands and has the advantage of evaluating other organs for disease. The success of this exam however, will vary with the experience of the sonographers since ferret adrenal glands can be difficult to visualize. Because we ultrasound so many ferrets here, our ultrasonographers are highly skilled and are able to identify and measure the adrenal glands in almost all cases. The second test available is an adrenal androgen panel conducted by the University of Tennessee Endocrinology laboratory. This test checks for elevations of various sex hormones being produced by the diseased adrenal gland. Routine bloodwork is also recommended to screen for any other underlying diseases and as a pre-surgical work up.
Treatment
Two treatment options for adrenal disease in ferrets are available. Surgical removal of the diseased adrenal gland is the treatment of choice. Prognosis with surgical excision is good. Hormone levels begin to decrease within several days of surgery and clinical signs usually resolve within 1-2 weeks. Hair re-growth may take up to 3 months. Our boarded surgeons conduct a full abdominal exploratory and evaluate both adrenals prior to removing either. If both adrenal glands are affected, removal of the larger gland and de-bulking (partial removal) of the smaller gland is recommended. The right adrenal gland is more difficult to remove because it may adhere to or invade the wall of the vena cava (the major vein which returns blood from the body to the heart). Rarely, if only one gland was affected, the remaining adrenal will become diseased after an apparent recovery.
A palliative medical option is available for managing adrenal disease in ferrets, especially those that are not good surgical candidates. Leuprolide acetate (Lupron) is a hormone that is given once monthly by injection. This hormone injection helps control the clinical signs of adrenal disease, but does not treat the diseased adrenal. Clinical improvement of most clinical signs is usually noted within a few weeks, although hair growth generally takes about 4 to 8 weeks. While there are no apparent side effects, some ferrets can become resistant to the effects of Lupron after a prolonged treatment period. It is important to note that the ferret will need monthly injections of the hormone to control clinical signs and that the adrenal tumor remains in the body and may continue to grow.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about the health of your ferret.
