Adrenal Disease in Ferrets

Adrenal disease or adrenal hyperplasia is a disease commonly found in ferrets in North America. The adrenal glands may become larger than normal (hyperplasia) or may be affected by a cancerous mass (benign or malignant). The result of these disorders is an increased secretion of sex hormones, which leads to various problems. Fortunately, when it comes to a tumor, metastases (when the tumor spreads throughout the body) are uncommon. On the other hand, the tumor can be invasive to surrounding tissues and organs.

Symptoms

• Ferret of middle-old age (3 years and older) in general
• Progressive, symmetrical hair loss, often at the base of the tail or lower back (more than 90% of cases) Itching in 30-50% of cases
• Swelling of the vulva in females, with or without discharge;
• Increase in the volume of the prostate, sometimes leading to difficulty urinating or even an inability to urinate (urinary blockage).
• Possible aggression especially in males

Diagnosis

• Complete health examination
• Symptoms
• Blood tests and adrenal hormone levels
• Medical imaging (ultrasound, x-ray)

Treatment

The treatment of choice for ferrets under 5 years of age and in good health is surgery (adrenalectomy). For older animals and/or those for whom surgery is too risky, medical treatment (Lupron injections, once a month) may be given for the rest of their life to reduce or control symptoms. Desloreline is a new option for treating this condition. This hormone comes in the form of an implant injected under the ferret's skin. The implant gradually releases the hormone over a period of approximately one year. The main advantage of this treatment is that the implant has a much longer duration of effectiveness (one year) compared to Lupron injections (one month). Additionally, the treatment can be repeated annually as the implant degrades over time. However, due to the size of the implant, it must be injected under general anesthesia. Some research also suggests that deslorelin can be used as a preventive measure for this issue.

A discussion with your veterinarian about these treatment options is recommended. Factors to consider before making a choice include the presence of symptoms affecting the health and quality of life of the ferret, the animal’s age, and the presence of other diseases (i.e. cardiac). Contact us for more details.