Adrenal Gland Disease in Ferrets

Adrenal Gland Disease in Ferrets

Ferrets are relatively hearty pets and can be a lot of fun.  But, there are a few diseases unique to ferrets that you should be aware of if you own one of these inquisitive creatures. 

The average lifespan of a ferret is about eight years.  Middle aged ferrets may experience issues with enlarged (hyperplastic) adrenal glands or tumors in their adrenal gland.  The adrenal gland makes several hormones for the body.  Disruption of normal adrenal function causes symmetrical hair loss on the sides of the body, the back and the tail and many ferrets experience increased sexual behavior or aggressive behavior even if spayed or neutered.  Females may have an enlarged vulva and males may develop an enlarged prostate and may have difficulty urinating as a result.

It is unclear what causes adrenal gland disease in ferrets.  If your ferret exhibits any of these signs, he or she should be examined by your veterinarian.  A blood panel to check adrenal function will most likely be necessary to confirm adrenal disease though an ultrasound of the abdomen to search for enlarged adrenal glands may also be recommended.

            Treatment options may be surgical or medical.  Surgery to remove the affected gland is the best course of treatment; however, there may be cases where both adrenal glands are affected.  Removal of both adrenal glands can be performed, but, if both glands are removed, your ferret may require life-long medical therapy for hypoadrenocorticism (loss of the hormones such as cortisol normally produced in the adrenal glands can be life-threatening). 

            Medical therapy with long acting injections of drugs such as Lupron to control symptoms by lowering the production of excess sex hormones may be used.  Treatment is life-long.  Medical implants that release drugs such as deslorelin acetate are sometimes used to treat this condition as well.  Previously unavailable in the United States, Virbac Company now sells these implants to veterinarians in the U.S.   They are implanted under the skin and can control symptoms of adrenal disease for up to a year. 

            This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

Source: www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/top-5-diseases-domestic-ferrets