What causes adrenal tumors in ferrets?
In the diseased or overactive ferret adrenal gland there is typically an overproduction of sex hormones. The most common cause is hyperplasia (excessive growth) of the adrenal gland(s), but tumors, both malignant and benign may also be seen.
Do all ferrets get adrenal disease?
Adrenal gland disease is, unfortunately, a common disease of pet ferrets in the United States. Most affected ferrets are greater than 2 years of age. Many researchers believe that it is due to the close relationship between the ferret’s reproductive organs and the adrenal glands.
Why is my ferret going bald?
A very common cause of ferrets losing their hair is a hormonal problem, known as adrenocortical disease. Over 40 percent of ferrets over 3 years old will develop this problem. The first area to start to lose hair is generally the tail. All of these symptoms relate to an overproduction of hormones by the adrenal glands.
How do you treat an adrenal ferret?
Treatment options
- Medical Management. Deslorelin: A newer treatment, similar to Lupron, is the deslorelin acetate (Suprelorin) implant.
- Surgical Management: Surgical removal of the affected gland is the preferred treatment. Surgery allows direct inspection of both adrenal glands as well as the other internal organs.
What happens if a ferret has an adrenal gland tumor?
Tumors of the adrenal gland in ferrets can cause excess secretion of sex hormones, thus affecting many organs in the body. Unfortunately, this is a relatively common problem in middle aged and older ferrets. Even though most of these tumors are not malignant, they can cause significant disease if left untreated.
Is there a cure for adrenal disease in ferrets?
If you know the symptoms to look for, and the treatment options available, then you may be able to catch the adrenal disease in its early stages, which will help to slow its development and help to prolong your ferret’s life.
How long do deslorelin implants last in ferrets?
They will remain effective anywhere from 6 months to a year or more, depending on the size of the ferret and the severity of its adrenal disease. Thus, one deslorelin implant can cover the same period of time that would require from 2 to 4 of the 4-month Lupron Depot shots.
How often can melatonin implants be given to ferrets?
They remain effective for approximately 4 months for ferrets that already have adrenal disease. When used at a preventative, melatonin implants can probably be given every 6-8 months. Using them as a preventative could prolong the ferret’s life and could potentially save a lot of money down the road in the treatment of adrenal disease.
Tumors of the adrenal gland in ferrets can cause excess secretion of sex hormones, thus affecting many organs in the body. Unfortunately, this is a relatively common problem in middle aged and older ferrets. Even though most of these tumors are not malignant, they can cause significant disease if left untreated.
Can you get Cushing’s disease in a ferret?
In ferrets, true Cushing’s disease does not occur. Although hyperactive adrenal glands and adrenal gland tumors occur, the overactive glands do not produce excessive cortisol levels. Instead, there is an increased production of other hormones (especially various sex hormones like estradiol and progesterone).
If you know the symptoms to look for, and the treatment options available, then you may be able to catch the adrenal disease in its early stages, which will help to slow its development and help to prolong your ferret’s life.
What kind of disease does a ferret have?
It is a common and often systemic(Or far-reaching) disease affecting many animals; in this case, ferrets. Typically, adrenal disorders occur when a ferret produces too many hormones because of an underlying disease or condition. Ferrets suffering from an adrenal disease display various signs and symptoms.
Is adrenal disease cancer in ferrets?
Ferrets get a Different Type of Adrenal Disease In ferrets it is the reproductive hormones that are overproduced with overactive adrenal glands. The glands may be overactive due to hypertrophy (exaggerated growth), benign tumors or a malignant form of cancer.
