Advanced Diagnostic Approaches and Current Medical Management of Insulinomas and Adrenocortical Disease in Ferrets
August 2010
in “
The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice
”
TLDR Insulinomas and adrenocortical tumors are common in older ferrets, diagnosed with blood tests and ultrasounds, and treated with medications or surgery.
The document discussed the advanced diagnostic approaches and current medical management of insulinomas and adrenocortical disease in ferrets. Insulinomas, pancreatic islet beta-cell tumors, were noted for their overproduction of insulin, affecting approximately 25% of middle-aged to older ferrets. Adrenocortical neoplasia, or adrenal disease, involved the overproduction of steroids by adrenal cortex tumors, distinct from Cushing's disease in dogs. Both conditions required thorough diagnostics and treatment options, with surgical excision being a viable treatment, though medical management could also provide a good quality of life for affected ferrets.
