Hyperadrenocorticism Associated with Adrenocortical Tumor or Nodular Hyperplasia of the Adrenal Gland in Ferrets: 50 Cases (1987-1991)

    July 1993 in “ Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association ”
    Karen L. Rosenthal, Mark E. Peterson, Katherine E. Quesenberry, Elizabeth V. Hillyer, Neal L. Beeber, Scott Moroff, Clinton D. Lothrop
    TLDR Diagnosis of adrenal issues in ferrets should use symptoms, ultrasound, and surgery, not ACTH tests.
    In this study of 50 ferrets diagnosed with adrenocortical adenoma, nodular hyperplasia, or carcinoma, 70% were female and 30% were male, with clinical signs appearing at an average age of 3.4 years. Common symptoms included alopecia (86%), large vulva in females (89%), and pruritus (40%). Ultrasonography identified a unilateral adrenal gland mass in 49% of cases. Despite normal baseline plasma cortisol and corticosterone levels, high estradiol levels were found in 36% of tested ferrets. Adrenalectomy, performed on 39 ferrets, led to symptom resolution, suggesting hyperfunctional adrenal tumors. The study concluded that diagnosis should rely on clinical signs, ultrasonography, and surgical findings, as ACTH stimulation tests were not useful.
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