Adrenocortical Disease in Ferrets

Date: January 11, 2010; updated October 18, 2019 and May 22, 2022

By: Charles Cummings, DVM CertAqV

Reviewed by: Nico Schoemaker, DVM, Ph.D, Dipl. ECAMS, Dipl. ABVP-Avian

Keywords: , , , , , , , , , ,

Categories: Ferret,  Mammals, 

Key Points

  • Hyperadrenocorticism is a common condition of domestic ferrets, affecting middle-aged to older ferrets.
  • The most common clinical sign of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets is progressive alopecia of the tail, tail base and trunk.
  • Vulvar enlargement may be seen in  spayed females with hyperadrenocorticism.
  • Male ferrets may present with a history of stranguria or urinary tract obstruction due to prostatomegaly.
  • Experienced ultrasonographers can detect adrenomegaly (width > 3-3.5 mm) or abnormal adrenal architecture.
  • Hormone panels are also available. Most affected ferrets have elevated levels of estradiol, androstenedione, and/or 17α-hydroxyprogesterone.
  • Medical therapy using deslorelin implants, though not curative, is recommended. Ferrets may remain asymptomatic for a median of 1-1.5 years.
  • Adrenalectomy may be indicated in case non-responsiveness to medical treatment, although adrenalectomy of the right adrenal gland is difficult.

Hyperadrenocorticism is a common and complex clinical condition in the pet ferret. This disease occurs most frequently in ferrets three years or older but has been reported in animals as young as one year of age. Presumptive diagnosis of adrenal disease in the ferret is based on history, clinical signs, imaging diagnostics, and steroid hormone analysis. Medical therapy using deslorelin implants, though not curative, is recommended. Ferrets may remain asymptomatic for a median of 1-1.5 years. Adrenalectomy may be indicated in case non-responsiveness to medical treatment, although adrenalectomy of the right adrenal gland is difficult . . .

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Further reading

Bakthavatchalu V, Muthupalani S, Marini RP, Fox JG. Endocrinopathy and Aging in Ferrets. Vet Pathol. 2016;53(2):349-65. doi: 10.1177/0300985815623621. PMID: 26936751; PMCID: PMC5397995.

Neuwirth L, Collins B, Calderwood-Mays M, Tran T. Adrenal ultrasonography correlated with histopathology in ferrets. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 1997;38(1):69-74. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.1997.tb01606.x. PMID: 9238774.

To cite this page:

Cummings C. Adrenocortical disease in ferrets. LafeberVet Web site. May 22, 2022. Available at  https://lafeber.com/vet/adrenocortical-disease-in-ferrets/