Some common symptoms which may of may not be seen together (expression of
symptoms is variable and it's possible to have adrenal growths with no
symptoms, too, having been there):
 
Fur loss: there are some "signature patterns" like loss over the sacrum,
or on the tops of the feet, or the top of the head, but in general any
bilateral fur loss that is beyond that of normal shedding during shedding
seasons, or is beyond normal for non-shedding season during those times
is suspect.  There can be other causes: some rare ones bald with age,
parasites (dangerous in their own right) can cause it, fungal disease that
needs to be treated can cause it, etc.  Usually, though, it's a adrenal
growth.  Fortunately, most of these are not malignant though they do need
surgical intervention.
 
Vulva swollen: the high levels of hormones (It typically is a
hyper-estrogen situation in ferrets rather than the Cushings that is seen
in dogs.) tends to cause the vulva to swell.  It may also cause vaginal
infections.
 
Urinary problems: urinary infections can occur.  In males the prostate may
swell; this can sometimes happen very suddenly causing an acute blockage
that requires immediate emergency care to save the ferret's life.
 
Behavioral changes: The behavior of the affect animal may alter due to
the increases in hormones, or the behavior of other toward that animal
may change for the same reason.
 
Odor: the smell may change or become much pronounced.
 
Skin and fur: with loss of the undercoat and the oil gland sometimes
changing in their output the fur will feel more coarse and may even feel
dirty.  The skin can develop more problems: more eruptions, more orange
dried oil spots, more wrinkles, and thinner appearance.
 
Shape: as with old age the ferret can become more pear shaped.
 
Diagnosing and treating: best thing is to have an exploratory and remove
the affected gland.  If you aren't sure you can always discuss the option
of trying a run or two or Lupron to see if the symptoms improve because
if they do it's adrenal and needs to be tackled.  Alternatively, there is
the Tennessee Panel blood test.  Ultrasounds tend to have a high chance of
being inaccurate.  Though there is some risk with surgery and with post-op
times it is much safer than it was in the early years with few lost (We
personally so far haven't lose any ferrets in surgery or in post-op days
in over 19 years.), and many IMPORTANT post-op tips can be found in the
FML archives (See Bill's notes in the heading section), the FML archives
in Yahoogroups, and in past editions of "Modern Ferret", esp.  in the
article by Alicia.
 
For reassurance of what is or is not "cancer" I suggest that folks check
the FML archives for cross-posts I brought over on "definitions".  There
is a lot of reassuring factual information in there.
[Posted in FML issue 3583]