Advanced Diagnostic Approaches and Current Medical Management of
Insulinomas and Adrenocortical Disease in Ferrets (Mustela putorius
furo)

Sue Chen , DVM, DABVP (Avian)

Begin Quote:
"Endocrine neoplasia is the most common tumor type in domestic ferrets,
especially in middle-aged to older ferrets. Islet cell tumors and
adrenocortical tumors constitute the major types of endocrine
neoplasms. Insulinoma is a tumor that produces and releases excessive
amounts of insulin. Evaluation of fasted blood glucose levels provides
a quick diagnostic assessment for the detection of insulinomas. Use
of glucocorticoids, diazoxide, and diet modification are some of the
medical treatment options for insulinomas. Adrenocortical neoplasia in
ferrets usually overproduces one or more sex hormones. Sex hormones
which can result in progressive alopecia, vulvar swelling in females,
and prostagomegaly in males. Abdominal ultrasonography and sex hormone
assays can be used to diagnose adrenocortical neoplasms. Drugs such as
leuprolide acetate, deslorelin acetate, and the hormone melatonin can
be used to treat adrenocortical neoplasms in ferrets when surgery is
not an option."
Keywords : Ferret , Insulinoma , Adrenocortical disease
<http://www.vetexotic.theclinics.com/article/S1094-9194(10)00064-2/abstract>



Ferret Coronavirus-Associated Diseases

Jerry Murray , DVM a , Matti Kiupel , DrMedVet, MS, PhD, DACVP b ,
Roger K. Maes , DVM, PhD c

Begin Quote:
"A novel coronavirus of ferrets was first described in 1993. This
coronavirus caused an enteric disease called epizootic catarrhal
enteritis (ECE). Recently, a ferret systemic coronavirus
(FRSCV)-associated disease was discovered. This new systemic disease
resembles the dry form of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and has
been reported in the United States and Europe. This article addresses
the clinical signs, pathology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment,
and prevention of this ferret FIP-like disease."
Keywords : Ferret , Coronavirus , Hypergammaglobulinemia , Granuloma ,
Feline infectious peritonitis , Mustela putorius furo

<http://www.vetexotic.theclinics.com/article/S1094-9194(10)00072-1/abstract>



Disseminated Idiopathic Myofasciitis in Ferrets

Katrina D. Ramsell , PhD, DVM a , Michael M. Garner , DVM, DACVP b

Begin Quote:
"First described in 2003, disseminated idiopathic myofasciitis (DIM)
has emerged as a new disease in young, domestic ferrets. DIM is a
severe inflammatory condition that affects primarily muscles and
surrounding connective tissues. The disease is characterized by rapid
onset of clinical signs, high fever, neutrophilic leukocytosis, and
general lack of response to therapeutic intervention. Until recently
DIM was considered fatal, but a few surviving ferrets indicate there
may be an effective treatment protocol. DIM is suspected to be an
immune-mediated disease, but the etiopathogenesis is not known. This
article reviews clinical and pathologic findings in DIM patients,
covers recommended diagnostic procedures and clinical management of
ferrets with DIM, and discusses potential etiologies for this newly
recognized disease in ferrets."
Keywords : Ferrets , Myofasciitis , Polymyositis , Myositis ,
Neutrophilia

<http://www.vetexotic.theclinics.com/article/S1094-9194(10)00073-3/abstract>

[Posted in FML 6778]