http://www.nih.gov/news/health/nov2013/nichd-27.htm

This is NOT the same as ferret adrenal disease, BUT it may give an idea
of another location to look for mutations, if this genetic location and
allele variants are not now among the ones currently being researched,
which perhaps can make the formation of ferret adrenal disease more
likely, too.

The mechanism for formation of most adrenal tumors is well known. Most
appear in neutered ferrets several years after neutering with too much
LH exposure for too long, BUT a very large portion of neutered ferrets
do not get adrenal disease, some whole ferrets get adrenal disease, and
since fancies have been more common adrenal disease before ages five
or six has been described more often plus the rate of adrenal disease
itself seems increased in neutered domestic ferrets compared to decades
ago.

That means there are variations to understand, and a lot has already
been eliminated as possible contributors.

Cases like those of the rare young, whole ferrets who form adrenal
tumors "stink of genetics" as Dr. Michelle Hawkins is prone to saying.
That is far from common, but it has been documented as occurring with
some ferrets, while other ferrets may have less aggressive genetic
vulnerabilities.

Some of the things involved may be husbandry changes involving too
little darkness like using those green and blue equipment lights since
reductions in natural melatonin production in the body during darkness
increases LH output -- which is why providing enough access to darkness
may be good and may be why In conversations some southern U.S. vets
seem to encounter higher rates than some northern ones, but some of
the variation may very, very likely be genetics.

Doctor Bob Wagner has a paper out on one genetic variant found in
some U.S. domestic ferrets which reduces the ability to fight off
the formation of endocrinological tumors in general (so can also be
insulinoma related) and Doctor Michelle Hawkins is researching some
other possible genetic contributors.

Meanwhile, people can just do the things demonstrated to help like
getting Suprelorin implants once a year for possible prevention or
delay of the disease, follow new work like the hormonal vaccine work
of Doctors Wagner and Fisher, anticipate upcoming research with joy,
try providing good access to dark areas, etc.

If a light must be used ever at night then stick to amber ones. That
wavelength range disrupts melatonin production the least. Blue
wavelengths are the worst, followed be green. BTW, there is human
work indicating that this is best for some malignancy patients, too,
including ones with hormonal malignancies and ones with lymphoma.

Veterinarians can buy Suprelorin implants from Virbac. Ours get that
each late Winter/early Spring, usually in February or March.

[Posted in FML 7974]