>From: Jay V <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Fur loss > >Perhaps he (and anyone with extensive experience with this problem) will >do a post on adrenal tumors in ferrets? I would not ask, but it seems >to be such a common problem that I'm probably not the only ferret-owner >interested. I'm not a vet, but I have had a bit of experience with adrenal disease, having had five ferrets with the disease. I have also read probably every word ever written on the disease and though I don't always fully understand when the article gets too heavy into medical terminology, I have a fair grasp of what's going on. Trying to keep my "Adrenal and Insulinoma in the domestic ferret" website up to date also keeps me on top of the subject. Up to 70% of all ferrets in the U.S. will develop adrenal disease [Dr. Weiss] and it is one of the most common diseases (right up there with insulinoma) we face with our ferrets, so you are right in that regard. The most common symptom of adrenal disease is progressive alopecia (hair loss). Over 90% of ferrets with adrenal disease will have some hair loss [Dr. Rosenthal] and over 70% of female ferrets will have an enlarged vulva [Dr. Rosenthal]. Hair loss often begins on the rump, across the shoulders or the tops of the feet. But hair loss is certainly not restricted to these areas and can begin elsewhere. The hair loss is rarely sudden (it may appear so if one is not paying attention) so if your ferret has "suddenly" lost hair, there may be other causes, which are not common. Generally, hair loss begins so slowly that one is often in denial that hair loss is actually occurring. Been there, done that just about every time with mine. Eventually it becomes quite obvious that there is a problem. Radiographs (x-rays) are generally not useful in detecting adrenal tumors. Ultrasound can be useful, but this can return mixed results too. I can personally report that two of my ferrets with adrenal problems would not have been detected by either method. Both had adrenal tissue that was abnormal, but neither gland was noticeably enlarged. There is also an adrenal blood panel that can be run by the Endocrinology lab at the University of Tennessee. This can be useful in questionable cases, such as when the only signs are aggression or a return to sexual behavior. In my experience, the vast majority of cases can be successfully diagnosed based on symptoms (hair loss, swollen vulva) alone and money need not be spent on the adrenal blood panel. Surgery to remove the affected gland is without a doubt the best course of action. Ferrets are tough little critters and even older ferrets, in the hands of an experienced surgeon, can have adrenal surgery and recover quite well. As you mentioned, there are risks with any surgery. Dr. Williams has recently pointed out that hypothermia is a major concern during surgical procedures on ferrets. For ferrets that are not good surgical candidates, the next best treatment is with Lupron. This does not cure the disease, but is very effective in relieving the symptoms. Lysodren (Mitotane) has been used by some with some success, but I personally have not had any success with it and it carries its own problems. Lysodren is targeted at a different type of adrenal problem that affects dogs (and humans I believe) and is not the best course of treatment for ferrets. I am sure that more than a few people here will respond that they are using it on their ferrets with good results. As for the gland itself... the affected gland may have a malignancy, but in the cases where it does, there is rarely any metastasis. Removal of the gland is usually curative, though many times, symptoms will return within a year, indicating a problem in the other gland. There are some that have had adrenal surgery performed, one gland removed and no relief of symptoms resulted. This would seem indicate the other gland is affected even though it had a normal appearance. Of course this is not always the case, just my personal experience and that of others. Adrenal disease may appear to be a cosmetic disease due to the most common symptom of hair loss, but it is not that simple and should not be left untreated. Male ferrets can develop life-threatening urinary blockages due to prostate enlargement and long term vulva swelling in females is an invitation for infection. Of course there are other problems that may present themselves: thinning of muscle mass and skin, osteoporosis [Bob Church], pruritis (itchy skin), excessive water intake, aggression, lethargy, etc. Note that in untreated ferrets, hair loss is often cyclic. Many people have reported their ferrets growing back their hair for no apparent reason. No treatment was provided or they've used some magic remedy and their ferret appears to be cured. Sadly, this is often short lived and usually seasonal. Ferrets who grow back their hair for no reason will almost certainly lose it again within the next six months or during the next coat change. This cycle can often repeat a few times, but eventually it will get to a point where the symptoms are there to stay until the ferret is treated for the disease. There are a million other things that can be and have been said about adrenal disease. I hope the little bit of info and opinion that I've provided will be useful. For the ferrets, Mike * Michael F. Janke, [log in to unmask] * South Florida Ferret Help Line, 305-752-7040 * * Website: http://www.miamiferret.org * Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc [Posted in FML issue 3235]