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]