Diseases of the Endocrine System

Chapter 16 Diseases of the Endocrine System



THE FERRET


Endocrine disease is common in older ferrets. The organs affected include the pancreas and the adrenal glands. Estrogen excess is covered in Chapter 22.



Adrenal Disease


Adrenal gland disease (hyperplasia, adenoma, or adenocarcinoma) is the most common endocrine problem in older ferrets. Clinical signs include a progressive, symmetric, pruritic alopecia that begins in the rump area and spreads cranially and ventrally (Fig. 16-1). The disease affects both male and female ferrets, with female ferrets being overrepresented. It is estimated that about 70% of female ferrets with adrenal disease will also exhibit vulvar enlargement, and that male ferrets may experience urinary blockage from cystic tissue in the region of the prostate. Surgical treatment is preferred but medical treatment is available, although the prognosis with medical treatment is unpredictable.


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Figure 16-1 Hair loss seen in a ferret with adrenocortical tumor.


(From Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW: Ferrets, rabbits, and rodents, ed 2, St Louis, 2004, Saunders, by permission.)



CLINICAL SIGNS



• Progressive alopecia

• +/− Pruritus

• +/− Enlarged vulva (female) or urinary dysuria or obstruction (male)


DIAGNOSIS



• Clinical signs and physical examination, history

• Complete blood cell count (CBC) and serum chemistries: may be normal or may show anemia or a pancytopenia in severe cases; chemistries usually normal

• Radiography: usually not helpful

• Ultrasound: should detect enlarged adrenal gland(s)

• Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Serum concentrations of steroid hormones will show increased levels of estradiol, androstenedione, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone.

• Clinical Endocrinology Laboratory, University of Tennessee: best for diagnosis


TREATMENT



• Surgical removal of the diseased gland is treatment of choice

• Medical treatment for nonsurgical candidates *:
• Treatments commonly used in dogs may be ineffective in ferrets:
Mitotane (Lysodren): rarely successful with adrenal tumors

Flutamide (Eulexin): androgen receptor blocker

Anastrozole (Arimidex): aromatase inhibitor blocks estrogen production

Leuprolide (Lupron): gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs


INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS



• Adrenal disease is a disease of older neutered ferrets.

• Surgical treatment will give the best chance for a favorable prognosis. This surgery is not routine and will require a surgical specialist.

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Aug 31, 2016 | Posted by in GENERAL | Comments Off on Diseases of the Endocrine System
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