What has been termed as adrenal tumors in ferrets actually include adrenal gland hyperplasia, adrenal adenoma (benign), and carcinoma (malignant tumors with potential to spread to other organs). Unfortunately, there is not any test to distinguish between these different adrenal gland lesions. The clinical signs of adrenal gland problems are exactly the same. The good news is carcinomas are rare.

Clinical Signs

Adrenal lesions may be seen in animals ranging from one to seven years of age, with the average age being around 3.5 years. Clinical signs include:

• Hair loss is the most common sign. Hair loss often begins at the tail. If left unchecked, the hair loss will progress forward over the trunk, flanks, and abdomen, until hair is only present on the neck, head, and the extremities.

• Spayed females appear to be in heat with the vulva often becoming swollen.

• Males may have difficulty urinating due to cysts forming in and around the prostate.

• Increased scratching

• Excessive drinking and urination

• Anemia

• Weight loss

Diagnosis

Generally, adrenal lesions are diagnosed based on clinical signs. In cases where the diagnosis is unclear, hormonal studies may be done to help with the diagnosis.

Treatment

While different medical treatment treatments are available, overall they have not produced as good of results as surgery. Surgery involves the removal of the affected gland. Most often only one gland is affected with the majority of those being the left gland. In most cases, all clinical signs will resolve with surgery. As with any ferret surgery, they should be evaluated for tumors in other organs.

Misinformation

It has been reported by some individuals that hair loss is only cosmetic and there is not a need to correct this disease process. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ferrets with adrenal lesions do not just lose their hair. Over time they also lose muscle mass, and have a marked decrease in energy. While the lesions are not always life threatening, their clinical manifestations are debilitating and greatly decrease the quality of a ferret's life. I have seen ferrets develop anemia (low blood volume) resulting in death. Adrenal disease in the ferret is common, and should be treated.