Adrenal Disease In Ferrets - Symptoms And Treatments

Ferrets, generally old and over three years old or even much young may be victim of (hyperadrenocorticism) as adrenal glands secrete large quantity of hormones because of some growth or tumour or lesion on the adrenal glands.

Causes behind the Adrenal Disease may be traced in the genetics or in different factors together as they have not yet been properly identified. Spaying and neutering the ferrets at an early age may build some ground for such adrenal problem when they attain sexual maturity. There is one more important reason for the adrenal gland cancer among the ferrets. Right quantity of melatonin balances the stimulation in the adrenal glands of the ferrets. But as they are exposed to day light and artificial light for much more than twelve hours every day, melatonin is produced much less than what is required.

Symptoms of Adrenal Disease among the ferrets are also varied in number and some of the symptoms may point to the possible adrenal cancer, but it is generally hard to confirm. Location of the tumour determines if hormones have been produced in excess. Symptoms also vary with the types of hormones produced in excess.

Loss of hair, mainly on the belly and on the feet or at the base of the tail, is an indicator of the adrenal cancer of the ferrets although there are other reasons for their loss of hair. Again the age of the ferret should be considered seriously.

Some of the symptoms that the veterinarians instruct to observe and count seriously:

a) Hair loss
b) Thinning hair
c) Increased thirst and increased urination
d) Loss in weight due to reduction in the muscles along with the bulged out belly
e) Loss of appetite
f) Enlargement of prostate gland causing problems in urination
g) Lethargy
h) Skin becoming glossy and with sores and thus prompting the ferret to unusual scratching and itching
i) Increase in musky body odour
j) Ear sucking and self-grooming
k) Sudden change in the neutered males which show excessive sexual urge
l) Swollen vulva in spayed females
m) Weakness in the back limbs at the advanced stage

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Veterinarians generally depend on the lifetime experience to determine if a ferret is really a patient of Adrenal cancer. On the other hand, it is easier to detect if the disease is in its advanced stage. Ferrets may suffer from adrenal disease for a long time before actually showing symptoms. The physician may advise for some clinical test, namely, Tennessee Panel or Radiographs and Ultrasounds. Tennessee Panel is a blood test to ascertain the levels of hormones and steroid production. Still none of these tests may be the highway for an understanding of hundred percents perfection.

A knowledgeable veterinarian will move for the removal of the tumour in full as this one is the most common and the best treatment. It may happen that the ferret has got a tumour in the second gland after the one in the first gland has been operated. Surgery in the second gland is not generally preferred by the physicians. Removal of both the glands may lead to Addison's disease which means total deficiency of the hormones made in the adrenal glands. The physician will measure the risk factors and may move to the medicinal treatment.

Usually surgery is avoided if it does not benefit the ferret concerned. The ferret may have other physical problem. Lupron may be charged in one, at three and four months of interval. The tumour may be shrunk and in such case the symptoms may disappear. Lupron must be charged regularly even the signs of the tumour are no more observed. Melatonin must also be charged orally as liquid or pill and rightly between seven to nine hours after the sunrise. Melatonin is really beneficial. There are other medicines and in most of the cases they develop side effects and are not advised by the physicians.

One must not get scared if a ferret is found to be afflicted by the adrenal disease. It is possible to take care of the health of the ferret if the treatment is sought and accepted at the right moment. And this is indeed better than leaving the beautiful pet to suffer and finally die.

About the Author:

Brotee Mukhopadhyay

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