Post by Forum Administrator on May 26, 2009 2:53:50 GMT -5
PLEASE NOTE: This article is in the process of being written. There may be factually incorrect information below. I am still in the process of writing and this is simply a ROUGH DRAFT. Please utilize the links to various writings on this topic until this article has been finalized. You can find the index of links below.
What is it?[/size][/b]
Adrenal disease in ferrets is, essentially, tumors on the adrenaline gland or glands. Adrenal disease was first diagnosed in a male ferret in the late 1980s. Since then, this disease has become the most commonly diagnosed clinical condition among domestic ferrets in North America. Its is most commonly diagnosed in ferrets over three years old, though it can occur at any age. Adrenal disease is the most common cause of hairloss in ferrets, though hairloss can certainly occur due to other reasons.
Something to note is that adrenal disease in ferrets is different from adrenal disease in dogs, cats, and humans.
Tumors on these glands can take on several forms. The first form is hyperplasia. Hyperplasia really isn't a tumor, just excessive growth of the adrenocortical tissue. You could say that these cells are a little "funky" but its not a tumor. At this stage, the adrenal glands still function normally.
The next type of tumor (and in this case, it really is a tumor) is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor. This is an enlargement of the adrenal glands. With a benign tumor present, the adrenal gland(s) may begin to lose their normal function, and you will often notice various symptoms beginning to occur in the ferret. These symptoms are discussed in detail, below.
The last type of tumor that can be present is a carcinoma (cancer). This causes an enlargement of the adrenals, just like a benign tumor. With a carcinoma present, the glands no longer function normally and in severe cases, the gland itself could rupture. Luckily, carcinomas respond well to surgical excision (removal) and rarely metastasize, or spread, to other organs.
What are the adrenal glands anyway?[/size][/b]
For an excellent description of the exact purpose of the adrenaline glands, please check out the link below. This article is written by renowned "ferret expert", Bob Church:
www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/adrenal.html#adrenal_gland
What causes it?[/size][/b]
No one is absolutely sure of the cause of adrenal disease but there are likely several contributing factors. The first two factors in a way, work together.
Early Spay/Neutering and High Exposure to Natural and Artificial Light
In North America, neutering occurs as early as six weeks of age in ferrets raised on "ferret farms", large scale commercial ferret breeding operations. This practice could potentially lead to adrenal disease later in life.
When the ferret is developing in its mother's womb, the adrenal glands and gonads (sex organs) are very close together. During development, undifferentiated gonadal cells may migrate in the embryo to the adrenal glands. These undifferentiated cells may later become functional steroidogenic cells.
Thus, the cells in the adrenals are overstimulated because there are no gonads for the brain's signals to go to. Over time, the excess hormonal secretion, lack of negative feedback control, and an increase in leutenizing hormone (LH) likely leads to hyperplasia or tumor formation on the adrenal glands.
Another possible cause of adrenal gland diease in ferrets is genetics. While there are reports that show a possible link between early spay/neuter and this disease, there are other reports that don't indicate such a high correlation between early alter and adrenal gland disease. There very well could be a genetic component to this disease. Another thing to note is that ferrets in North America are very inbred, with very little genetic diversity present. This could lead to possible health complications, including adrenal gland disease.
What are the symptoms?[/size][/b]
There are varius symptoms of adrenal disease. Though a ferret can have adrenal disease without exhibiting any outward symptoms at all. Usually as the disease progresses, ferrets develop atleast one (and sometimes all) of the symptoms listed below:
1. Symmetrical hair-loss or thinning of hair that begins at the tip of the tail or the haunches, and progresses upwards towards the back. In advanced cases, a ferret can become totally bald with no hair remaining except for a small amount on the head and feet.
2. Loss of muscle mass/weight loss
3. A pot-bellied appearence
4. Thin, dry, or translucent skin
5. Excessive water consumption
6. Enlarged vulva in females, with or without discharge
7. Enlarged prostated gland in males that can lead to difficulties or inability to urinate
8. Agression
9. Mating behavior
10. Excessive licking of self, cagemates, owners, and objects
11. Anemia
12. In advanced cases, difficulty using the hind legs.
How is it diagnosed?[/size][/b]
What are the treatment options?[/size][/b]
Is there any way to prevent it?[/size][/b]
What is the general prognosis for a ferret with adrenal disease (ad)?[/size][/b]
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets: Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Disease, By Lianne McLeod, DVM
exoticpets.about.com/cs/ferrets/a/ferretadrenal.htm
Ferret Adrenal Disease FAQ, from Ferretcentral.com[/i][/color]
www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/adrenal.html
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets, by Erika Matulich
www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Adrenal.htm
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets, by Heidi L. Hoefer, DVM, ABVP
www.heidihoefer.com/pages/ferrets/ferret_adrenal_disease.htm
Adrenal Disease in Domestic Ferrets: An Overview by,
Lauren W. Johnson, DVM; Juliet Gladden, DVM; and Kenneth S. Latimer, DVM, PhD
www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/johnson/index.php
Adrenal Disease Basics, by Micheal F. Janke
www.miamiferret.org/basics.htm
Adrenal Disease In The Ferret, by Dr. Kemmerer Cottrell
www.miamiferret.org/adrenal.htm
Adrenal Cryosurgery, by Dr. Charles Weiss
www.miamiferret.org/cryosurgery.htm
Ferret Adrenal Disease Info, from Long Beach Animal Hosp.
www.lbah.com/ferrets/adrenal_disease.htm
Adrenal Disease, by Bob Church
www.miamiferret.org/church.htm
Adrenal Disease and the Therapeutic Effect of Lupron, by John Hines
www.miamiferret.org/lupron.htm
24 Hour Lupron, by Micheal F. Janke
www.miamiferret.org/24hr_lupron.htm
Lupron Demystified, by Charles Weiss, DVM
www.miamiferret.org/about_lupron.htm
Melatonin treatment of hyperadrenocorticism, by Micheal F. Janke
www.miamiferret.org/melatonin.htm
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets: Causes, Signs, Treatment, and Prevention, by Kristen Onasch
www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/adrenal-disease-in-ferrets-causes-signs-treatment-prevention-389534.html
Adrenal Disease Info, from FerretUniverse.com
www.ferret-universe.com/health/adrenal.asp
Adrenal Disese (Hyperadrenocortocism) in the Domestic Ferret:
What is it?[/size][/b]
Adrenal disease in ferrets is, essentially, tumors on the adrenaline gland or glands. Adrenal disease was first diagnosed in a male ferret in the late 1980s. Since then, this disease has become the most commonly diagnosed clinical condition among domestic ferrets in North America. Its is most commonly diagnosed in ferrets over three years old, though it can occur at any age. Adrenal disease is the most common cause of hairloss in ferrets, though hairloss can certainly occur due to other reasons.
Something to note is that adrenal disease in ferrets is different from adrenal disease in dogs, cats, and humans.
Tumors on these glands can take on several forms. The first form is hyperplasia. Hyperplasia really isn't a tumor, just excessive growth of the adrenocortical tissue. You could say that these cells are a little "funky" but its not a tumor. At this stage, the adrenal glands still function normally.
The next type of tumor (and in this case, it really is a tumor) is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor. This is an enlargement of the adrenal glands. With a benign tumor present, the adrenal gland(s) may begin to lose their normal function, and you will often notice various symptoms beginning to occur in the ferret. These symptoms are discussed in detail, below.
The last type of tumor that can be present is a carcinoma (cancer). This causes an enlargement of the adrenals, just like a benign tumor. With a carcinoma present, the glands no longer function normally and in severe cases, the gland itself could rupture. Luckily, carcinomas respond well to surgical excision (removal) and rarely metastasize, or spread, to other organs.
What are the adrenal glands anyway?[/size][/b]
For an excellent description of the exact purpose of the adrenaline glands, please check out the link below. This article is written by renowned "ferret expert", Bob Church:
www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/adrenal.html#adrenal_gland
What causes it?[/size][/b]
No one is absolutely sure of the cause of adrenal disease but there are likely several contributing factors. The first two factors in a way, work together.
Early Spay/Neutering and High Exposure to Natural and Artificial Light
In North America, neutering occurs as early as six weeks of age in ferrets raised on "ferret farms", large scale commercial ferret breeding operations. This practice could potentially lead to adrenal disease later in life.
When the ferret is developing in its mother's womb, the adrenal glands and gonads (sex organs) are very close together. During development, undifferentiated gonadal cells may migrate in the embryo to the adrenal glands. These undifferentiated cells may later become functional steroidogenic cells.
Thus, the cells in the adrenals are overstimulated because there are no gonads for the brain's signals to go to. Over time, the excess hormonal secretion, lack of negative feedback control, and an increase in leutenizing hormone (LH) likely leads to hyperplasia or tumor formation on the adrenal glands.
Another possible cause of adrenal gland diease in ferrets is genetics. While there are reports that show a possible link between early spay/neuter and this disease, there are other reports that don't indicate such a high correlation between early alter and adrenal gland disease. There very well could be a genetic component to this disease. Another thing to note is that ferrets in North America are very inbred, with very little genetic diversity present. This could lead to possible health complications, including adrenal gland disease.
What are the symptoms?[/size][/b]
There are varius symptoms of adrenal disease. Though a ferret can have adrenal disease without exhibiting any outward symptoms at all. Usually as the disease progresses, ferrets develop atleast one (and sometimes all) of the symptoms listed below:
1. Symmetrical hair-loss or thinning of hair that begins at the tip of the tail or the haunches, and progresses upwards towards the back. In advanced cases, a ferret can become totally bald with no hair remaining except for a small amount on the head and feet.
2. Loss of muscle mass/weight loss
3. A pot-bellied appearence
4. Thin, dry, or translucent skin
5. Excessive water consumption
6. Enlarged vulva in females, with or without discharge
7. Enlarged prostated gland in males that can lead to difficulties or inability to urinate
8. Agression
9. Mating behavior
10. Excessive licking of self, cagemates, owners, and objects
11. Anemia
12. In advanced cases, difficulty using the hind legs.
How is it diagnosed?[/size][/b]
What are the treatment options?[/size][/b]
Is there any way to prevent it?[/size][/b]
What is the general prognosis for a ferret with adrenal disease (ad)?[/size][/b]
Index of Articles on Adrenal Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism) in the Ferret
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets: Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Disease, By Lianne McLeod, DVM
exoticpets.about.com/cs/ferrets/a/ferretadrenal.htm
Ferret Adrenal Disease FAQ, from Ferretcentral.com[/i][/color]
www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/adrenal.html
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets, by Erika Matulich
www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Adrenal.htm
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets, by Heidi L. Hoefer, DVM, ABVP
www.heidihoefer.com/pages/ferrets/ferret_adrenal_disease.htm
Adrenal Disease in Domestic Ferrets: An Overview by,
Lauren W. Johnson, DVM; Juliet Gladden, DVM; and Kenneth S. Latimer, DVM, PhD
www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/johnson/index.php
Adrenal Disease Basics, by Micheal F. Janke
www.miamiferret.org/basics.htm
Adrenal Disease In The Ferret, by Dr. Kemmerer Cottrell
www.miamiferret.org/adrenal.htm
Adrenal Cryosurgery, by Dr. Charles Weiss
www.miamiferret.org/cryosurgery.htm
Ferret Adrenal Disease Info, from Long Beach Animal Hosp.
www.lbah.com/ferrets/adrenal_disease.htm
Adrenal Disease, by Bob Church
www.miamiferret.org/church.htm
Adrenal Disease and the Therapeutic Effect of Lupron, by John Hines
www.miamiferret.org/lupron.htm
24 Hour Lupron, by Micheal F. Janke
www.miamiferret.org/24hr_lupron.htm
Lupron Demystified, by Charles Weiss, DVM
www.miamiferret.org/about_lupron.htm
Melatonin treatment of hyperadrenocorticism, by Micheal F. Janke
www.miamiferret.org/melatonin.htm
Adrenal Disease in Ferrets: Causes, Signs, Treatment, and Prevention, by Kristen Onasch
www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/adrenal-disease-in-ferrets-causes-signs-treatment-prevention-389534.html
Adrenal Disease Info, from FerretUniverse.com
www.ferret-universe.com/health/adrenal.asp