7 - Endocrine Diseases of Ferrets

Abstract

Endocrine diseases, especially insulinomas and adrenocortical neoplasms, are commonly seen in ferrets. Another well-known endocrine disorder in ferrets is persistent estrus in nonneutered female ferrets (jills). Jills become and remain in estrus when daylight lasts for a longer period than 12 hours per day. Estrogen-induced bone marrow suppression and thus pancytopenia may occur during this prolonged period of estrus. Neutering is therefore recommended in any ferret that is not bred. There is evidence, though, that surgical neutering plays a role in the development of adrenal neoplasia, thereby explaining the high incidence of hyperadrenocorticism in pet ferrets. Less common endocrine diseases in ferrets are (spontaneous) diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism. Endocrine diseases that have, thus far, not been described in ferrets include growth hormone deficiency or growth hormone excess, diabetes insipidus, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and spontaneous hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease). Excluding these diseases from a differential diagnosis list, however, is not recommended because new cases are reported regularly. Examples include the case report on a C-cell carcinoma and a case of pseudohypothyroidism seen in ferrets. It is therefore recommended to perform the diagnostic workup for each type of endocrine disease when the clinical signs seen in a ferret correspond with those seen in dogs or cats with the aforementioned endocrine diseases.