EVALUATION OF URINARY CORTISOL-CREATININE RATIOS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OFHYPERADRENOCORTICISM ASSOCIATED WITH ADRENAL-GLAND TUMORS IN FERRETS

Assays were validated for the measurement of urinary concentrations of cortisol and creatinine in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Urinary concentrations of cortisol and creatinine and the calculated u rinary cortisol:creatinine ratio (UCCR) values were determined for 29 clinically normal female ferrets, 22 clinically normal male ferrets, a nd 12 ferrets with adrenal gland tumors. The UCCR values for the 51 cl inically normal ferrets ranged from 0.04 x 10(-6) to 1.66 x 10(-6), wi th a median value of 0.22 x 10(-6). The UCCR values were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) higher in the 12 ferrets with adrenal tumors, with a range of 0.5 x 10(-6) to 60.13 x 10(-6) and a median of 5.98 x 10(-6). We concluded that determination of UCCR values was use ful in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism associated with adrenal n eoplasia in domestic ferrets.