ADRENAL NEOPLASIA IN 7 FERRETS

Medical records from 7 ferrets presented to the VMTH with histological ly confirmed adrenal neoplasia were reviewed. Three neutered female fe rrets had adrenal cortical adenoma; four ferrets (2 neutered females, 2 neutered males) had adrenal cortical carcinoma. Ultrasound identifie d unilateral enlargement or abnormal shape of the adrenal gland in all ferrets. Only 1 ferret had adrenomegaly on abdominal radiographs. Adr enomegaly was identified in 1 ferret by magnetic resonance imaging (MR I). All ferrets were treated by adrenalectomy followed by a tapered do se of prednisone. Surgical complications were limited to fatal hemorrh age from the caudal vena cava in 1 ferret. Remission of clinical signs occurred in all 6 ferrets which survived surgery. The time of follow up varied from 3 to 16 months. The 3 ferrets with adrenal adenomas wer e still alive 3 to 7 months after surgery. All 3 ferrets with adrenal carcinoma developed metastasis and were euthanized from 2 to 16 months after surgery.