Hj. Lawrence et al., UNILATERAL ADRENALECTOMY AS A TREATMENT FOR ADRENOCORTICAL TUMORS IN FERRETS - 5 CASES (1990-1992), Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 203(2), 1993, pp. 267-270
Adrenocortical tumors were diagnosed in 5 adult spayed ferrets. Four f
errets had bilaterally symmetrical alopecia of the caudal femoral regi
on, abdomen, and tail, and 1 had alopecia of the distal limbs and feet
. All 5 ferrets had vulvar swelling. During abdominal ultrasonography,
irregular masses, believed to involve the adrenal glands, were seen i
n all 5 ferrets. Unilateral adrenalectomy was performed successfully i
n each ferret by use of ventral midline celiotomy. On histologic exami
nation of biopsy samples, 4 ferrets were found to have adrenocortical
adenomas, and 1 ferret was found to have an adrenocortical adenocarcin
oma. All clinical signs resolved after adrenalectomy, suggesting that
the adrenocortical tumors had been secreting adrenocortical hormones.