Ferret abdominal surgical procedures. Part I. Adrenal gland and pancreaticbeta-cell tumors

With the increasing popularity of ferrets as pets, veterinarians are being asked to perform surgical procedures on these animals that they have previo usly performed only on dogs and cats. This two-part article discusses commo n problems in ferrets that require abdominal surgery and the proper surgica l management of these conditions. Variations in ferret anatomy and pertinen t disease pathophysiology are also described. Part I covers adrenal gland d isease, paraurethral and prostatic cysts, and pancreatic beta-cell tumors. Part II will discuss surgical techniques related to treatment of gastrointe stinal foreign bodies, splenomegaly, liver biopsy, cystotomy, and ovariohys terectomy.