Adrenal Disease in Ferrets: Symptoms & Treatment

Ferrets are particularly prone to adrenal disease, though it is rare in other animals. Symptoms develop over a few weeks to months and, if left untreated, adrenal disease has the potential to be fatal.

Though we are not entirely sure why it happens, there are several theories. It is middle-aged and older ferrets that tend to be affected. Tumours on the adrenal glands release an excess of sex hormones, which cause a wide range of signs.

What Is Adrenal Disease in Ferrets?

Ferret adrenal disease results from an excess of sex hormones released from adrenal tumour cells. About one in four ferrets will develop this cancer over the course of their lifetime.

What Causes Adrenal Disease in Ferrets?

There are several theories as to the actual triggers for adrenal disease, and why this is such a prevalent condition in ferrets.

Adrenocortical Tumours and Neoplastic Cell Growth

Adenomas and adenocarcinomas are the most common type of tumours that we see develop on the ferrets’ adrenal glands.

The Role of Hormones and the Endocrine System

The adrenal glands are a vital part of the hormonal system. They regulate stress and sex hormones, including cortisol and steroids.

For ferrets, it is an overproduction of sex hormones from the adrenal glands that we see so commonly. They release excessive levels of hormones including oestrogen and testosterone in excess.

Age and Early Neutering as Risk Factors

After neutering, there is an increased concentration of gonadotrophins in the blood (hormone proteins produced by the pituitary gland that regulate the ovaries and testes). They stimulate the adrenal cortex, which is thought to lead to the tumours developing and/or hypertrophy of the glands over time.

What Are the Signs of Adrenal Disease in Ferrets?

You may not notice the new signs right away. However, as the weeks pass, they become more noticeable.

Hair Loss and Changes to the Skin and Body

The fur is lost in a symmetrical pattern, meaning the same amount is lost on each side. Unlike with allergic skin disease or parasites, the ferret is not itchy. Similarly, the skin is not red or crusty but looks quite normal.

Fur loss generally starts over the rump and tail. For many, the skin becomes thin too. This means it can be fragile, easy to bruise, and wrinkled.

Hormonal Signs in Male and Female Ferrets

In females, both the vulva and mammary glands become swollen. There can also be discharge from the vulva.

For males, an enlarged prostate can lead to difficulty passing urine and stool and there may also be prostatic abscesses.

Both sexes can become aggressive and many owners describe a personality change.

Lethargy, Muscle Wasting and Other Symptoms

Muscles can atrophy (waste away), which may lead to a belly that appears swollen. Some ferrets will be lethargic and less willing to engage with you.

For some pet ferrets, there can also be an increased thirst and urination. You may notice the water dish needs to be filled more frequently and the litter needs more regular changing. However, this is not usually a primary symptom.

Is Adrenal Disease in Ferrets an Emergency?

Adrenal disease is certainly very serious, and it is a disease that progresses with time. While it would not be an emergency in the earlier stages, it has the potential to be life-threatening and can create emergency situations.

When Symptoms Require Urgent Veterinary Attention

If a male ferret is having trouble passing urine or not passing any urine at all, this can lead to acute kidney failure and shock, and does require an immediate visit to the emergency vet.

How Quickly Should You Act?

A ferret who cannot pass urine, or who seems very unwell, should be seen right away. This means an out of hours vet care, if they become poorly during the night or at the weekend.

How Is Adrenal Disease in Ferrets Diagnosed?

Your vet will be suspicious of adrenal disease if you have a ferret that is middle-aged or older with symmetrical fur loss over their tail.

Clinical Examination and History Taking

The veterinary exam will include a physical check from nose to tail and your vet will want to know about any recent changes you’ve noticed. They’ll also be keen to hear at what age your ferret was neutered.

Blood Tests and Assessment of Hormone Levels

There is the option to run blood tests, but results are not always straightforward and can mimic other conditions (such as ovarian remnant syndrome in females). For this reason, blood tests are not always pursued.

Imaging and Further Diagnostic Tests

Imaging of the adrenal glands with an ultrasound is very informative and non-invasive. We can search to see if either adrenal gland looks large or abnormal. However, it can take a very experienced vet or specialist to spot the small adrenal tumours.

This diagnostic test can usually be performed in a conscious ferret and is relatively inexpensive, which is typically why it is performed instead of an MRI or CT scan.

How Is Adrenal Disease in Ferrets Treated?

There are a few considerations when it comes to the therapy of adrenal disease in ferrets.

Surgical Removal of the Affected Adrenal Gland

When just one adrenal gland is affected, your veterinary surgeon may discuss removing it and keeping the normal one. Due to the anatomy of the ferret, removal of the right gland is a more complicated surgery and there is less chance of a successful removal on this side.

Deslorelin Implants for Hormonal Management

The Delorelin implant is designed to slowly reduce the secretion of the sex hormones and stimulation of the adrenal glands. The implant is injected under the skin and symptoms resolve within about a month.

Keep in mind, this does not address or treat the tumours. Still, most vets use them as a primary line of therapy as they are easy to use and widely available.

Medical Treatments: Lupron and Melatonin

Lupron is a depot injection that lasts for one to three months, and must then be repeated once effects have worn off. It is somewhat less in favour in comparison to Deslorelin, as it needs repeating more often, making it less convenient.

Melatonin can be supplemented via daily tablets or liquid, or less commonly, as an injectable implant. It is based on the premise that ferrets are ‘long-day breeders’. The melatonin mimics shorter day length and reduces the production of sex hormones.

Managing Pancreatic and Associated Conditions

Both adrenal disease and insulinomas (pancreatic tumours) are common in ferrets who are middle-aged and older. Vets often will screen for an insulinoma when the ferret presents to them, to see if this would need managing too.

Can Ferrets Recover From Adrenal Disease?

Adrenal disease is usually not something we aim to cure, but it can be well managed for the majority.

What Affects Recovery After Surgery or Treatment?

Recovery is largely dependent on the therapy used and the ferret’s general health, which is influenced by:

• Their age
• The presence of any other underlying disease, such as an insulinoma or lymphoma
• How long they have been unwell before treatment starts

Long-Term Management and Monitoring

Most ferrets can live for a year or two post diagnosis, but they require regular veterinary check ups and treatment is ongoing. As there are several therapy options, many of which are minimally invasive, this is a disease that we can typically control well and that has a good outcome.

Get Veterinary Care for Your Ferret

If you require emergency veterinary care for your ferret, or suspect they may be unwell, you can contact us here.

Adrenal Disease in Ferrets: FAQs

What are the first signs of adrenal disease in ferrets?

Early signs usually include progressive fur loss beginning at the rump, a swollen vulva in jills who are spayed, and increased aggression.

Is adrenal disease common in ferrets?

Adrenal disease affects up to 25% of all ferrets, so it is extremely common.

Can female ferrets develop adrenal disease?

Absolutely, both males and females can be affected equally, with signs often developing around age three or four.

How is a deslorelin implant different from Lupron?

The Deslorelin implant (Suprelorin) is a physical implant which can last over two years. Leuprolide (Lupron) requires monthly injections. Both are GnRH agonists that stop sex hormone production.

What is the life expectancy for a ferret with adrenal disease?

Life expectancy from diagnosis is about 1-2 years, when well managed.