CLINICAL SYMPTOMS AND SEX STEROID MEASUREMENTS IN DOMESTIC FERRETS (MUSTELA PUTORIUS FURO) WITH HYPERADRENOCORTICISM

Hyperadrenocorticism (excessive adrenal production of sex steroids related to adrenocortical adenomas and carcinomas) is a common disease in neutered male and female pet ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and causes significant morbidity. Incidence of ferret adrenal disease in Latvia is high because the majority of them are gonadectomized. The most common clinical symptoms include symmetrical alopecia and recurrence of sexual behavior. Sex steroids used to diagnose disease are estradiol, androstenedione and 17 alpha-OH progesterone. It is mentioned that androstenedione is the most sensitive during development of the disease. The aim of this study was to sum up, evaluate and compare clinical findings and blood hormone measurements in ferrets diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism. Forty two ferrets (n = 20 female, n = 22 male) with various clinical symptoms related to hyperadrenocorticism were included in this research. Clinical examination based on clinical symptom protocol was performed and blood samples were taken in all cases. There is a high correlation between the age of neutering and onset of clinical signs in female ferrets. In both sexes, there is no correlation between clinical signs and levels of sex steroids. In male and female group, symmetrical alopecia, pruritus, scaling and fragility of skin and lethargy are the most common findings. During this research, a ranking system (from 1 to 4) for the severity of alopecia was developed. All ferrets had one or two elevated sex steroid levels. In our research, androstenedione was elevated in 25 cases out of 42. Clinical signs and sex steroid measurements are important in diagnosing hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets.