Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound finds adrenal tumors causing vulvar swelling in ferrets
By Ackermann, J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1994·Department of Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonographic detection of adrenal gland tumors in two ferrets.
- Species:
- rodent
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old female ferret was brought in with vulvar swelling and abnormal vaginal discharge. The vet suspected an adrenal gland tumor, a common issue in older ferrets, and used ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis instead of more invasive tests. After surgery to remove the tumor, the ferret's symptoms improved significantly, and she recovered well.
People also search for: ferret adrenal gland tumor symptoms · ferret vulvar swelling treatment · ferret surgery recovery time
Abstract
Hyperadrenocorticism is recognized as a common medical condition in middle- to old-aged ferrets. Because diagnosis of adrenocortical tumors in ferrets, using results of adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation or dexamethasone suppression tests, is unreliable, ultrasonography was used as an alternative to laparotomy for the detection of tumors in 2 ferrets. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgical excision and histologic examination of the adrenal gland. In a typical manifestation of the condition, clinical signs in 1 ferret included vulvar swelling and serous to mucopurulent vaginal discharge, which resolved after the adrenalectomy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7852151/