Evaluation-of Serum Estradiol Concentrations in Alopecic Ferrets With Adrenal Gland Tumors

摘要

Bilaterally symmetric, nonpmritic alopecia (Fig 7) is a relatively common syndrome in ferrets and has often been attributed to hyper-adrenocorticism because of the presence of adrenal gland tumors in afflicted animals. However, high resting serum cortisol concentrations or abnormal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation profiles are not typically associated with the syndrome, Seventeen such cases were reviewed to define the syndrome and its etiology. Ten spayed female and 7 neutered male ferrets were studied. Physical examinations, CBCs, serum biochemical analyses, and assays for serum cortisol, estradiol, thyroxine, and testosterone were performed on all animals. Adrenocorticotropic stimulation tests were performed on 5 animals and skin biopsies were done on 8. All of the ferrets were treated by surgical removal of adrenal gland tumors.