Abstract
The effect of surgical excision and/or medical treatments mainly with the administration of leuprolide acetate in 58 ferrets was retrospectively investigated. Among histological types, a 6-month survival rate was the lowest in ferrets with adrenocortical adenocarcinoma, however nearly 70% of the patients survived. In addition, none of the ferrets showed evidence of metastasis. Among 58 ferrets, 25 received surgery alone, 13 received both surgery and medical treatments, and 20 received medical treatments alone. A 6-month survival rate was the lowest in ferrets treated with surgery alone, while all but one of the other 33 ferrets survived for at least 6 months. In a ferret treated with leuprolide, continuous hyperglycemia was detected. The results may indicate that surgery is recommended in young healthy ferrets in which the affected adrenal gland could be completely excised, while medical treatment is recommended in older or higher risk patients.
