Omentalization of Prostatic Abscesses and Large Cysts in Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Abstract 

Neutered male ferrets are occasionally presented with cystic prostatic disease or prostatic abscesses, most often secondary to elevated, circulating sex steroid hormones caused by adrenocortical disease. Useful features of the omentum, such as tissue adhesion, angiogenesis, and stimulation of the immune system, can be used for surgical treatment of large prostatic cysts and abscesses. Two cases of prostatic abscess omentalization are described. In one case, the underlying cause was a sustentacular (Sertoli cell) tumor associated with a retained testicle. In the other case, adrenocortical disease was determined to be the underlying disease. The first ferret had a residual prostatic abscess 5 months after omentalization. A small, residual prostatic cyst was detected by ultrasound in the second ferret 9 weeks after surgery. Although omentalization may be an effective technique to surgically manage large prostatic cysts and abscesses in ferrets, clinical studies comparing omentalization with other surgical and nonsurgical methods are needed in this species.

Key words: adrenocorticism, ferret, Mustela putorius furo, omentum, prostate, Sertoli cell tumor