The Treatment of Adrenal Cortical Disease in Ferrets with 4.7-mg Deslorelin Acetate Implants

Abstract 

Thirty pet ferrets with adrenocortical disease (ACD) of varying severity and duration were evaluated for response to a single administration of a slow release 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate implant. Clinical response to deslorelin was monitored via a physical examination performed every 3 to 4 months. Adrenal ultrasound measurements were taken every 3-4 months until clinical relapse. At clinical relapse, duration of symptom suppression and adrenal size and growth were determined. Administration of a single 4.7 mg implant of deslorelin acetate resulted in significant decreases in the clinical signs and hormonal concentrations associated with ACD. Within 14 days post-implant, vulvar swelling, pruritus, sexual behaviors and aggression decreased or disappeared. Hair re-growth was evident by 4-6 weeks post implant. Within two months post deslorelin implant, plasma concentrations of steroid hormones decreased: mean estradiol concentration decreased 28%; 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels decreased 89% and androstenedione levels decreased 88%. The response to a single 4.7 mg implant of deslorelin acetate was transitory. The mean ± SD time to recurrence of clinical signs was 17.6 ± 5.0 months (range, 8.0-30.0 months). Repeated ultrasound measurements revealed no statistical difference in size of the adrenals (right or left) before, during the months of deslorelin implant and at clinical relapse. Slow release 4.7 mg deslorelin implants can effectively be used to temporarily eliminate the clinical signs and reduce steroid hormone concentrations in ferrets with ACD. This dose of deslorelin does appear to influence adrenal tumor growth causing a decrease in adrenal size in some ferrets, and mild enlargement of adrenal glands in most ferrets with 2 of 30 implanted animals developing large tumors before clinical relapse. The long-term effect of treatment with deslorelin on adrenal tumor pathology requires additional investigation. At this time, surgical removal of the adrenal tumor remains the only curative treatment; however, 4.7 mg deslorelin implants are useful in the long-term management of ACD hormone-induced sequelae and may be as effective assurgical management.

Key words: ferret, adrenocortical disease, adrenal tumor growth, hyperadrenocorticism