AEMV Forum
Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma With Metastases and Hypercalcemia in a Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

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Abstract

An 8-year-old spayed female domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented for evaluation of anal prolapse and bilateral enlarged anal sacs. A lobulated mass in the right perianal area was detected during the physical examination. Results of diagnostic blood testing confirmed decreased glucose, potassium, and phosphorus concentrations, and increased total and ionized calcium concentrations. Complete resection of the mass was not possible owing to its nearness to the rectum and the ventral aspect of the tail. Imprint cytological preparations obtained intraoperatively were compatible with anal sac adenocarcinoma, which was confirmed by histopathologic evaluation of submitted tissue samples of the mass. Routine staging showed iliac lymph node and presumptive lung metastases; therefore, chemotherapy was initiated. This report describes a confirmed case of anal sac adenocarcinoma with metastases and hypercalcemia, managed with surgery and chemotherapy for 13 months after the patient׳s initial presentation and diagnosis.

Section snippets

Case Presentation

An 8-year-old female-spayed domestic ferret was presented to the Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari for anal prolapse. Physical examination revealed 5 mm of prolapsed anal mucosa, slight perianal swelling, and enlarged left and right anal sacs. Initial diagnostic tests, including radiographs, blood tests, and fecal analysis, were unremarkable. Anal sac impaction or infection was determined to be the top differential in this ferret. The ferret was sedated and both anal sacs were emptied. No

Discussion

Anal sac disease is rarely reported in pet ferrets, as the anal sacs are usually surgically removed at a few weeks of age.13 Material stored within the anal sacs is secreted by a glandular complex, which is composed of sebaceous and aprocrine glands. Sebaceous glands surround the first part of the duct, whereas apocrine glands asymmetrically cover the sebaceous glands with some extension over the proximal part of the sac.14

Perianal tumors in ferrets are rarely reported. Tumors of the apocrine

Acknowledgments

The authors thank L. Fresno for surgical management, J. Rodón for PTH-rp determination (IDEXX Laboratories), N. Elias for scientific advice, and the ferret׳s owner, N. Galan, for her unwavering confidence in the authors of this report.

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      Citation Excerpt :

      Reports of hypercalcemia in ferrets are sparse. It has been found in association with lymphomas in ferrets,3–5 as well as anal sac adenocarcinoma (with concurrently elevated PTHrP).6 Given the paucity of published information on the subject, rule-outs for hypercalcemia in ferrets are presumed to be similar to those in dogs and cats.

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