Message Number: FHL7769 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Sukie Crandall
Date: 2009-01-31 17:55:10 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] abstract primary hyperaldosteronism: hypokalemia, hypertension, adrenal mass
To: fhl <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>

Just up in Pubmed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19180717

BEGIN QUOTE

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Oct 15;233(8):1297-301.
Primary hyperaldosteronism in a domestic ferret with an adrenocortical=20
adenoma.
Desmarchelier M, Lair S, Dunn M, Langlois I.
D=E9partement de Sciences Cliniques, Facult=E9 de M=E9decine V=E9t=E9rinair=
e,=20
Universit=E9 de Montr=E9al, St Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C6, Canada.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 6-year-old spayed female domestic ferret was=20
evaluated because of lethargy, alopecia, pruritus, and an abdominal=20
mass. CLINICAL FINDINGS: On initial examination, nonregenerative=20
anemia, mild azotemia, and a large left adrenal gland mass were=20
identified. However, deterioration of the ferret's general condition=20
prevented excision of the mass, and dyspnea, weakness, hypertension,=20
and severe hypokalemia developed. Plasma aldosterone concentration was=20
>3329 pmol/L, confirming a provisional diagnosis of=20
hyperaldosteronism. High concentrations of sex hormones were also=20
observed, but baseline cortisol concentration was within reference=20
limits. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Medical treatment included oral=20
administration of spironolactone, potassium gluconate, leuprolide=20
acetate, amlodipine, and benazepril. Inhalation of albuterol proved=20
effective in reducing the dyspnea. In the following weeks, serum=20
potassium concentration returned to within reference limits and=20
hypertension decreased, but dyspnea persisted. Two months after=20
initial examination, the ferret became anorectic and was euthanized.=20
Histologic examination revealed a large left adrenal gland adenoma,=20
progressive chronic nephropathy, severe pulmonary edema, and focal=20
fibrosis in the left ventricle. Immunohistochemical staining of the=20
adrenal gland mass revealed aldosterone within neoplastic=20
adrenocortical cells. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggested that=20
primary hyperaldosteronism should be considered as a possible cause in=20
ferrets with hypokalemia, hypertension, and an adrenal gland mass.=20
Early detection of aldosterone-secreting masses might allow for=20
removal of the tumor before irreversible complications occur.

PMID: 19180717

END QUOTE

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html




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