Veterinary Diagnostics, LTD
5747 Cleveland Ave., Suite B
Columbus, OH 43231

1-800-437-9536

Owners Name:
Species: Ferret
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<< HISTOPATHOLOGIC or CYTOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS >>

A) Adrenal Gland: Adrenocortical carcinoma

B) Kidney: Mild multifocal lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis with scattered dilated and regenerative cortical tubules. Some dilated tubules contain ecsinophilic hyaline protienic casts. In addition, there is multifocal mild segmental membraneous glomerulopathy.

C) Liver: There is diffuse mild hepatocellular swelling punctuated by multifocal hepatic necrosis with neutrophilic inflammation. Many portal tracts have mild lymphoplasmacytic inflammation without necrosis. The sinusoids are congested and there is evidence of nodular regeration.

D) Gingiva: [tonsil] There is stromal proliferation and granulation tissue beneath epithelial hyperplasia but minimal inflamation.

E) Spleen: Difuse congestion and nodular lymphoid hyperplasia.

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<< BIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR/COMMENTS >>

This looks like a typical adrenal carcinoma. It is likely the alopecia is related to this. The renal lesions are mild and likely age related but incidental to the clinical signs. The liver lesions may reflect hyper- adrenocorticism but the multifocal hepatic necrosis may be caused by bacterial septicemia. The gingival (tonsilar) lesion looks like a pyogenic infection. The spleen simply looks like congestion. No evidence of neoplasia outside of the adrenal.

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Paul C. Stromburg DVM, PhD
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists