Skin Masses - Ferret

Introduction

The most common cause for a cutaneous mass in the ferret is neoplasia. Abscesses and enlarged lymph nodes are other common causes. All masses that are detected should be fully worked-up to rule out an abscess and lymph node hyperplasia. If the mass is found to be neoplastic it should ideally be immediately excised. The 'wait-and-see' methods should be avoided if possible as the mass is likely to be neoplastic.

Differential Diagnoses

Neoplasia, abscesses and enlarged lymph nodes may produce a mass in or under the skin. The types of neoplasia that can occur are: mast cell tumor or mastocytoma, sebaceous gland adenoma and adenocarcinoma, benign cystic adenomas, fibroma and fibrosarcoma, hemangioma, cutaneous hemangiosarcoma, chordoma, neurofibroma, leiomyoma, histiocytoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma and melanoma - the most common being benign mast cell tumours, sebaceous gland adenomas and haemangiomas.

Clinical Signs

The ferret may present with a mass palpable in or under the skin surface.

Diagnosis

Most ferret neoplasms are benign, but metastasis can occur. Therefore before the mass is excised screening should be performed to check for metastases. Radiography or ultrasound can be used to assess the lungs and liver for metastases and to check for involvement of underlying tissue involvement. If metastases are present then the next steps should be discussed with the owner and chemotherapy and radiotherapy are not successful in treating metastases in the ferret.

Following screening, the sample should be surgically excised and sent for histopathological analysis. A diagnosis and prognosis can then be made based on the tumour type. If there is more than one mass present then all the masses should be sent for histopathology as the tumours may be of different types.