Adrenal gland disease affects the majority of ferrets kept as pets, raising questions about breeding practices and welfare management of a common condition.
Ferret adrenal disease represents an iatrogenic welfare crisis - a condition largely caused by the standard practice of early spay/neuter used by North American ferret breeders and shelters. The disease causes chronic discomfort, affects quality of life, and requires ongoing management throughout the animal's life. The contrast with European ferret keeping - where the disease is much less common due to different reproductive management practices - demonstrates that this is a preventable welfare problem. Changing industry practices would require systemic change across the ferret breeding and shelter sector.