Pancreatic Disease in Exotic Pets: Why Ferrets Are Different and What Clinicians Need to Know

Clinical Anatomy, Physiology, and Common Diseases of the Pancreas in Exotic Pets

Nicola Di Girolamo, DVM, PhD, DECZM (Herp), DACZM, DACVPM

Background

This narrative review addresses the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the pancreas across exotic pet species, emphasizing clinically relevant interspecies differences. Disorders such as insulinoma, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are well characterized in dogs and cats but remain poorly defined in exotic pets. The article aims to synthesize available anatomic, physiologic, and clinical data to support accurate diagnosis and management in these species.

Methods

The author conducted a comprehensive literature-based review integrating comparative anatomy, physiology, pathology, and clinical case reports across exotic mammals, birds, and reptiles. Data were drawn from retrospective studies, case series, experimental models, and expert clinical experience, with particular emphasis on ferrets due to their higher disease prevalence.

Results

Pancreatic anatomy and physiology vary markedly among exotic pets. Ferrets have a well-developed pancreas and are disproportionately affected by insulinomas, which represent one of the most common neoplasms in this species. Diagnosis of insulinoma in ferrets is complicated by the inaccuracy of portable glucometers, necessitating laboratory-based glucose measurement. Diabetes mellitus is rare across exotic species and most commonly reported in ferrets post-pancreatectomy and in parrots, where type I diabetes predominates. Pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are uncommon but increasingly recognized, particularly in ferrets, parrots, rabbits, and select rodents, often with nonspecific clinical signs and limited validated diagnostic markers.

Limitations

The review highlights significant gaps in knowledge, including reliance on case reports and small retrospective studies, lack of validated diagnostic tests for many species, and limited long-term outcome data. For several taxa, particularly reptiles and rodents, pancreatic disease remains underdiagnosed due to nonspecific clinical signs and insufficient reference intervals.

Conclusions

Pancreatic disease in exotic pets is uncommon but clinically important, with ferrets representing the species at greatest risk, particularly for insulinoma. Marked interspecies differences in anatomy and endocrine physiology limit extrapolation from traditional companion animals. Improved awareness, appropriate diagnostic techniques, and advances in imaging are likely to increase recognition of pancreatic disorders in exotic species, underscoring the need for further clinical research.

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