Common Conditions of Ferrets

Question 1

List three sites that you can blood sample ferrets in.

Answer 1

Jugular veins
Cephalic veins
Cranial vena cava under GA

Question 2

List five key endocrine and neoplastic diseases of ferrets

Answer 2

Pesistent oestrus in the jill
Hyperadrenocorticism
Insulinoma
Lymphoma
Chordoma

Question 3

Describe the pathogenesis of hyperoestogenism in the jill.

Answer 3

No ovulation.
Persistently high levels of oestradiol.
Bone marrow suppression
Pancytopaenia
Life threatening anaemia

Question 4

What may appear on the haematology of a jill in persistent oestrus?

Answer 4

Low PCV, pancytopenia

Question 5

List six ways to stop persistent oestrus in the jill.

Answer 5

Breeding pair
Jill with vasectomised hob
Ovariohysterectomy
Proligestone i/m injection at the start of the oestrus season.
Stimulate manually
Deslorelin GnRH implant

Question 6

What is the pathogenesis of hyperadrenocorticism in the ferret?

Answer 6

Enlargement of one/both adrenal glands due to hyperplasia/neoplasia (adenoma/adenocarcinoma)
Elevated circulating levels of plasma androstenedione, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone and oestradiol.

Question 7

List two methods of diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticim in the ferret

Answer 7

Serum adrenal panel
Abdominal ultrasound

Question 8

What is the treatment for hyperadrenocorticism in the ferret?

Answer 8

Depot GnRH agonists
- Leuprolide acetate
- Deslorelin implant

Question 9

Describe the pathogenesis of a pancreatic insulinoma in ferrets.

Answer 9

Microadenomas/islet cell tumours (small tumours of the pancreatic beta cells)
Produce excessive amounts of insulin leading to hypoglycaemia

Question 10

How would you diagnose a pancreatic insulinoma in a ferret?

Answer 10

Blood glucose is <3.4mmol/l after withholding food for 4 hours
Ultrasound - only with experience as they are often small
Exploratory laparotomy

Question 11

Which surgery is advised when a ferret is diagnosed with a pancreatic insulinoma?

Answer 11

Partial pancreatectomy

Question 12

List two medical therapies that can be used when a ferret is diagnosed with an insulinoma

Answer 12

Diazoxide
Prednisolone

Question 13

How long does medical therapy in a pancreatic insulinoma in a ferret last?

Answer 13

Controls hypoglycaemia for 6-18 months

Question 14

List three methods of diagnosing a lymphoma in a ferret

Answer 14

Radiography
Ultrasonography +/- FNA
Full thickness biopsy/surgical removal of peripheral lymph node for histopathology

Question 15

What is a chordoma and where are they usually found?

Answer 15

Skeletal neoplasm originating from mesoderm
91% found at tip of the tail

Question 16

List three clinical signs of a chordoma

Answer 16

Swelling at the tail tip/tail base/along the cervical/thoracic spin
Motor dysfunction
Loos of concious proprioception and pain perception in hind limbs

Question 17

List three methods to diagnose a chordoma in a ferret

Answer 17

Appearance
Imaging
Immunohistochemical staining of biopsies differentiates from chondrosarcoma

Question 18

List three gastrointestinal parasites of ferrets

Answer 18

Coccidiosis
Giardiasis
Cryptosporidiosis

Question 19

List three pharmaceuticals you can use for treatment of H. mustelae

Answer 19

Amoxicillin
Metronidazole
Bismuth subsalicylate

Question 20

List three of the main cardiac diseases in ferrets

Answer 20

Cardiomyopathy
Valvular heart disease
Heartworm

Question 21

List four methods of diagnosing heart disease in ferrets

Answer 21

Clinical exam
Radiography
ECG
Echocardiography

Question 22

List 5 treatmeants you could give to a ferret with congestive heart failure

Answer 22

Diuretics
Oxygen
Thoracocentesis
ACE inhibitors
Nitroglycerin paste

Question 23

What are the most common uroliths in ferrets?

Answer 23

Magnesium ammonium phosphate and struvite

Question 24

How can you prevent ear mites in ferrets?

Answer 24

Topical moxidectin/imidacloprid