Exotics: Ferret Medicine Flashcards
- What type of virus is distemper?
- How is it transmitted?
- Morbillivirus
- Aerosols, Direct contact with urine, faeces, skin and other secretions, fomites
Unvaccinated ferrets
Almost always fatal
What are the clinical signs of distemper in ferrets?
- Non-specific- lethargy, anorexia, fever
- Cutaneous- erythema, hyperkeratosis and crusts
- Respiratory- dyspnea, tachypnoea, cough
- Ocular- muco-purulent conjunctivitis
- Neurological- paresis, ataxia, seizures
- How is distemper in ferrets diagnosed?
- How is it treated?
- Unvaccinated ferrets, combinations of signs, swabs for PCR/Ag detection, PM and Histo
- Most require euthanasia, Supportive
When can ferrets be first vaccinated against distemper?
When are they boosted?
12 weeks, yearly boosters
Avoid contact with non-vaccinated
Routine cleaning/hygiene
What is the most common source of infection of influenza in ferrets?
Owners are most common source
Aerosols
How is influenza diagnosed in ferrets?
Clinical signs
* Fever
* URT signs
* Conjunctitivitis
* Occasionally othoer organs
Exposure to humans with flu
How is influenza in ferrets managed?
Most cases are self-limiting
General supportive care- fluids/feeding
NSAIDs?
Antiviral: have been tested in ferrets with positive results, risk of resistance
- What type of disease is Aleutian disease?
- What ferrets are usually affected?
- What are the signs?
- Parvovirus- immunocomplex mediated disease
- Older ferrets 2-4 years
- Death without any clinincal signs, chronic wasting disease, neuro (tremors, paresis/paralysis), organ enlargment, anaemia, melena
How is aleutian disease diagnosed and managed?
Diagnosis
* Plasma electrophoresis- low albumin, high gamma-globulin
* Haematology: low PCV
* Biochem: depends on affected organ
* PCR
* Positive serum ab
Treatment
* Supportive care
* No effective treatment
* Immunosuppressive?
* Melatonin implants?
What lymphomas can commonly occur in ferrets?
- T cell lymphoma
- B cell lympoma
- Cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma
- Gastric lymphoma
How should a ferret lymphoma diagnostic workup work?
- Haematology- anaemia
- Biochemistry- hypoalbumin, hyperprotein, hyperglobin, hypercalcaemia uncommon
- Ultrasound
- Cytology- almost fully diagnostic
- Biopsy samples- allow grading and phenotyping
What treatment options are there for lymphoma?
Chemotherapy- several protocols
* Prednisolone as single agent
* Combination oral (prednisolone and chlorambucil)
* Oral and SC (L-asparaginase)
* SC venous access port
* Modified COP
* Modified CHOP
Radiation therapy
- What cells cause the neoplasm insulinoma?
- What does it cause?
- What are clinical signs?
- How is it diagnosed?
- How is it treated?
- Pancreatic B cells- benign
- Hypoglycaemia
- Nausea, lethargy, ataxia, seizures
- Blood glucose <3.3mmol/l after starving, insulin conc, US, imaging
- Surgery: nodulectomy, partial pancreactomy, suvivial time 1 year
How can insulinoma be medically managed acutely and chronically?
Acute/emergency
* IV bolus dextrose
* Maintenance fluids w/ 5% glucose
* Midazolam
Chronic
* Prednisolone- 0.5mg/kg BID then adjust to effect
* Diazoxide- 5mg/kg BID
What are the three types of hyperadrenocorticism?
What causes it?
Hyperadrenocorticism
* Hyperaldoseronism- mineralocorticoids
* Hyperadrenocorticism- endogenous steroids
* Hyperandrogenism- androgens
Causes
* Surgical neuter
* Abnormal photoperiod/circadian rhythm
* Genetics