Ferret

Question 1

What order and family are ferrets from?

Answer 1

Carnivora
Mustelidae

Question 2

What 2 diseases are black ferrets susceptible to that also dogs get?

Answer 2

Rabies and distemper

Question 3

Pair up the correct terminology.
1. Business
2. Hob
3. Jill
4. Gib
5. Sprite
6. Kit

a. Male intact
b. Male neutered
c. Female intact
d. Female spayed
e. Juvenile ferret
f. A group of ferrets

Answer 3

Hob - Intact male (2-a)
Gib - Male neutered (4-b)
Jill - Female intact (3-c)
Sprite - Female spayed (5-d)
Kit - Juvenile (6- e)
Business - Group (1-f)

Question 4

(T/F) Ferrets do not have a clavicle, have a plantigrade posture, their nails are retractable like cats, and have an os penis in the males.

Answer 4

False -
Ferrets have a clavicle, have a plantigrade posture, their nails are non retractable, and have an os penis in the males

Question 5

Are ferrets anal glands the only part of their body that is responsible for the musk smell?

Answer 5

No - they have scent glands all over their body but the anal glands are responsible for the majority of the musk smell

Question 6

Are we able to transfuse ferrets without having to cross match or blood type?

Answer 6

Yes - ferrets have no detectable blood groups

Question 7

What are the two big things ferrets are known for?

Answer 7

Neoplasia
Chew and swallow many things

Question 8

What kind of development do ferrets have when they are young?

Answer 8

Altricial development - they require nourishment

Question 9

If you see ferrets copulating for more than 30 min is this normal?

Answer 9

Yes - they copulate for >1 hour

Question 10

Can ferrets have pseudopregnancies like cats do?

Answer 10

Yes (lasts 41-43 days)

Question 11

What kind of nutrition is required for ferrets?

Answer 11

They are strict carnivores
Should eat commercial ferret food that is based on protein
- Can eat growth formulations of cat food but not dog food (a lot of CHO)

Question 12

Ferrets require (high/low) calorie, (high/low) protein, (high/low) fiber diet.

Answer 12

High calorie
High protein
Low fiber

Question 13

What is the normal range for ferrets to get a shower?

Answer 13

every 3-4 weeks

Question 14

What are the two locations for blood collection in ferrets?

Answer 14

Jugular and cranial vena cava - accessible but its a blind stick

Question 15

What is the number one tumor in ferrets and when do they get these?

Answer 15

Pancreatic Endocrine tumor (insulinoma) and they get them 4-5 years

Question 16

What are the reference values you would like to check for a Pancreatic Endocrine tumor in a ferret?

Answer 16

Hyperinsulinism
Hypoglycemia

Question 17

(T/F) 75% of pancreatic endocrine tumors have multiple nodules and they metastasize to regional lymph nodes, liver and spleen.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Pancreatic endocrine tumors histologic appear (malignant/benign) but behave (malignant/benign)

Answer 18

Histologic appear benign
But behave malignant

Question 19

What are the clinical signs you can see in a ferret with an adrenocortical tumor?

Answer 19

Progressive alopecia*, vulvar swelling, return to male sexual behavior, pruritis, stranguria, muscle wasting

Question 20

(T/F) Radiographs, ACTH stim test and dex suppresion test are very helpful to diagnose an adrenocortical tumor in a ferret.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

How do we treat an adrenocortical tumor?

Answer 21

Surgery - total/partial adrenalectomy

Question 22

How can you differentiate a lymphoma tumor in a ferret (young vs older)?

Answer 22

Young - acute and lymphocytosis
Old - chronic and lymphopenia

Question 23

Who has a better prognosis with lymphoma in ferrets?

Answer 23

Young and acute has a better prognosis with a mediastinal mass

Question 24

What is the most common skin tumors in ferrets?

Answer 24

Mast cell tumor and basal cell tumor

Question 25

Why do ferrets get hyperestrogenic anemia?

Answer 25

Remnant ovarian tissue - resistent estrus

Question 26

Why is hyperestrogenic anemia very important disease in ferrets?

Answer 26

There is a quick mortality associated with it

Question 27

What are some of the clinical signs of hyperestrogenic anemia?

Answer 27

Vulvar swelling*, pale mm/weakness, depression, systolic murmur, mucosal and SQ hemorrhage, melena

Question 28

What are the clinical sign that will most likely tell you a ferret has distemper?

Answer 28

Hyperkeratosis in the foot pads
(fatal so tx is unwarranted and usually unsuccessful)