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Exotics & Lab Animal Medicine > Ferret Medicine, Pt. 2 > Flashcards

Ferret Medicine, Pt. 2 Flashcards

1
Q

In what ferrets is canine distemper most commonly seen? How is it transmitted?

A

young kits from pet stores in the US

aerosol

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2
Q

What are 6 clinical signs associated with distemper in ferrets?

A
  1. nasal and ocular d/c
  2. photophobia
  3. rash that starts on the chin and spreads to the foot pads, inguinal area, and rectal region
  4. fever
  5. anorexia
  6. bronchopneumonia
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3
Q

What are 3 signs of later stages of distemper infection in ferrets?

A
  1. hyperkeratosis of nasal planum and footpads
  2. CNS signs
  3. death
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4
Q

What is the gold standard of diagnosing canine distemper in ferrets? What are 3 other options?

A

rt-PCR of oropharyngeal wash

  1. CBC - severe lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, moncytopenia, mild non-regenerative anemia
  2. cytology/histology - eosinophilic IC and IN inclusion bodies in epithelial and mononuclear cells (immunocytology to isolate virus)
  3. serology - false positive common due to vaccines
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5
Q

What are 2 signs of distemper on histopathology?

A
  1. suppurative bronchopneumonia in young ferrets
  2. non-suppurative encephalitis with demyelination in ferrets with neurologic signs
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6
Q

What treatment is available for distemper in ferrets? How is it prevented?

A

none –> poor prognosis

vaccination

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7
Q

What causes ferret influenza? How is it transmitted?

A

Orthomyxovirus

aerosol - zoonotic between humans and ferrets!

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8
Q

What 6 clinical signs are associated with influenza in ferrets? How is it diagnosed?

A
  1. watery ocular and nasal d/c
  2. sneezing
  3. non-productive cough
  4. diarrhea
  5. anorexia
  6. fever, lethargy

history of flu in the household + transient leukopenia

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9
Q

How is influenza in ferrets treated? What is prognosis like?

A

supportive care + pediatric cough suppressants/diphenhydramine

good - self-limiting in 7-21 days

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10
Q

What causes Aleutian disease in ferrets? What does it lead to? How is it transmitted?

A

ferret-derived strain of carnivore amdoparvovirus - multisystemic, lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and hypergammaglobulinemia, most common in ferrets >3 y/o

direct contact with infected animals or fomites - asymptomatic carriers intermittently shed

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11
Q

What clinical signs are associated with Aleutian disease?

A

depends on organ affected and degree of inflammation

  • lethargy, anorexia
  • diarrhea, melena
  • chronic wasting
  • neurologic signs
  • sudden death
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12
Q

What is the best diagnostic for Aleutian disease? What are 3 other options?

A

protein electrophoresis - hypergammaglobulinemia

  1. chem - hyperglobulinemia and compensatory hypoalbuminemia
  2. immunofluorescence antibody and ELISA
  3. PCR
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13
Q

What postmortem finding is seen in cases of Aleutian disease? What treatment is recommended?

A

lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of various organs

  • supportive care
  • immunosuppressive drugs
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14
Q

What are insulinomas? In what ferrets are they most common?

A

tumor of pancreatic islet beta cells resulting in hypoglycemic episodes and neurologic symptoms

middle aged (3-8 y/o)

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15
Q

What are the 3 major sets of clinical signs associated with insulinomas?

A
  1. HYPOGLYCEMIA - ataxia, dragging hindlimbs, lethargy, weakness, seizures
  2. NAUSEA - pawing at mouth, vomiting, ptyalism
  3. STRESS - melena, oral ulcers
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16
Q

What are 3 options for diagnosing insulinomas in ferrets?

A
  1. blood glucose - NO GLUCOMETER, <60 mg/dL is presumptive, fast and repeat
  2. serum insulin - >43.4 mU/L
  3. U/S - multifocal, variably sized anechoic/hypoechoic nodules within pancreatic parenchyma
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17
Q

What are 3 options for treating insulinomas?

A
  1. dietary modification - high protein, low carb diet available at all times
  2. medical management - Prednisone/Prednisolone, Diazoxide (increases intracellular K, decreases intracellular release of iCa) –> ferrets commonly become refractive
  3. surgical management - not curative, prolongs survival, partial pancreatectomy +/- nodulectomy
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18
Q

What are signs of hypoglycemic episodes in ferrets with insulinomas? How are they treated at home? In hospital?

A
  • non-responsiveness, difficult to wake up
  • ptyalism
  • glassy eyes
  • seizures

syrup, honey, sugar solutions

IV 50% dextrose slowly or CRI 5% dextrose + steroids + multiple small meals

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19
Q

What ferrets are most commonly affected by adrenal disease? What comorbidities are associated?

A

middle-aged ferrets –> excessive production of sex hormones

  • neoplasia - lymphoma
  • prostatomegaly
  • liver disease
  • cardiac disease
  • splenomegaly
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20
Q

What is considered a major predisposing factor to adrenal gland development in ferrets? 2 others?

A

pre-pubertal gonadectomy

  1. unnatural light cycles
  2. lack of genetic diversity
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21
Q

What is the pathophysiology associated with adrenal disease in ferrets?

A

spaying/neutering causes a loss of negative feedback to stop production of GnRH, LH, and FSH –> increased sex hormones from adrenal glands

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22
Q

What are 4 signs of adrenal gland disease in ferrets? What is a rare finding?

A
  1. progressive alopecia of trunk and tail
  2. pruritus
  3. enlarged vulva
  4. enlarged prostate - can cause urinary obstruction, which is an emergency

bone marrow suppression from estrogen toxicity

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23
Q

What 3 diagnostics are used for adrenal disease in ferrets?

A
  1. hormone assay - estradiol, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone
  2. U/S - size and architecture of adrenal glands
  3. histopathology = definitive diagnoses
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24
Q

What 4 treatments are recommended for adrenal gland disease in ferrets?

A
  1. GnRH agonists –> Deslorelin, Lupron
  2. melatonin
  3. androgen antagonists (Flutamide, Bicalutamide) + reductase inhibitor (Finasteride) to reduce prostatomegaly
  4. Anastrozole - treats estrogen-induced BM suppression

ONLY ALLEVIATES CLINICAL SIGN - not curative, extends life, cosmesis

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25
Q

What is considered curative treatment of adrenal disease in ferrets? What are some considerations?

A

adrenalectomy

  • unilateral vs. bilateral
  • right vs. left - L most common, R is close to caudal vena cava
  • debulking vs. partial
  • male ferrets with dysuria also require treatment for construction
26
Q

How are patients with adrenal disease monitored during physical exams? What is important to note about prognosis?

A

clincial signs + repeat hormone panels or U/S

histologic grade of tumor does not affect survival –> recurrence common with surgical and medical therpy

27
Q

What is the most common malignant neoplasia in ferrets? What are some possible causes?

A

lymphoma

unknown - retrovirus, chronic inflammation

28
Q

What are the 4 classifications of lymphoma in ferrets?

A
  1. LYMPHOCYTIC - adults, mature lymphocytes, peripheral/visceral LNs affected
  2. LYMPHOBLASTIC - young, lymphoblasts, affects liver, spleen, and thymus
  3. LSA - solid tumor, organs or LNs affected
  4. LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA
29
Q

What is the difference between acute and chronic forms of lymphocytic leukemia in ferrets?

A

ACUTE = lymphoblasts in peripherla blood or BM causes WBC to increase

CHRONIC = mature lymphocytes in peripheral blood, WBC normal

30
Q

What is the most common clinical sign associated with lymphoma in ferrets? What are some other signs?

A

enlarged lymph nodes

  • weight loss, anorexia, lethargy
  • melena
  • respiratory disease - juvenile form
31
Q

What offers a definitive diagnosis for lymphoma in ferrets? What are some other options?

A

histology

  • CBC/chem
  • cytology - blood smear, FNA of affected organ/LN
  • radiographs/ultrasound
32
Q

Lymphoma, radiograph:

A

enlarged mesenteric LNs

33
Q

What are the 5 stages of lymphoma in ferrets?

A
  1. limited to a single node of lymphoid tissue of a single organ
  2. multiple LNs affected in a regional area
  3. generalized LN involvement
  4. liver and/or spleen involvement
  5. BM involvement with circulating neoplastic cells
34
Q

What should be considered with treating lymphoma? What are some options?

A

stage of disease, concurrent disease, QoL

  • surgery - focal disease
  • radiation - focal disease when surgery is not possible
  • chemotherapy - modified COP or Tufts No-IV Protocol
  • palliative care - Prednisone, Prednosolone
35
Q

What monitoring is recommended when treating lymphoma in ferrets?

A

CBC if pursuing chemotherapy

36
Q

What are 2 other types of neoplasia seen in ferrets?

A
  1. MCT - cutaneous, smooth hairless nodules +/- black crust on head, neck, shoulders, and trunk –> usually benign with a good prognosis
  2. chordoma - tumor of spinal cord with low grade malignancy and high invasion, most common adt the distal tail tip –> amputate
37
Q

MCT, ferret:

A

cutaneous nodule with black crust

38
Q

Chordoma, ferret:

A

common on distal tail tip

39
Q

What are 2 common cardiovascular diseases seen in ferrets?

A
  1. CHF - poor prognosis
  2. DCM > HCM - genetics, taurine
40
Q

What are signs of heartworm disease in ferrets? How is it diagnosed?

A
  • sneezing
  • anorexia
  • lethargy
  • dyspnea

echocardiogram

41
Q

What are the 2 major treatments for heartworm disease in ferrets? How is it prevented?

A
  1. Ivermectin until clinical signs resolve
  2. Prednisolone for inflammation

Ivermectin month year round, Advantage/Revolution

42
Q

What is a common bacterial cause of gastritis in ferrets? What occurs with chronic infection?

A

Helicobacter mustelae - opportunistic (associated with stress), exposure as kits likely

chronic gastritis, duodenitis, and ulcer formation –> chronic inflammation may be a predisposing factor of lymphoma

43
Q

What are the 2 most common clinical signs associated with Helicobacter gastritis in ferrets? What else is seen?

A

oral ulcers and melena

  • anorexia, weight loss, lethargy
  • vomiting, dehydration
  • nausea - ptyalism, pawing at mouth
44
Q

What is used to diagnose Helicobacter gastritis in ferrets?

A

endoscopy + histology*

45
Q

What are the 3 major parts of treating Helicobacter gastritis? What else can be added?

A
  1. Amoxicillin
  2. Metronidazole
  3. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto)

H2 blockers (Famotidine, Cimetidine, Ranitidine) + PPI (Omeprazole), cytoprotective agent (Sucralfate)

46
Q

What is inflammatory bowel disease? What are 4 possible causes?

A

idiopathic, chronic inflammatory condition resulting in lymphoplasmcytic infiltration of stomach and intestinal walls

  1. Helicobacter mustelae
  2. chronic non-obstructive FB
  3. food allergy
  4. hypersensitivity
47
Q

What are 4 signs of IBD in ferrets? What can be appreciated on physical exam?

A
  1. soft stool, diarrhea
  2. severe melena
  3. nausea - pawing at mouth, vomiting
  4. weight loss

thickened intestines, enlarged LNs

48
Q

What diagnostic offers a definitive diagnosis of IBD? What else is used?

A

histology

  • biochem - hyperglobulinemia, elevated lipase, dehydration, elevated liver values
  • FNA - reactive LNs
  • U/S - 3 distinct layers of intestinal walls visible (>5 mm), assessed for comorbidities
49
Q

What are 2 options for treating IBD in ferrets?

A
  1. immune suppression - Prednisone/Prednisolone
  2. hypoallergenic diet - z/d, totally ferret turkey-venison-lamb meal formula
50
Q

What is eosinophilic gastroenteritis? What ferrets are most commonly affected?

A

idiopathic, multisystemic inflammatory condition resulting in peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration of GIT and other organs

> 6 months, suspected food allergy

51
Q

What signs are associated with eosinophilic gastroenteritis in ferrets?

A
  • chronic diarrhea +/- blood and mucus
  • weight loss, anorexia
  • dehydration
  • enlarged mesenteric LNs
52
Q

What diagnostics are used for eosinophilic gastroeneteritis?

A
  • fecal cytology - eosinophils
  • CBC - eosinophilia
  • biochem - elevated liver values
  • histology - definitive
53
Q

What are 5 parts of treating eosinophilic gastroenteritis?

A
  1. immunosuppression - Prednisone/Prednisolone, Azathioprine
  2. novel protein or hydrolyzed diet
  3. prophylactic treatment for H. mustelae
  4. anthelminthic therapy - Ivermectin
  5. surgery to remove granulomas
54
Q

What causes proliferative bowel disease in ferrets? In what ferrets is it most common?

A

Lawsonia intracellularis –> intestinal thickening in colon > small intestines

young - 4-6 months

55
Q

What are some clinical signs associated with PBD?

A
  • chronic diarrhea +/- liquid, blood, mucus
  • perineal staining
  • straining to defecate
  • dehydration
  • weight loss
  • prolapsed rectum
56
Q

What diagnostics are recommended for PBD? What treatment is used?

A
  • PCR - rectal swab, feces, tissue
  • gross or histopathologic lesions

Chloramphenicol

57
Q

What causes epizootic catarrhal enteritis in ferrets? What is characteristic? How does age affect clinical signs?

A

ferret enteric coronavirus

profuse greenish, mucoid diarrhea in naive ferrets with the addition of a new young ferret–> green slime diarrhea

young (<2 y/o) tend to develop mild, self-limiting disease

58
Q

What can occur in adult ferrets recovering from ECE? What diagnostics are recommended?

A

development of persistent, intermittent malabsorptive diarrhea

  • CBC - dehydration
  • biochem - elevated liver enzymes
  • PCR - feces, intestines
  • ELISA
  • histology
59
Q

What treatments are recommended in cases of ECE in ferrets?

A
  • supportive - IVF, antibiotics, antiemetics
  • prophylactic treatment for H. mustelae
  • easily absorbed food (Critical Care)
  • short course of Prednisone in cases of persistent malabsorptive diarrhea
60
Q

What FBs are commonly seen in young and older ferrets?

A

YOUNG - pencil erasers, rubber bands, shoe soles, carpet padding, balloons, crocs, door stoppers, toys

OLDER - trichobezoars

61
Q

Ferret diarrhea:

Exotics & Lab Animal Medicine (20 decks)

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