Ferret Medicine, Pt. 2 Flashcards
In what ferrets is canine distemper most commonly seen? How is it transmitted?
young kits from pet stores in the US
aerosol
What are 6 clinical signs associated with distemper in ferrets?
- nasal and ocular d/c
- photophobia
- rash that starts on the chin and spreads to the foot pads, inguinal area, and rectal region
- fever
- anorexia
- bronchopneumonia
What are 3 signs of later stages of distemper infection in ferrets?
- hyperkeratosis of nasal planum and footpads
- CNS signs
- death
What is the gold standard of diagnosing canine distemper in ferrets? What are 3 other options?
rt-PCR of oropharyngeal wash
- CBC - severe lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, moncytopenia, mild non-regenerative anemia
- cytology/histology - eosinophilic IC and IN inclusion bodies in epithelial and mononuclear cells (immunocytology to isolate virus)
- serology - false positive common due to vaccines
What are 2 signs of distemper on histopathology?
- suppurative bronchopneumonia in young ferrets
- non-suppurative encephalitis with demyelination in ferrets with neurologic signs
What treatment is available for distemper in ferrets? How is it prevented?
none –> poor prognosis
vaccination
What causes ferret influenza? How is it transmitted?
Orthomyxovirus
aerosol - zoonotic between humans and ferrets!
What 6 clinical signs are associated with influenza in ferrets? How is it diagnosed?
- watery ocular and nasal d/c
- sneezing
- non-productive cough
- diarrhea
- anorexia
- fever, lethargy
history of flu in the household + transient leukopenia
How is influenza in ferrets treated? What is prognosis like?
supportive care + pediatric cough suppressants/diphenhydramine
good - self-limiting in 7-21 days
What causes Aleutian disease in ferrets? What does it lead to? How is it transmitted?
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
What clinical signs are associated with Aleutian disease?
depends on organ affected and degree of inflammation
- lethargy, anorexia
- diarrhea, melena
- chronic wasting
- neurologic signs
- sudden death
What is the best diagnostic for Aleutian disease? What are 3 other options?
protein electrophoresis - hypergammaglobulinemia
- chem - hyperglobulinemia and compensatory hypoalbuminemia
- immunofluorescence antibody and ELISA
- PCR
What postmortem finding is seen in cases of Aleutian disease? What treatment is recommended?
lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of various organs
- supportive care
- immunosuppressive drugs
What are insulinomas? In what ferrets are they most common?
tumor of pancreatic islet beta cells resulting in hypoglycemic episodes and neurologic symptoms
middle aged (3-8 y/o)
What are the 3 major sets of clinical signs associated with insulinomas?
- HYPOGLYCEMIA - ataxia, dragging hindlimbs, lethargy, weakness, seizures
- NAUSEA - pawing at mouth, vomiting, ptyalism
- STRESS - melena, oral ulcers
What are 3 options for diagnosing insulinomas in ferrets?
- blood glucose - NO GLUCOMETER, <60 mg/dL is presumptive, fast and repeat
- serum insulin - >43.4 mU/L
- U/S - multifocal, variably sized anechoic/hypoechoic nodules within pancreatic parenchyma
What are 3 options for treating insulinomas?
- dietary modification - high protein, low carb diet available at all times
- medical management - Prednisone/Prednisolone, Diazoxide (increases intracellular K, decreases intracellular release of iCa) –> ferrets commonly become refractive
- surgical management - not curative, prolongs survival, partial pancreatectomy +/- nodulectomy
What are signs of hypoglycemic episodes in ferrets with insulinomas? How are they treated at home? In hospital?
- 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
What ferrets are most commonly affected by adrenal disease? What comorbidities are associated?
middle-aged ferrets –> excessive production of sex hormones
- neoplasia - lymphoma
- prostatomegaly
- liver disease
- cardiac disease
- splenomegaly
What is considered a major predisposing factor to adrenal gland development in ferrets? 2 others?
pre-pubertal gonadectomy
- unnatural light cycles
- lack of genetic diversity
What is the pathophysiology associated with adrenal disease in ferrets?
spaying/neutering causes a loss of negative feedback to stop production of GnRH, LH, and FSH –> increased sex hormones from adrenal glands
What are 4 signs of adrenal gland disease in ferrets? What is a rare finding?
- progressive alopecia of trunk and tail
- pruritus
- enlarged vulva
- enlarged prostate - can cause urinary obstruction, which is an emergency
bone marrow suppression from estrogen toxicity
What 3 diagnostics are used for adrenal disease in ferrets?
- hormone assay - estradiol, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone
- U/S - size and architecture of adrenal glands
- histopathology = definitive diagnoses
What 4 treatments are recommended for adrenal gland disease in ferrets?
- GnRH agonists –> Deslorelin, Lupron
- melatonin
- androgen antagonists (Flutamide, Bicalutamide) + reductase inhibitor (Finasteride) to reduce prostatomegaly
- Anastrozole - treats estrogen-induced BM suppression
ONLY ALLEVIATES CLINICAL SIGN - not curative, extends life, cosmesis