Ferrets

Question 1

What is a male ferret called?

Answer 1

Hob

Question 2

What is a female ferret called?

Answer 2

Jill

Question 3

What is a neutered female ferret called?

Answer 3

Sprite

Question 4

What is a neutered male ferret called?

Answer 4

Hoblet

Question 5

What is a baby ferret called?

Answer 5

Kitten/ pup

Question 6

Why are ferrets prone to hyperthermia?

Answer 6

No sweat glands

Question 7

What is the vertebral formula of ferrets?

Answer 7

C7, T15, L5, S3, Cd18

Question 8

How is the anatomy of a ferrets jaw adapted for its function?

Answer 8

Tearing/ shearing - no/ little lateral movement

Question 9

How are ferrets eyes adapted for nocturnal behaviour?

Answer 9

large domed cornea, spherical lens, tapetum lucidum, horizontal slit pupil

Question 10

Explain why photoperiod is important for ferrets?

Answer 10

Reproduction is seasonal based on pineal gland + melatonin

Question 11

What is the dental formula of ferrets?

Answer 11

I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3/3 M 1/2 = 17

Question 12

When do permanent teeth of ferrets erupt?

Answer 12

50-74 days

Question 13

Describe the GI tract of ferrets

Answer 13

• stomach capable of huge distension- 50ml/kg
• no true gastro-oesophageal sphincter = can vomit
• quick intestinal transit time = don’t need to starve too long before surgery

Question 14

Which organs of the GI tract are not present in ferrets?

Answer 14

no caecum (no fibre), no appendix, no ileo-colic junction

Question 15

What anatomical factor means ferrets cannot be obligate nasal breathers?

Answer 15

small nostrils

Question 16

Describe the anatomy of ferret lungs?

Answer 16

L lung = cranial + caudal

R lung = cranial, caudal, middl, accessory

Question 17

Explain how CO is assessed and why?

Answer 17

• CO assessed by urine output- pulse pressure is unreliable in ferrets
• if output drops below 1ml/kg/hr w/o previous diagnosis of renal disease = suspected low CO

Question 18

Describe the blood volume of ferrets

Answer 18

5-7% BW, high PCV

Question 19

How would a blood sample be taken from a domestic ferret compared to lab animal?

Answer 19

• domestic = cephalic/ jugular vein

- lab = tail artery

Question 20

When do ferrets hit puberty?

Answer 20

6-9mths

Question 21

What kind of breeders are ferrets?

Answer 21

• monoestrus seasonal breeders

- reflex ovulators

Question 22

How long is gestation for ferrets?

Answer 22

42 days

Question 23

How are ferret young described?

Answer 23

Altricial

Question 24

Describe the reproductive strategy of ferrets

Answer 24

1 litter per yr of up to 6 young

Question 25

Why is important that ferrets are mated when they come into season?

Answer 25

If not mated it results in prolonged production of oestrogen = bone marrow suppression + anaemia, death

Question 26

Why should ferrets not be spayed?

Answer 26

can readily develop adrenal disease due to overproduction of steroid sex hormones by adrenal glands

Question 27

What is the most common presenting sign of adrenal disease in ferrets?

Answer 27

Alopecia

Question 28

What other clinical signs of adrenal disease is shown in ferrets- besides alopecia?

Answer 28

aggression, swollen vulva (F), difficulty urinating (M), muscle loss

Question 29

What are the main risk factors of developing adrenal disease?

Answer 29

neutering, abnormal photoperiod (house indoors- extended photoperiod =

Question 30

Explain how neutering may cause adrenal disease

Answer 30

MAY destroy -ve feedback mechanism regulating FSH + LH release- cells with LH receptors in adrenal glands allows production of sex hormone w/ no gonads

Question 31

How can adrenal disease be prevented in ferrets?

Answer 31

• keep jills w/ vasectomised male- mating induced ovulation = no excessive prolonged oestrogen production
• Injections of GnRH agonist- reduces LH release