Ferrets

Question 1

Order, genus, species

Answer 1

• carnivora
• mustela
• putorius furo

Question 2

Name of the endangered/nearly extinct black-footed ferret

Answer 2

Mustela nigripes

Question 3

Female ferrets called

Answer 3

Jills

Question 4

Males called

Answer 4

Hobs

Question 5

Babies called

Answer 5

Kits

Question 6

Where does the innominate artery I (carotid a.) arise from

Answer 6

Descending aorta

Question 7

Innominate a. I forms what arteries

Answer 7

• L carotid a.
• innominate artery II

Question 8

Innominate artery II forms what arteries

Answer 8

• R subclavian
• R carotid

Question 9

Organs they lack

Answer 9

• cecum
• appendix
• seminal vesicles

Question 10

Minimum breeding age

Answer 10

1 year

Question 11

Age @ puberty

Answer 11

9-12 mos

Question 12

Breeding season

Answer 12

• march to august
• light dependent

Question 13

Estrous cycle

Answer 13

Seasonally Polyestrous

Question 14

Litter size

Answer 14

• 2-17
• Avg. 8

Question 15

Lifespan

Answer 15

• 5 to 6 yrs in captivity
• 9 to 10 yrs as pets

Question 16

Handling

Answer 16

• easily caught w/ hands
• may bite if mishandled
• move slow

Question 17

Diet

Answer 17

• standard wet mink diet or dry cat food w/ 5% fresh liver
• can’t digest a lot of fiber
• can be fed ad libitum

Question 18

Research uses

Answer 18

• study immunopathology of viral diseases (influenza, canine distemper)
• susceptible to human, avian, and bovine tuberculosis
• can turn head 180 degrees and not get cerebral ischemia

Question 19

Distemper vx

Answer 19

• required if they go outside

Question 20

Vx recommendations

Answer 20

• 6-8 wks: first k9 distemper and fecal
• 9-12 wks: second k9 dist. And fecal
• 12 wks: rabies (killed)

Question 21

Bacterial diseases

Answer 21

• botulism: highly susceptible to toxin c; moderately susc. To toxins A and B; may cause hind leg paralysis
• tuberculosis: susceptible to avian, bovine, and human types

Question 22

Viral diseases

Answer 22

• distemper: morbilivirus genus; highly susc. To k9 version
• influenza: genus orthomyxovirus; specifically type A; susceptible to several human strains; pneumonia

Question 23

Fungal diseases

Answer 23

• ring worm (microsporum canis is common)
• lesions like cats
• treat with griseofulvin

Question 24

Parasitic diseases

Answer 24

• protozoa: toxoplasmosis
• isospora, eimeria
• susceptible to giardia

Question 25

Nematodes

Answer 25

- dirofilaria immitis - natural infection reported

Question 26

Mites

Answer 26

- sarcoptes scabei susceptible - ctenocephalides susceptible