Ferrets Flashcards
What type of virus is canine distemper virus
Enveloped, non-segmented RNA virus
What age do ferrets commonly get infected with distemper?
3-6 months (when they lose maternal antibodies)
What systems does CDV affect?
Respiratory, dermatologic, neurologic, (GI)
What are the most common early signs of CDV?
Lethargy, oculonasal discharge, diarrhea +/- fever
What are the mid-late signs of CDV?
Pruritus, papular rash affecting the chin and inguinal regions, hyperkeratosis, dyspnea, seizures, coma and death
What is the gestation length in ferrets?
39-43 days (most at 41-42, after 43 they die in utero)
What age do ferrets wean?
6-8 weeks
What is significant about ferret milk?
The fat content is 8-10% fat at birth, increases to 20% fat at 3 weeks
What can be used as a milk substitute for nursing ferrets?
Ideally keep at least partially on jill and add puppy/kitten MR q4 hrs OR 80% cows milk (full fat - 4%) + 20% chicken egg yolk or strained beef liver
What is the prognosis for ferrets who contract CDV?
Poor - can reach up to 100% mortality
How is CDV treated in ferrets?
Vaccination w/in 48hrs of infection (and to prevent transmission through herd), Vitamin A inj, oral Vit C, antibiotics, supportive care (famotidine, buprenorphine, etc)
What vaccines can induce CDV infection?
Modified live canine or mink origin vaccines (but less fatal infection)
What are the clinical signs of ferret rotavirus?
Yellow, watery diarrhea, dehydration, distended abdomen, soiled/erythematous perineum, death
How is ferret rotavirus transmitted?
Contact with infectious mothers or contaminated environment; via fecal-oral or possibly respiratory route
What age ferrets are most affected by rotavirus?
<2 months of age, with 1-3 weeks being affected the worst
What group of ferrets has the highest morbidity with rotavirus?
Primiparous jills at 90% morbidity; decreases 10-20% with each gestation
How is ferret rotavirus diagnosed?
PCR of fecal or small intestinal segments or electron microscopy of feces; ELISA will not detect all ferret rotavirus so not recommended
What species of coccidia affects ferrets?
Eimeria furonis
What type of vaccine is Purevax?
Live canarypox vector recombinant vaccine
How long are maternal antibodies present in ferret kits?
6 to 14 weeks
How common are congenital anomalies in ferrets?
They affect 3-4% of newborns
What association is there with appearance and congenital sensorineural deafness in ferrets?
Strong association with white-patterned coat and premature graying (panda, American panda, blaze colors)
What is the suspected cause of CSD in ferrets?
Failure of migration or maturation, premature death or dysfunction of neural crest melanocytes to stria vascularis of cochlea
What behavioral changes can be seen in deaf ferrets?
Abnormal social interactions, biting tendencies, louder than normal vocalizations
What is the most common ferret spinal congenital malformation?
Transitional vertebra
What is the most common congenital disease/malformation affecting the renal tract of ferrets?
Polycystic kidney disease (26% of ferrets in a study) and simple renal cysts (22%)
At what age do ferret testicles descend?
In fetal development in most cases, but occasionally delayed for several months after birth
What are two common differentials for diarrhea in juvenile ferrets?
Rotavirus and coccidiosis
What clinical signs can be observed with congenital cardiac malformations?
Cardiac murmur, exercise intolerance, chronic cough
What diagnostic test(s) should juvenile ferrets with tetraparesis, paraparesis, or ataxia have done? What is the most common cause?
Spinal radiographs including skull +/- CT/myelogram; spinal malformations such as transitional or block vertebrae
What tissues should be examined for viral inclusions in suspected CDV cases in ferrets?
Urinary bladder, renal pelvis and biliary epithelium
What 3 characteristics of the ferret GI tract indicate that they naturally consume little to no carbohydrates?
- Lack of cecum
- Limited brush border enzymes
- Unsophisticated gut microflora
In terms of macronutrients, what should ferret diets consist of?
High protein (35-40% DMB) and fat (15-20% DMB), low to no carbohydrates
What 3 essential fatty acids are required for optimal growth and health in ferrets?
Linoleic (omega 6), linolenic (omega 3), and arachidonic acid
Why is a fish-based diet not ideal for ferrets (2 reasons)?
- Palatability - ferrets don’t like
- Can cause thiamine deficiency due to thiaminase activity in fish
What is the ideal protein:fat ratio for ferret diets?
2:1 protein:fat ratio
Ferret diets should have less than __% carbohydrates and less than __% starch?
20%; 5%
What are the clinical signs of Helicobacter gastritis?
Melena, anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, hypersalivation, bruxism, coughing/gagging
Name 5 differentials for Helicobacter gastritis
- Foreign body
- Toxin ingestion
- Neoplasia
- NSAID usage
- Azotemia
What areas of the stomach/SI does Helicobacter colonize?
Antral area of stomach and pyloric area of duodenum
What is in the triple therapy commonly used to treat Helicobacter gastritis in ferrets?
Amoxicillin 10 mg/kg q8hrs, Metronidazole 20 mg/kg PO q8hrs, and bismuth subsalicylate 1 mL/kg PO q8hrs all for at least 21 days
What is the causative agent of epizootic catarrhal enteritis?
Ferret enteric coronavirus
What ferrets are most susceptible to ECE?
Adults
How is ECE treated?
Prednisone 1 mg/kg PO BID x 14 days and easily digestible diet OR Tylosin
What disease in ferrets resembles dry FIP in cats?
Ferret systemic coronavirus
What disease in ferrets is associated with these clinical signs: chronic weight loss, palpable abdominal masses, diarrhea, hypergammaglobulinemia, leukocytosis, anemia and possible CNS signs?
Ferret systemic coronavirus
What are 4 differentials for inflammatory bowel disease in ferrets?
- Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
- ECE
- Dietary indiscretion
- Lymphoma (primary ddx)
What are 4(+) causes of rectal prolapse in ferrets?
Coccidiosis, proliferative bowel disease, colitis, neoplasia (but really anything that causes diarrhea - prostatic disease, UO, enlarged sublumbar LN)
What type of neoplasia can chronic Helicobacter gastritis cause?
Pyloric adenocarcinoma or MALT lymphoma
How can GI lymphoma be grossly differentiated from adenocarcinoma of the GIT?
Lymphoma tends to be more diffuse and blend with surrounding tissue; adenocarcinoma is more localized and can cause blockage more readily
How is Helicobacter gastritis diagnosed?
Typically a diagnosis of exclusion; Definitive - histopath of endoscopic or surgical biopsy with silver-stain OR PCR of gastric mucosa or feces
What gastrointestinal condition is ubiquitous in North American ferrets and become clinically apparent at times of stress?
Helicobacter mustelae gastritis
Chronic infection with what disease can cause a ‘bird seed-like’, tan diarrhea in ferrets?
Ferret enteric coronavirus or epizootic catarrhal enteritis
What appearance can the stool of anorexic ferrets have?
Dark green/bile stool that resembles melena
What disease causes mucoid, green diarrhea, palpably thickened large bowel and proliferative rectal mucosa in ferrets?
Lawsonia intracellularis or proliferative bowel disease
How is proliferative bowel disease treated?
Chloramphenicol 50 mg/kg PO q12hrs x 10 days
At what age are ferrets considered geriatric?
3 yrs old
Where is blood pressure assessed in ferrets?
Forelimb or base of tail