ferrets

Question 1

female ferret

Answer 1

jill

Question 2

neutered female

Answer 2

sprite

Question 3

male ferret

Answer 3

hob

Question 4

neutered male ferret

Answer 4

gib

Question 5

vasectomised male ferret

Answer 5

hoblet

Question 6

baby ferret

Answer 6

kitten/pup

Question 7

lifespan of ferret

Answer 7

6-9 yrs

Question 8

weight of ferret

Answer 8

0.6 - 2kg

Question 9

integument features of ferrets

Answer 9

fine dense undercoat
second layer of course guard hairs
thick skin and hair over back of neck - prevents against injury during fighting and mating
no sweat glands - heat stroke
sebaceous glands all over body - higher density around mouth and anus
anal glands

Question 10

vertebral formula

Answer 10

C 7 T15 L5 S3 Cd18

Question 11

permanent dentition formula

Answer 11

I 3/3 C 1/1 Pm 3/3 M 1/2 34 teeth total

Question 12

GI tract features

Answer 12

don’t chew before eating
stomach capable of enormous distention - hold 50mg/kg
no true gastro - oesophageal sphincter - CAN vomit
rapid intestinal transit time
lack the ability to digest fibre
no caecum, no appendix, no ileocolic junction/valve

Question 13

respiratory features

Answer 13

small nostrils
not obligate nasal breathers but do preferentially use this route
rate = 30-40bpm
left lung = 2 lobes
right lung = four lobes

Question 13

cardiovascular features

Answer 13

resting hear rate = 180 - 250 bpm
auscultated more caudally than in dog or cat - 6th - 8th rib
urine output - indirect measure of cardiac output

Question 14

failure of jill to mate

Answer 14

prolonged production of oestrogen
bone marrow suppression and anaemia
death

Question 15

signs of adrenal disease

Answer 15

alopecia
aggression
swollen vulva
difficulty urinating - males
muscle loss