Ferrets Flashcards
FE01-02
start of FE01
what order and family are ferrets in?
Carnivora
Mustelidae
what is the species name of ferrets
Mustela putorius
what is the average lifespan of a ferret?
6-8y
what are male ferrets called?
hobs
what are female ferrets called?
jills
what is the average weight of a male ferret?
1-2kg
what is the average weight of a female ferret?
0.5-1kg
what is the gestation period of a ferret
41-43d
how long do ferrets sleep per day
18h
where is the heart positioned in a ferret?
caudally, 6-8th rib
how to sex a ferret?
male: greater ano-genital distance, os penis
female: v-shaped vulva
what is the oestrus/ovulation for ferrets?
seasonally polyoestrus (can last 6mo)
reflex ovulators
normal body temp of ferrets?
37.8-40 C
normal HR of ferrets?
200-300 bpm
normal RR of ferrets?
30-40bpm
persisten oestrus is common in ferrets, what condition can it lead to?
anaemia
what is the blood volume of ferrets?
10% of BW
how much of the blood volume can be collected safely from a ferret?
10% of blood volume
(1% of BW)
(10-20mL from adult male ferret)
what sedation is commonly used in ferrets
katamine/medazolam
name 3 side effects of isoflurane / sevoflurane on ferrets blood parameters?
- decreased RBCC
- decr PCV
- decr. Hb concentration
name the vessel being used for blood collection in a ferret
dorsal recumbency, insert at thoracic inlet at 30 degree angle towards contralateral hind leg
cranial vena cava
what is the average urine output of a ferret
30mL per 24h
what is the average urine pH for ferrets
6-7.5
name 3 locations for bone marrow aspiration in ferrets
- iliac crest
- proximal femur
- proximal humerus
what is the maintenance fluid rate for ferrets
100 mL/kg/day
(same as dogs and cats)
what vein to use for IV fluids in ferrets?
cephalic vein
name 4 licensed flea treatments for ferrets
(cat dose, reduce frequnecy due to increase sebum layer in skin)
- Fipronil
- imidocloprid (Advantage)
- imidocloprid and moxidectin (Advocate)
- ivermectin spot on
what vaccine should be given to ferrets?
modified live multivalent, immunity within 1wk, off-license;
adverse reactions possible
distemper vaccine
what 3 things are needed for a ferret to travel to an EU country or NI from GB?
- animal health certificate (AHC)
- up to date rabies vaccine
- microchip
name the ectoparasite affecting ferrets
generalised alopecia and severe pruritis;
sometimes localised to the feet;
nails deform and slough;
ZOONOTIC
Sarcoptes scabei
how to treat Sarcoptes scabei in ferrets?
ivermectin
(0.2-0.4 mg/kg SC 14d)
name the ectoparasite affecting ferrets
may be asymptomatic;
pruritis and crusting (profuse brown waxy discharge normal);
treat with selamectin or ivermectin;
ear drops may be ineffective as small canal
Otodectes cyanotis
(ear mites)
name the ectoparasite affecting ferrets
cat and dog fleas;
asymptomatic OR pruritis and alopecia;
treatment: cat dose of imidacloprid, moxidectin, fipronil, etc ;
important to ask about other pets in the house
Ctenocephalides
name the pathogen that can cause ‘lumpy jaw’ lesions in ferrets
Actinomyces pyogenes
what is the most common cause of fungal skin disease in ferrets
Microsporum canis
(Trichophyton mentagrophytes is less common)
what is the current UK reccommendation on neutering ferrets?
NOT to do it
why is neutering ferrets not recommended?
incr risk of developing adrenal disease
name 3 ways to prevent reproduction in ferrets without neutering
- Suprelorin implant (Deslorelin)
- Delvosterone (Proligesterone) - ‘jill jab’ - no longer available
- vasectomising a hob (hobble)
name the implant
GnRH agonist;
chemical neutering;
cessation of reproduction behaviour (after initial 2wk increase);
licensed in male ferrets only for cessation of breeding;
testes shrink in size;
males become steril after 4wks;
reversible
Deslorelin implants
start of FE02
what is the most common form of adrenal disease in ferrets
hyperandrogenism
name the syndrome seen in ferrets based on the area of adrenal cortex affected:
zona glomerulosa
hyperaldosteronism
(mineralocorticoid)
name the syndrome seen in ferrets based on the area of adrenal cortex affected:
zona fasciculate
hypercortisolism
(gluccocorticoid)
name the syndrome seen in ferrets based on the area of adrenal cortex affected:
zona reticularis
hyperandrogenism
(androgens)
name 5 clinical signs associated with sex steroids seen in ferrets with adrenal disease
- bilateral symmetrical alopecia (often begins at tail and in spring)
- vulval swelling
- male sexual behaviour in castrated animals
- prostatic hyperplasia, urethral obsrtuction
- pruritis
name 2 ways to diagnose adrenal disease in ferrets
- u/s of adrenal glands
- elevated plasma androstenadione, oestradiol and hydroxyprogesterone
what is the treatment of choice for adrenal disease in ferrets
GnRH agonists
name 3 clinical signs of hyperoestrogenism in femal ferrets
- bone marrow suppression (anaemia and pancytopaenia)
- alopecia over tail base
- weakness, pallor, etc
name 3 differential diagnoses for hyperoestrogenism in female ferrets
- adrenal gland disease
- seasonal alopecia
- neoplasia (bone marrow)
name 4 treatments for hyperoestrogenism in female ferrets
- IV fluids
- assisted feeding
- iron, vitamin B
- prophylactic abx
when should blood transfusion be given to female ferrets with hyperoestrogenism?
if PCV < 15%
name 4 clinical signs of insulinoma in ferrets
- depression, recumbency
- collapse
- hypersalivation
- ‘glassy-eyed’ appearance
(acute)
what blood glucose in ferrets is diagnostic for an insulinoma
< 3.3 mmol/L
what is the normal blood glucose for a ferret
5-7 mmol/L
name 4 emergency treatments for insulinoma in ferrets
- feed patient
- glucocorticoids
- dexamethasone
- IV diluted dextrose
what is the medical therapy for insulinomas in ferrets
long term prednisolone and regular feeds
what is the prognosis for a ferret with an insulinoma on medical therapy?
6-18mo
how to diagnose a GI obstruction in ferrets
radiograph
(stomach diff to palpate bc w/in ribcage)
name the causal agent of gastroduodenal ulcers in ferrets;
a sprial bacteria
Helicobacter mustelae
name 5 clinical signs of gastroduodenal ulcers
- anorexia, lethargy
- teeth grinding
- ptyalism
- diarrhoea
- melaena
(or asymptomatic)
how to diagnose gastroduodenal ulcers in ferrets?
gastric endoscopy
(clinical signs, stomach and duodenal biopsies, culture)
name 3 treatments for gastroduodenal ulcers in ferrets
- metronidazole + amoxycillin
- antacide (ranitidine, cimetidine, or famotidine)
- mucosal protectant (omeprazole or sucralfate)
name 6 endoparasites causing GI disease in ferrets
- Toxascaris leonina
- Toxocara cani
- Ancylostoma
- Diplylidium caninum
- giardia
- coccidiosis
what is the treatment for Lawsonia intracellularis causing proliferative enteritis in ferrets?
Chloramphenicol 50mg/kg BID PO for 2-3wks
name the ferret disease
highly infective (faecal-oral);
fomite transfer;
can recover and relapse (intermittent diarrhoea);
more severe in older ferrets;
anorexia, lethargy, green diarrhoea, melaena;
elevated WBC, anaemia, elevated ALT, ASP
Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE)
how long is the incubation for canine distemper virus (CDV) in ferrets?
7-10d
name 5 clinical signs of canine distemper virus (CDV) in ferrets
- rash on chin
- dermatitis around perineum
- anorexia, pyrexia, depression
- photophobia blepharospasm
- mucopurulent oculonasal discharge
name the viral disease affecting ferrets
parvovirus;
common disease of farmed mink;
vertical and horizontal transmission;
immune complex mediated disease (multiple organ failure)
Aleutian disease
name 6 clinical signs of aleutian disease in ferrets
- posterior ataxia
- persistent tremor
- paresis or paralysis
- generalised malaise
- weight loss
- melaena
what sign seen in bloods is highly suggestive of Aleutian Disease in ferrets
hypergammaglobulinaemia
name 3 clinical signs of lymphoma in JUVENILE ferrets
- pleural effusion
- dyspnoea
- coughing
what is the prognosis for lymphoma in ferrets
6-10mo;
response poor
