Ferrets Flashcards
To what family do ferrets belong?
Mustelidae
What is the scientific name of ferrets?
Mustela putorius furo
Temperature and humidity ranges for ferrets?
39-64F (Poorly developed sweat glands so do not tolerate heat well)
40-65%
Lighting for breeding ferrets
16:8
Induced vs spontaneous ovulation? What season do they breed?
Induced
Seasonal, long day breeders
How long after mating does ovulation occur?
30-40 hours
Type of placentation
Zonary endothelialchorial
Gestation length
41-42 days
When do a kit’s eyes open, develop hearing and develop their deciduous teeth?
Deciduous teeth - 14 d
Hear - 32 d
Eyes open - 34 d
When are kits weaned?
6 weeks
How does C. perfringens present in ferrets?
Acute abdominal distension, dyspnea and cyanosis in weanlings
Campylobacter jejuni
Self-limiting diarrhea in kits, anorexia, dehydration, tenesmus; can be cultured from asymptomatic animals
Helicobacter mustelae
Chronic gastritis (model of human H. pylori gastritis) –> Asymptomatic or vomiting, melena (ulcers), weight loss. Gastric adenocarcinoma associated.
Can treat w/ triple therapy (amoxicillin, metronidazole, bismuth subsalicylate)
Lawsonia intracellularis
Chronic diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss +/- ataxia, muscle tremors (usually young)
Segmental thickening of colon, bacteria in apical epithelial cells w/ silver stain
Supportive care + chloramphenicol or metronidazole for 2 weeks
Tuberculosis
Acid-fast rods
M. bovis - Disseminated disease, weight loss, anorexia, lethargy, death; miliary lesions in viscera (MLNs)
M. tuberculosis - Localized disease, few organisms observed
M. avium - Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss; pulmonary involvement and granulomatous enteritis
Salmonella spp.
S. typhimuris - Conjunctivitis, rapid weight loss, tarry stool, temperature, pallor, gastric petechiae
S. dublin - Abortion, still births, necrotizing endometritis
Hemorrhagic GIT mucous, edematous villi, necrotic hepatosplenic foci, necrotizing endometritis +/- rupture
When does mastitis usually occur? Treatment?
After parturition - 3 weeks of lactation
Broad spectrum abx for mom and kits, supplement kits with milk replacer; sx resection of affected glands in acute cases
Canine distemper
-Paramyxovirus (enveloped, RNA)
-Fatal in ferrets!!
-Catarrhal phase 7-10 days (anorexia, pyrexia, photosensitivity, nasal discharge, ventral rash, pawpad hyperkeratosis –> CNS phase (tremors, paralysis) –> Death within 12-16 days for ferret strains or 35 days for dog strains
-MLV ferret vaccine
Aleutian Disease
-Parvovirus (amdoparvovirus, DNA, non-enveloped)
-Ferrets infected as adults become PI but rarely develop dz (chronic progressive weight loss, cachexia, malaise and melena, neuro signs possible)
-Elevated gammaglobulins
-Disinfection with formalin, NaOH, phenolics
-Consistently see periportal lymphocytic infiltrates on path
Influenza
-Orthomyxovirus (Enveloped, RNA)
-Transmission between ferrets and humans
-Anorexia, fever, sneezing, nasal d/c +/- conjunctivitis, photosensitivity and otitis
-Model for influenza infection
Rabies
-Rhabdovirus (Lyssavirus, RNA, enveloped)
-Killed vx at 3 months, 1 year then annually (Do NOT use MLV)
Rotavirus
-Non-enveloped, RNA
-Diarrhea in kits 1 day-6weeks old
-Jills develop immunity and pass on to subsequent litters
Ferret enteric coronavirus/Epizootic catarrhal enteritis
-Alphacoronavirus (Enveloped, RNA)
-Green slime dz
-Often see in young animals being introduced to a colony of adults
-Lethargy, green mucoid diarrhea, vomiting
-Hallmark path = Lymphocytic enteritis with villous atrophy and necrosis and vacuolation of enterocytes at villous tips
Ferret Systemic Coronaviral Disease
-Alphacoronavirus
-Similar to FIP in cats (dry form)
-Young animals (<1 year)
-Nonspecific clinical signs +/- neuro
-Nonregenerative anemia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, thrombocytopenia
-Hallmark path = Severe pyogranulomatous inflammation
Coccidia
-Isospora laidlawi, Eimeria furonia and E. icidea
-Usually subclinical but can see dz in young ferrets
-Jejunum and ileum –> Villous and epithelial thickening, cysts within epithelium, inflammation
-Treat ferrets with sulfadimethoxine or ponazuril and decontaminate w/ heat or ammmonium hydroxide
Sarcoptes scabiei
-Generalized (intensely pruritic) or pedal form
Demodex
-Pruritis, alopecia, orange skin discoloration on ventrum and behind ears
-Deep skin scrape
Ear mite
-Otodectes cynotis
-Usually asymptomatic, but can see head shaking, itching, otitis interna
-Direct life cycle, 3 weeks
-Topical treatment with ivermectin or selamectin
Pregnancy Toxemia
-Primiparous jills with large litters, fasting
-Metabolic type
-Melena, easily epilated hair, anorexia, lethargy, dystocia
Hyperestrogenism
-If not bred, remain in estrus –> Bone marrow hypoplasia and anemia
-Vulvar swelling, bilateral alopecia, depression, weight loss, mucopurulent vaginal d/c
-Normocytic, normochromic anemia, coagulopathies, thrombocytopenia
-Tx = hCG or GnRH to induce ovulation, breed, OHE or deslorelin implant (GnRH analog)
Zinc toxicity
-Leaching of zinc from steam sterilized galvanized bowls
-Enlarged, pale, soft kidneys, orange liver +/- gastric hemorrhage
Most common neoplasia in ferrets?
Insulinomas
Insulinoma
-Functional pancreatic islet cell tumor (most common tumor in ferrets)
-Intermittent weight loss, vomiting, ataxia, lethargy, posterior paresis, splenomegaly, lymphocytosis, ptyalism
-Hypoglycemia –> Tremors, disorientation, seizures
-Tx = Sx removal or prednisone +/- diazoxide and frequent high protein meals
Adrenal tumor
-2ng most common
-Elevated sex steroids by zona reticularis –> Weight loss, bilateral alopecia, variable pruritis, vulvar swelling or prostatic changes
-Tx = Monthly Lupron injections (GnRH superantagonist) or Deslorelin implant*
Lymphoma
-More aggressive in ferrets <2 yo
-Multicentric and GI forms most common
Most common skin tumor in ferrets
Mast cell tumor
Disseminated idiopathic myofasciitis
-<18 mo ferrets
-Fever, paresis, inappetence +/- hind end pain, muscle atrophy, enlarged lymph nodes
-All muscle types
Why are repeated blood transfusions ok in ferrets?
No antibodies to erythrocyte antigens
