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Special Species > Ferrets > Flashcards

Ferrets Flashcards

1
Q

What family do ferrets come from?

A

Mustelidae

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2
Q

Are ferrets closely related to mongoose?

A

NO

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3
Q

What sort of diet do ferrets need?

A

Strict carnivores

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4
Q

What should you remember about their mouths (2 things)?

A

Dental disease similar to cats, broken canines

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5
Q

What is a common GI disease ferrets get?

A

Gastric and duodenal ulcers

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6
Q

What bacteria is a problem for ferret GIs?

A

Helicobacter

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7
Q

What are ferrets a good model to test?

A

Anti-emetics

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8
Q

What is unique about their GIT?

A

Have jejuno-ileum b/c can’t differentiate the two

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9
Q

Do ferrets have a cecum?

A

No

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10
Q

What can affect intestinal motility in the ferret?

A

Cervical (mechanical from scruffing) vagal stimulation

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11
Q

What are 2 common causes of acute gastric ulcers?

A

FB

Toxins

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12
Q

What is a common causes of chronic gastric ulcers?

A

Infectious disease

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13
Q

What organism is a very common cause of gastritis?

A

Helicobacter mustelae

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14
Q

What are 5 clinical signs of Helicobacter gastritis?

A 
Bruxism
Ptyalism
Anorexia
Chronic weight loss
Melena
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15
Q

Do you expect vomiting with Helicobacter gastritis?

A

No, but can see blood-tinged vomit sometimes

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16
Q

How is Helicobacter gastritis diagnosed (2 ways)?

A

Fecal occult blood (remember carnivorous diet though)

CBC (regenerative anemia)

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17
Q

What makes it difficult to diagnose Helicobacter (2 things)

A

Difficult to culter

Endemic

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18
Q

What 4 things do you give to treat Helicobacter gastritis?

A

Abx (Metronidazole)
PPI (Sucralfate)
Mucosal protectant (Pepto)
H2 Receptor agonist (Famotidine or Ranitidine)

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19
Q

If you give Pepto to ferrets as a mucosal protectant, what do you need to be aware of?

A

NSAIDs in Pepto

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20
Q

What are clinical signs for FB?

A

Similar to that in other animals

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21
Q

What aer 3 ways you can dx a FB in a ferret?

A

Palpation
Radiographs
Exploratory

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22
Q

What 4 methods can be used to treat a FB?

A

Lubricants
Antibiotics
Fluids
Sx when needed

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23
Q

How does a hairball look on RADs with contrast?

A

See a stringy effect

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24
Q

What do you need to get in cases of ferret diarrhea?

A

A detailed history (where ferret came from, description of diarrhea, home environment, behaviour)

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25
Q

What are 6 causes of diarrhea?

A 
FB
Viral
Dietary indiscretion
IBD
Proliferative bowel dz
Lymphoma
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26
Q

What major virus causes diarrhea?

A

Corona virus causes ECE (epizootic catarrhal enteritis)

NOTE: Similar to FIP

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27
Q

What 2 bacteria cause proliferative bowel dz?

A

Campylobacter

Lawsonia

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28
Q

What is IBD usually?

A

Lymphoblastic

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29
Q

What are 4 possible causes of IBD?

A

Genetics
Food allergy
Prednisone (can allow Helicobacter overgrowth)
Azothiaprine and metronidazole (both immunosuppressive) and Vit B12

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30
Q

What type of diarrhea do you see with ECE?

A

Profuse, mucoid, green slime

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31
Q

What causes Epizootic catarrhal enteritis?

A

Coronavirus

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32
Q

What ferrets are susceptible to ECE?

A

Older ferrets

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33
Q

What 3 clinical signs will you see with ECE?

A

Lethargy
Dehydration
Anorexia

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34
Q

What does ferret systemic coronavirus resemble?

A

Looks like FIP b/c causes pyogranulomatous inflammation in peritoneum, liver, kidneys, pancreas etc.

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35
Q

If you have mucoid stool, what should you think of?

A

Parasites

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36
Q

If you have melena, what 3 things should you think of?

A

FB
Hairball
Ulcer

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37
Q

If you have other abnormal stool forms, what should you think of?

A

Metabolic dz

IDB

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38
Q

Where is the ferret lung field?

A

From 1st-10th intercostal space

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39
Q

How many ribs do ferrets have?

A

14

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40
Q

How many sternebrae do ferrets have?

A

9

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41
Q

How are lungs divided in the ferret?

A

Same as dogs and cats
Left - cranial and caudal lobes
Right - cranial, middle, caudal and accessory

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42
Q

What must you remember with ferret influenza?

A

Can get it from humans, so make sure owners know that sick people should stay away from ferret or at least wear a mask

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43
Q

How long does ferret influenza last?

A

7-14 days

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44
Q

What 4 things can you give to treat ferret influenza?

A

Support
Antihistamines
Cough suppressants
Prophylactic abx (prevent progression to pneumonia)

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45
Q

What are 3 causes of pneumonia in ferrets?

A

Aspiration (meds or vomit)
Bordatella
Pasturella

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46
Q

How do you treat ferret pneumonia (2 drugs)?

A

TMS

Chloramphenical

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47
Q

How can you prevent pneumonia?

A

Separate from sick dogs/separate boarding facilities

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48
Q

What dz is fatal in ferrets?

A

Canine distemper

NOTE: NOT TX, MUST VACCINATE

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49
Q

How fast does distemper progress?

A

12-42 days

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50
Q

What are 3 ways distemper is transmitted?

A

Direct contact
Fomites
Aerosolization

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51
Q

What are 5 major clinical signs of distemper?

A 
Anorexia
Pyrexia
Chin dermatitis
Nasoocular discharge
Hardpad (hyperkeratosis)
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52
Q

What can you see in the CNS with Distemper?

A

Non-suppurative encephalitis/demyelination

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53
Q

How do you dx a ferret with heartworm (2 ways)?

A

Echo

Snap test

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54
Q

What clinical signs will you see with HW?

A

Similar to dog

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55
Q

What two things can you use to treat HW in a ferret?

A

Thiacetarcemide

Ivermectin plus steroids

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56
Q

How do you prevent HW in ferrets (2 ways)?

A

Heartgard

Feline Revolution off label

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57
Q

Can ferrets have allergies?

58
Q

In a ferret with respiratory distress, what must you always remember to check?

A

Teeth, could have tooth root abscess

59
Q

What 3 things should you consider if there is blood or continuous sneezing?

A

FB
Rhinitis
Sinusitis

60
Q

What can cause urolithiasis and urinary tract obstruction?

A

Poor quality diet -> causes crystals to form

61
Q

What are 2 other diseases that can cause urinary tract obstruction?

A

Adrenal dz

Prostatomegaly

62
Q

How can you treat urinary tract obstruction or urolithiasis (3 ways)?

A

Urinary catheter
Fluids
Sx

63
Q

What are 2 things you can do to help in urinary tract obstruction or urolithiasis aftercare?

A

Diet change

Antimicrobial therapy

64
Q

How do you pass a urinary catheter in a female ferret?

A

Ventral recumbency, back end elevated.

Urethral opening on floor of urethral vestibule ~1cm cranial to clitoral fossa

65
Q

How do you place a urinary catheter in a male ferret?

A

Dorsal recumbency, penis exteriorized
Urethral opening on ventral surface of penis
Dilate opening with 24G IVC, then insert urinary cath

66
Q

How do you treat hyperestrogenism in a ferret?

A

HCG injection to stop estrus, and OVH when stable

67
Q

If a ferret is not bred, what 2 issues can she develop?

A

Estrogen toxicity

Bone marrow suppression

68
Q

What is prostatic dz often secondary to?

A

Adrenal dz

69
Q

What can prostatic dz lead to?

A

Urethral obstruction

70
Q

What are 4 ways to treat prostatic dz?

A

Tx adrenal dz
Abx
Drain infected fluid
Surgical debulking

71
Q

What is the most common cutaneous neoplasia?

A

Mast cell tumors and Basal cell tumors

72
Q

What are 3 major points to know about mast cell and basal cell tumors?

A

They don’t typically metastasize
Can be surgically removed
Prognosis is good

73
Q

What 2 types of cutaneous neoplasias metastasize?

A

Fibrosarcoma

Sebaceous gland adenoma

74
Q

What are 2 common dermatophytes we see with ferrets?

A

Microsporum canis

Trichophyton metagrophytes

75
Q

How are the dermatophytes transmitted?

A

direct contact

76
Q

How do you treat the dermatophytes (4 ways)?

A

Iodine shampoo
Chlorhexidine shampoo
Griseofulvin
Disinfect environment

77
Q

Do ferrets get fleas?

78
Q

Do ferrets get ear mites?

79
Q

What 3 places do you see generalized sarcoptes?

A

Face
Pinna
Ventrum

80
Q

What 3 places do you see localized sarcoptes?

A

Paws
Nails
Toes

81
Q

How do you diagnose sarcoptes?

A

Skin scrape

82
Q

How do you treat sarcoptes?

A

Ivermectin or lyme sulfur dips

83
Q

What is the most common cause of otitis media/interna?

A

Pasturella multiocida

84
Q

How do you diagnose otitis media/interna?

85
Q

What are 3 treatments for otitis media/interna?

A

Enrofloxacin systemic and topical
Chloramphenicol
Flush ears with saline (under anaesthesia)

86
Q

What should be your top 2 differentials if you suspect a viral dz causing neurologic signs?

A

Distemper (more likely)

Rabies

87
Q

What is the prognosis of distemper

88
Q

If neurotropic phase of distemper develops, what is the best course of action?

A

To elect euthanasia because it can be very painful and stressful

89
Q

What should be done if you suspect rabies?

A

Euthanize and send to state lab for testing.

NOTE: Keep Rabies on ddx for rabbits and GPs and other rodents with neuro signs and exposure to wildlife

90
Q

What are the 2 big endocrine diseases of small ferrets?

A

Adrenal dz

Insulinoma

91
Q

What is the most common endocrine dz of ferrets?

A

Adrenal dz

92
Q

What is the typical presentation of a ferret with adrenal dz?

A

Perfectly symmetrical bilateral alopecia

93
Q

What adrenal gland dz will you NOT see in a ferret?

A

Hypersecretino of cortisol (Cushings)

94
Q

What is good to remember about adenomas, adenocarcinomas and adrenocarcinomas?

A

Lots are benign, but should never assume. If you remove it, biopsy

95
Q

What is adrenal glang dz going to be a hypersecretion of?

A

Sex hormones

96
Q

What is adrenal dz related to in ferrets?

A

Early spay/neuter as altered animals will again develop sex hormones

97
Q

What 4 tests can’t you use in ferrets for endocrine testing?

A

Serum cortisol (not elevated)
ACTH stim test/Dex suppression test
Urinary Cortisol:Creatinine (not a specific indicator)

98
Q

What is the only reliable means of diagnosing adrenal dz?

A

Serum concentrations of steroid hormones at Tennessee

99
Q

What are 8 clinical signs of adrenal dz?

A 
Symmetrical alopecia
Pruritis
Erythema
Secual behaviours
Vulvar enlargement
Bone marrow toxicity
Urinary obstruction
Stronger smell
100
Q

How do you treat adrenal dz medically?

A

Leuprolide acetate monthly injection

NOTE: This is a GnRH agonist

101
Q

Why is adrenalectomy not common to see done (2 reason)?

A

Right adrenal glad is REALLY close to vena cava

Recurrence likely in other gland if only unilateral

102
Q

What is an insulinoma?

A

Beta cell tumor of the pancreas causing hypersecretion of insulin

103
Q

What are 8 clinical signs of a insulinoma?

A 
Decreased activity
Weight loss
Difficult arousal from sleep
Hypothermia
Ptyalism
Mental dullness
Tremors
Collapse
104
Q

How do you dx an insulinoma?

105
Q

What can be really frustrating about insulinomas?

A

Lots of little ones pop up that are not mets, makes this really difficult to remove surgically

106
Q

How do you treat an insulinoma?

A

Prednisone to block peripheral uptake of glucose and increase hepatic gluconeogenesis

107
Q

T/F: After a nodulectomy or partial pancreatectomy, pancreatitis is rare.

108
Q

What age do ferrets seem to get lymphoma?

A

6mos -1yr or 3-5 yrs

109
Q

What is the description of lymphoma in a young ferret?

A

Acute onset, rapidly progressive, multicentric, involves lung and kidney (among others)

110
Q

What is the description of lymphoma in an older ferret?

A

Chronic, better survival times

111
Q

What are the 3 general clinical signs of lymphoma?

A

Anorexia
Weight loss
Lethargy

112
Q

What are 4 clinical signs of GI/abdominal lymphoma?

A

Emesis
Diarrhea
Tenesus
Splenomegaly

113
Q

What are 3 clinical signs of mediastinal lymphoma?

A

Dyspnea
Coughing
Regurgitation

114
Q

How do you diagnose lymphoma?

115
Q

What are 3 ways you can treat lymphoma?

A

Surgery
Chemo
Steroids

116
Q

What is a ferret chordoma?

A

Smooth, round, firm mass that develops on the tail tip from the original notocord

117
Q

Can a chrodoma metastasize?

118
Q

How do you treat a chordoma?

A

Tail amputation

119
Q

What is Aleutian dz?

A

A parvovirus that lays dormant until animal is stressed

Is an immune mediated disorder

120
Q

How is Aleutian dz transmitted?

A

ferret-ferret or mink-ferret with aerosolization OR contact

VERY hardy in environment

121
Q

How is Aleutian dz characterized?

A

Hypergammaglobulinemia

122
Q

What are 5 clinical signs of Aleutian dz?

A 
Chronic wt. loss
Cachexia
Malaise
Melena
Posterior paresis
123
Q

What is the progression of Aleutian dz?

A

Vasculitis -> Multiple organ failure -> Sudden death

124
Q

What is the treatment for Aleutian dz?

125
Q

What 3 signs do you see in cardiac dz?

A

Cyanosis
Tachypnea
Increased CRT

126
Q

What might you notice about the jugular in cardiac dz?

A

Distended or pulses

127
Q

What might you hear in the lungs with a case of cardiac dz?

A

Pulmonary crackles

Ascites

128
Q

What are 4 major radiographic signs you’ll see in cardiac dz?

A

Globoid heart
Diffuse interstitial pattern
Hepato/splenomegaly
Pleural effusion

129
Q

Describe a normal ECG.

A

Small P wave
Large R wave
Short QT interval
Elevated ST segment

130
Q

What is the normal range for a ferret heart rate?

A

180-230bpm

131
Q

What is the most common cardiac dz in ferrets?

132
Q

What are 3 things that we should recommend in cases of cardiac dz?

A

O2
Low sodium diet
Diuretics

133
Q

What is the prognosis of cardaic dz?

A

Poor, even with aggressive therapy

134
Q

How common is splenomegaly and how is it typically found?

A

Very common, incidental finding

135
Q

What are 3 causes for primary splenomegaly?

A

Lymphoma
Splenic neoplasia
ADV

136
Q

What are 4 causes for secondary splenomegaly?

A

Insulinoma
Adrenal dz
Cardiac dz
Dental dz

137
Q

What are some indications for a splenectomy?

A 
Discomfort
Inflammation
Neoplasia
Torsion
Rupture
Abscess
138
Q

What is hypersplenism?

A

Excessive destruction of RBCs, WBCs and/or platelets (cytopenia on CBC, confirm with bone marrow aspirate)

139
Q

How do you dx hypersplenism?

A

Cytopenia on CBC

140
Q

How do you confirm hypersplenism?

A

Bone marrow aspirate

141
Q

What are 3 indications for a splenic aspiration?

A

Anything irregular with the spleen
Anemia of unknown origin
Lymphoma/sarcoma

142
Q

What is the technique for splenic aspiration?

A

Percutaneous with rigid restraint of spleen using a 25G needle with 6cc syringe

Special Species (2 decks)

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