Ferrets

Question 1

Ferrets are classified into which order and family?

Answer 1

Order = Carnivora
Family = Mustelidae

Question 2

Give the names of the following:

• Female
• Neutered female
• Male
• Neutered male
• Vasectomised male
• Young

Answer 2

• Jill
• Sprite
• Hob
• Gib
• Hoblet
• Kitten/pup

Question 3

What is a ferrets lifespan?

Answer 3

6-9 years

Question 4

Why are ferrets prone to heat stroke?

Answer 4

They have no sweat glands

Question 5

What gives a characteristic ‘ferret odour’

Answer 5

Sebaceous glands all over body, especially at mouth and anus

Question 6

What is a ferrets vertebral formula?

Answer 6

C7, T15, L5, S3, Cd18

Question 7

How many digits are on a ferrets foot?

Answer 7

5

Question 8

What is a ferrets permanent dental formula?

Answer 8

I 3/3, C 1/1, PM 3/3, M 1/2 = 34 total

Question 9

What are the 5 pairs of salivary glands?

Answer 9

• submandibular
• parotid
• sublingual
• molar
• zygomatic

Question 10

How is the GI system of the ferret adapted to their diet?

Answer 10

• Obligate carnivores
• don’t chew food before eating
• stomach is capable of large distortion, allowing gorging
• rapid intestinal transit time
• lack the ability to digest fibre

Question 11

What is a ferrets normal RR?

Answer 11

30-40 bpm

Question 12

Are ferrets obligate nasal breathers?

Answer 12

No, but they prefer to use this route

Question 13

Describe the ferrets lung lobulation

Answer 13

Left lung = cranial and caudal lobes

Right lung = cranial, accessory, middle and caudal lobes

Question 14

What is a ferrets resting HR? Where is this auscelated?

Answer 14

180-250 bpm

Between ribs 6-8

Question 15

At what age do ferrets reach sexual maturity?

Answer 15

6-8 months

Question 16

Are ferrets young born altricial or precocial?

Answer 16

Altericial

Question 17

How long is a ferrets gestation?

Answer 17

42 days

Question 18

Describe a female ferrets uterus

Answer 18

Bicornuate Y-shaped

Question 19

How does a ferrets male anatomy differ to a dogs?

Answer 19

Ferret has a J-shaped os penis

Question 20

When do female ferrets come into season?

Answer 20

Seasonal monoestrous breeders

- Come into season in response to increasing day length

Question 21

What is the most common clinical presenting sign of adrenal disease in ferrets?

Answer 21

Alopecia

Question 22

In ferrets what is adrenal disease associated with?

Answer 22

• Neutering in both sexes - lack of negative feedback

- Abnormal photoperiod: extending ‘daylight’ in housed animals leads to decrease melatonin

Question 23

Adrenal disease in ferrets occurs as a result of and over production of what?

Answer 23

Sex hormones:
Estradiol
Androsterone and testosterone

Question 24

How can adrenal disease in ferrets be prevented?

Answer 24

• Keep entire jills with a vasectomised male: mating results in ovulation thus reducing risk of excessive prolonged oestrogen production
• Ensure ferrets are mature if going to be neutered