Ferrets Flashcards
Ferrets are classified into which order and family?
Order = Carnivora Family = Mustelidae
Give the names of the following:
- Female
- Neutered female
- Male
- Neutered male
- Vasectomised male
- Young
- Jill
- Sprite
- Hob
- Gib
- Hoblet
- Kitten/pup
What is a ferrets lifespan?
6-9 years
Why are ferrets prone to heat stroke?
They have no sweat glands
What gives a characteristic ‘ferret odour’
Sebaceous glands all over body, especially at mouth and anus
What is a ferrets vertebral formula?
C7, T15, L5, S3, Cd18
How many digits are on a ferrets foot?
5
What is a ferrets permanent dental formula?
I 3/3, C 1/1, PM 3/3, M 1/2 = 34 total
What are the 5 pairs of salivary glands?
- submandibular
- parotid
- sublingual
- molar
- zygomatic
How is the GI system of the ferret adapted to their diet?
- 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
What is a ferrets normal RR?
30-40 bpm
Are ferrets obligate nasal breathers?
No, but they prefer to use this route
Describe the ferrets lung lobulation
Left lung = cranial and caudal lobes
Right lung = cranial, accessory, middle and caudal lobes
What is a ferrets resting HR? Where is this auscelated?
180-250 bpm
Between ribs 6-8
At what age do ferrets reach sexual maturity?
6-8 months
Are ferrets young born altricial or precocial?
Altericial
How long is a ferrets gestation?
42 days
Describe a female ferrets uterus
Bicornuate Y-shaped
How does a ferrets male anatomy differ to a dogs?
Ferret has a J-shaped os penis
When do female ferrets come into season?
Seasonal monoestrous breeders
- Come into season in response to increasing day length
What is the most common clinical presenting sign of adrenal disease in ferrets?
Alopecia
In ferrets what is adrenal disease associated with?
- Neutering in both sexes - lack of negative feedback
- Abnormal photoperiod: extending ‘daylight’ in housed animals leads to decrease melatonin
Adrenal disease in ferrets occurs as a result of and over production of what?
Sex hormones:
Estradiol
Androsterone and testosterone
How can adrenal disease in ferrets be prevented?
- 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
