Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Exotics (SA) > Ferrets > Flashcards

Ferrets Flashcards

1
Q

What type of breeders are ferrets?

A

Seasonal (long day) breeders

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are working ferrets used for?

A

Rabbit hunting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What type of diet do ferrets have e.g. omnivore, herbivore, carnivore?

A

Obligate carnivore

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Do ferrets prefer to be kept in groups or solitary?

A

Very sociable
Pairs or groups of any sex (depends on personality)
Sleep together in piles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why is GI disease very common in ferrets?

A

Very curious - will attempt to eat almost anything

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What conditions may cause a ferret to ingest a foreign body (pica)?

A

Hepatopathy

Inflammatory bowel disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why does foreign body ingestion in ferrets show rapid clinical signs?

A

Ferrets have a short GI transit time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a trichobezoar?

A

Ingested mass of hair

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Are trichobezoars normal or pathological in ferrets?

A

Can be either

Due to self grooming or pruritic skin disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What bacteria causes GI infections (and anaemia) in < 2 yrs or stress/sick ferrets? (or a recent diet change)

A

Helicobacter mustelae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Chronic Helicobacter infection in ferrets can use to development of what tumours?

A

Gastric adenocarcarcinoma

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How is Helicobacter mustelae in ferrets diagnosed?

A

Silver staining to visualise organism
Serological assay
PCR on gastric swabs PLUS gastric biopsise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How is Helicobacter mustelae treated in ferrets?

A

Ranitidine/omeprazole

Antibiotics - metronidazole, amoxicillin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What type of pathogen causes Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (green slime disease) in ferrets?

A

Coronavirus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the symptoms of epizootic catarrhal enteritis in ferrets?

A

Green, mucoid D+
V+
Weight loss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Is Epizootic catarrhal enteritis more severe in younger or older ferrets?

A

Older ferrets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How is epizootic catarrhal enteritis treated in ferrets?

A

Supportive care
Broad spectrum antibiotics
GI protectants
Quarantine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Ferret systemic coronavirus resembles what virus in cats?

A

FIP

Dry form

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How is ferret systemic coronavirus diagnosed?

A

Bloods - hypergammaglobuniaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Does ferret systemic coronavirus tend to affect older or younger ferrets?

A

Young ferrets

Survival for 2 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What bacteria causes proliferative colitis in ferrets?

A

Lawsonia intracellularis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is salivary mucocele?

A

Abnormal collection of saliva leaked from damaged salivary glands/ducts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Which glands in ferrets produce their typical ‘musky’ smell? Do males or females have a stronger smell?

A

Sebaceous glands

Males

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

When do ferrets usually moult?

A

Spring/Summer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What type of ovulators are ferrets?

A

Induced ovulator

26
Q

Why is it an issue if jills are unmated?

A

Oestrogen toxicity

Unmated = remain in oestrus, 50% develop aplastic anaemia

27
Q

What are the clinical signs of oestrogen toxicity in ferrets?

A 
Swollen vulva
Pale mms (aplastic anaemia)
28
Q

How can oestrogen toxicity be prevented in ferrets?

A

Use of a castrated male

Neutering of female

29
Q

How can oestrogen toxicity be treated in ferrets?

A

Proligestone injection or hCG

Blood transfusion

30
Q

Is adrenal gland disease the same as Cushing’s in ferrets?

31
Q

At what age do ferrets usually present with adrenal gland disease?

A

3.4 yrs post neutering

32
Q

Which area/zone of the adrenal gland is affected by adrenal gland disease in ferrets?

A

Zona reticularis

Elevated androgen hormones, hyperandrogegism

33
Q

What can cause adrenal gland disease in ferrets?

A

Genetics
Indoor housing/photoperiod
Neutering!

34
Q

What are the clinical signs of adrenal disease in ferrets?

A 
Androgen stimulation 
Bilateral symmetrical alopecia
Pruritis
Behaviour change/aggression
Vulval swelling
Gynaceomastia (males develop breast tissue)
Prostateomegaly causes dysuria
35
Q

How can adrenal gland disease in ferrets be diagnosed?

A

History/clinical signs
Serum adrenal panel
Abdo ultrasound and palpation if enlarged
Treatment trial

36
Q

How is adrenal gland disease in ferrets treated?

A

Surgery - find cause (e.g. ovarian remnant), L adrenalectomy
GnRH analogue - Deslorelin implant
Melatonin

37
Q

When treating adrenal disease in ferrets, why is only the left adrenal gland removed?

A

Right adrenal gland is attached to caudal VC

Debulk instead of removal

38
Q

Are GnRH analogues (e.g. deslorelin implants) better in early or later stages of ferret adrenal disease?

A

Early stage

Less effective if advanced/neoplastic

39
Q

What tumour is associated with ferret adrenal gland disease?

A

Insulinoma

Measure glucose

40
Q

How can adrenal gland disease in ferrets be prevented?

A

Keep ferrets outdoors

Alternatives to neutering - deslorelin, progesterone, vasectomised mating

41
Q

How often does the deslorelin implant last in ferrets? When should it be placed?

A

1-2 years females, 4 years males

Place in Spring

42
Q

Is the deslorelin implant licensed in ferrets?

A

Only males

43
Q

Entire male ferrets can be difficult to handle due to very strong musky odour. What are the treatment options?

A

Castration
Deslorelin implant
Neuter and implant at same time if adrenal disease

44
Q

What tumour is relatively common in ferrets

A

Insulinoma

45
Q

Are insulinomas more common in males than females? What age?

A

Males

4-6 yrs

46
Q

What are the clinical signs of insulinoma?

A 
HL weakness/ataxia
Stargazing
Dull 
Seizures
Collapse
Salivation/pawing at mouth (nausea)
May resolve following meal
47
Q

What surgical treatment can be used for insulinomas in ferrets?

A

Partial pancreatectomy or nodulectomy

48
Q

What medical treatment can be given for insulinomas in ferrets?

A

Prednisolone - for gluconeogensis

Diazoxide - to inhibit insulin release

49
Q

Other than medical/surgical treatment, how can you manage an insulinoma in ferrets?

A

Emergency stabilisation with glucose

Diet high in fat and protein - no simple sugars

50
Q

Is dilated cardiomyopathy related to taurine deficiency in ferrets?

51
Q

What is the most common echocardiographic finding in ferrets?

A

Degenerative heart disease

52
Q

Degenerative heart disease is the most common echocardiographic finding in ferrets. What would you expect to see?

A

Thickening and regurgitation of valves

esp aortic

53
Q

What virus causes influenza in ferrets?

A

Orthomyxovirus

54
Q

Is influenza in ferrets zoonotic?

A

Yes - also anthroponotic

Ferrets can catch human flu virus A and B

55
Q

Which disease that is vaccinated against in dogs can be caught by ferrets?

56
Q

What are the clinical signs of distemper in ferrets?

A 
Photosensitivity
Anorexia
Pyrexia
Serous-mucopurulent nasal discharge Ataxia/tremors/paralysis
Hyperkeratosis of foot pds
Erythema
Death can occur in 12 hrs
57
Q

Can canine distemper be treated in ferrets?

A

No - 100% mortality

Prevent with vaccination

58
Q

Aleutian disease virus in ferrets is what type of virus? What is thought to be the reservoir?

A

Parvovirus

Wild mink reservoir

59
Q

What age of ferrets does Aleutian disease affect? What are the clinical signs?

A

2-4 yrs old
Multiple organ failure
Hypergammaglobulinaemia

60
Q

What is the treatment for Aleutian disease virus in ferrets?

A

Anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants

Melatonin - immune modulation and antioxidant

Exotics (SA) (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions