Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

NSF > Ferrets - Small Furries 2 > Flashcards

Ferrets - Small Furries 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the ferret a domesticated form of?

A

European Polecat

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

What is the latin name for ferrets?

A

Mustela putorius furo

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

Are ferrets more closely related to cats or dogs?

A

Dogs however they share some features with both

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

Why do people have ferrets?

A

Pets
Pest control/sport
Racing
Laboratory use

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

What is a female ferret called?

A

Jill

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

What is a neutered female ferret called?

A

Sprite

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

What is a male ferret called?

A

Hob

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

What is a neutered male ferret called?

A

Gib

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

What is a vasectomised male ferret called?

A

Hoblet

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

What is a baby ferret called?

A

Kitten or pup

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

What is the lifespan of a ferret?

A

6-9 years

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

What is the weight of a ferret?

A

0.6 - 2kg (females very small compared to males)

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

What is the length of a ferret?

A

30 - 60 cms

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

Describe ferret fur.

A

Fine dense undercoat with second layer of course guard hairs

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

What prevents vets being able to inject ferrets in their scruff?

A

Thick skin and hair over back of neck

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

Why is there thick skin over the back of ferrets necks?

A

Prevents against injury during fighting and mating

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

Do ferrets have sweat glands? If so, where?

A

They do not have sweat glands

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

Why is heat stroke common in ferrets?

A

They don’t have sweat glands

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

What gives ferrets their distinct odour?

A

Sebaceous glands are found all over the body

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

Where are sebaceous glands found at a higher density in ferrets?

A

Around the mouth and anus

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

When are sebaceous gland secretions increased in ferrets?

A

During breeding season, the coat becomes oily and yellow

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

Describe the anal glands of ferrets.

A

Well developed
Found just inside the anus

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

What do anal glands of ferrets produce?

A

Serous yellow liquid with powerful odour

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

What is an anal sacculectomy?

A

Removal of anal glands
(considered a mutilation in UK)

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

What stance do ferrets take?

A

Plantar stance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What property of the skeletal system makes ferrets efficient hunters and allows them to escape easily?

A

A long and flexible spine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the vertebral formula of the ferret?

A

C7 T15 L5 S3 Cd18

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

How many toes are found on each foot of a ferret?

A

5 toes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Describe the claws of ferrets.

A

Non retractable claws
Need to clip claws of house pets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is shape of a ferret skull?

A

Typical carnivore skull shape
Zygomatic bones unclosed (‘open’ orbit)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

How does a ferrets jaw structure allow for just slicing and shearing?

A

Little to no lateral movement
No chewing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What kind of vision do ferrets have?

A

Binocular vision
Eyes are placed laterally giving goof peripheral vision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

How are ferrets eyes adapted for nocturnal behaviour?

A

Large domed cornea, spherical lens & tapetum lucidum
Sees well in dim light and sees movement rather than pictures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Describe the pupils of ferrets.

A

Pupil slit is horizontal rather than vertical like seen in a cat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Is the nictitating membrane developed?

A

Yes, it is well developed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What happens if ferrets are not exposed to daylight?

A

It affects hormone production
Photoperiod is very important

37
Q

What affects the seasonal reproductive cycle of ferrets?

A

Pineal gland and melatonin

38
Q

What is the dental formula of an adult ferret?

A

I 3/3 , C 1/1 , P 3/3 , M 1/2
Total = 34

39
Q

Describe the teeth of ferrets.

A

All rooted (upper 3rd premolar has three roots)
Long curved canines

40
Q

At what age do permanent teeth erupt?

A

50-74 days

41
Q

At what age do kittens’ teeth erupt?

A

3-4 weeks of age

42
Q

What is saliva used for in ferrets?

A

Lubrication
Not digestion as there is no amylase activity in parotid or submandibular saliva

43
Q

Name the 5 paired glands found in ferrets.

A

Submandibular
Parotid
Sublingual
Molar
Zygomatic

44
Q

What can cause damage to the salivary glands in ferrets?

A

Fighting
Trauma to ducts
Dental disease

45
Q

What is a sialocele?

A

A subcutaneous cavity containing saliva (usually post-trauma or infection)

46
Q

What is the capacity of the stomach of a ferret?

A

The stomach is capable of enormous distension and allows gorging
Can hold 50ml/kg or more

47
Q

Ferrets have no true gastro-oesophageal sphincter. What does this allow them to do that rodents cannot?

A

Vomit

48
Q

What property of ferrets’ gastrointestinal system has an affect on pre-op preparation and what is the affect?

A

Rapid intestinal transit time (3-4 hours)
Don’t need to starve pre-op for longer than a few hours
If starved too long hypoglycaemia can occur

49
Q

Describe the diet of ferrets.

A

Obligate carnivores
35-40% protein
20% fat
< 25% carbohydrate
Ca:Phos 1:1

50
Q

Is the ferret oesophagus more like the dog or cat oesophagus and why?

A

Dog
Striated muscle is found throughout the length

51
Q

What is another reason why you shouldn’t starve ferrets for too long relating to the gastrointestinal tract?

A

There is a spontaneous secretion of hydrochloric acid even when not fed

52
Q

Describe the intestines of ferrets.

A

Small intestine is short
Duodenum, jejunoileum
Ends at ascending colon (no caecum, no distinct junction)
Large intestine is approx 10cm long
Ascending, transverse, descending colon

53
Q

What features of the GI tract are missing in ferrets?

A

Caecum
Appendix
Ileocolic junction

54
Q

Why is it difficult to tube feed a ferret through a nasogastric tube?

A

They have very small nostrils
Oesophagostomy tube better

55
Q

Do ferrets breathe through their nasal or oral cavity?

A

They are not obligate nasal breathers, but do prefer this route

56
Q

What is the respiratory rate of a ferret?

A

30-40 bpm

57
Q

How many lobes in each lung of a ferret and what are they called?

A

Left lung = cranial, caudal
Right lung = cranial, middle, accessory, caudal

58
Q

Why can an abnormality in the thoracic cavity cause severe respiratory compromise?

A

They have a long a narrow thoracic inlet which has multiple structures passing through it - the oesophagus, trachea and blood vessels (including subclavian).

59
Q

What is the resting heart rate of ferrets?

A

180-250 bpm

60
Q

Where can the heart be found in ferrets?

A

More caudally than in a dog or cat
6th - 8th rib

61
Q

How do you assess cardiovascular performance in ferrets?

A

Check pulse pressure - not reliably palpable
Urine output - used as indirect measurement of cardiac output

62
Q

If a ferret’s urine output drops below 1ml/kg/hr with no previous diagnosis of renal disease, what does this indicate?

A

Low cardiac output

63
Q

What percentage of body weight is ferrets’ blood volume?

A

5-7%

64
Q

Why do you need to be aware of how much blood you take when blood sampling a ferret?

A

They are often anaemic
If serial blood samples being done ensure no more than 15% of total blood volume is extracted over 28 days.

65
Q

Can you give ferrets blood transfusions?

A

Yes - no cross matching required

66
Q

Where do you take blood samples from in ferrets?

A

Cephalic and jugular
Tail artery may be used in lab animals (harder)

67
Q

What are the similarities and differences between the urinary system of ferrets and cats/dogs?

A

Similar anatomy
Different serum chemistry

68
Q

Describe creatinine and urea levels in a ferret with kidney disease and how this is different to cats/dogs?

A

Ferrets - as urea rises, creatinine often excreted through other routes so doesn’t end up in the blood (looks normal)
Cats/dogs - creatinine and urea rise in parallel

69
Q

Why can catheterisation be difficult in male ferrets?

A

They have a j shaped os penis

70
Q

What issues occur in ferrets’ urinary system?

A

Urethral blockage
Due to prostate enlargement associated with adrenal diagnosis
Urolithiasis (stones in urinary tract) (less common)

71
Q

At what age do ferrets reach puberty?

A

6-9 months

72
Q

Describe the female oestrus cycle of ferrets.

A

Seasonal breeders - monoestrus
Reflex ovulators

73
Q

What is the gestation period of ferrets?

A

42 days

74
Q

Are ferret young born altricial or precocial?

A

Altricial - need extra parental care

75
Q

How do you sex a ferret?

A

A male is much larger than a female
The testes and penis are obvious (preputial opening is more cranial than expected)
The vulva is under the tail cranial to the anus

76
Q

Describe the female ferret reproductive anatomy.

A

Bicornuate Y-shaped uterus
Similar to the bitch

77
Q

Describe the male ferret reproductive anatomy.

A

J shaped os-penis
Testes small relative to body size
Similar to the dog

78
Q

What foes the failure of a jill to mate result in?

A

Prolonged production/secretion of oestrogen
Bone marrow suppression and subsequent anaemia
Death

79
Q

Why don’t all female ferrets get spayed?

A

Decreases negative feedback, increases GnRH, overstimulated, adrenal disease

80
Q

How can female ferrets be kept if they are not mated?

A

They can be sham mated by a vasectomised hob, or given chemical oestrus suppression drugs

81
Q

Why is it difficult to perform surgery on the adrenal glands of ferrets?

A

They lie near each kidney embedded in fat & covers by peritoneum
Both lie ventral to ipsilateral adrenolumbar artery

82
Q

What blood vessel supplies the adrenal glands?

A

Ipsilateral renal artery

83
Q

What is the difference between adrenal disease in ferrets and dogs?

A

Ferrets - not associated with the pituitary gland
Dogs - is associated with the pituitary gland

84
Q

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

A

Alopecia

85
Q

What other clinical signs may you see in ferrets with adrenal disease?

A

Behavioural changes - aggression
Swollen vulva
Difficulty urinating (males)
Muscle loss

86
Q

What are the main risk factors associated with adrenal disease in ferrets?

A

Neutering in both males and females (especially early neutering)
Abnormal photoperiod (animals housed indoors subject to abnormally long periods of daylight)

87
Q

What does adrenal disease occur as a result of?

A

Over-production of sex hormones by the adrenal glands (from zone reticularis)
Estradiol
Androsterone and testosterone
17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone

88
Q

What hormone is not overproduced in ferrets with adrenal disease but is in dogs?

A

Corticosteroids

NSF (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions