Exotics ferrets

Question 1

Where does ferret scent come from

Answer 1

Sebaceous glands

Question 2

Canine distemper in ferrets

Answer 2

= almost always fatal; pyrexia, oculo-nasal discharge, chin rash, collapse

If they survive acute disease see hyperkeratosis = hard bad

Question 3

Protecting ferrets from canine distemper vaccine

Answer 3

Use dog vaccine at 0.5-1X dose; UNLICENSED
boost yearly

Question 4

What human virus can ferrets catch and transmit

Answer 4

Influenza

Question 5

What parvovirus disease causing melaena and posterior paresis is seen in ferrets

Answer 5

Aleutian disease

Question 6

What farming practice increased prevalence of Aleutian disease

Answer 6

Mink farming

Question 7

What bacterial infection causes mucosal ulceration in young ferrets

Answer 7

Helicobacter mustelae

Question 8

What flea species affects ferrets

Answer 8

Ctenophlides felis

Question 9

What mite species affect ferrets

Answer 9

Sarcoptes scabei var canis; skin

Otodected cynotis = ears

Question 10

Endoparasites affecting ferrets

Answer 10

Toxocara cati and leonine
Dipylidium caninum
Taenia
Echinococcus multilocularis (not in UK)
Dirofilaria immitis (not in UK)

Question 11

What treatments for endoparasites are licensed in perrets

Answer 11

Spot ons: ivermectin, small cat advocat
(NOT oral forms e.g paracur)

Question 12

Side effects of prolonged oestrogen exposure (in non-ovulated jills)

Answer 12

Anaemia and immunosuppression

Question 13

What hormonal condition do we see in neutered animals

Answer 13

Hyperadrenocorticism- esp in females

Question 14

Signs of hyperadrenocorticism

Answer 14

Bilaterally symmetrical alopecia
Pruritis
vulval swelling

+ lab diagnosis: elevation of androstenedione, oestradiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone

Question 15

How can we treat hyperadrenocorticism

Answer 15

Ideal = surgery
Can do medical management using suprelorin implant

Question 16

What would a change in behaviour from an active to dozy, ataxic ferret point towards

Answer 16

Insulinoma

Question 17

What glucometer reading would we expect with insulinoma

Answer 17

<3mmol/l consistently

Question 18

What is notable about the spleen in ferrets

Answer 18

Can be very large and still be normal

Question 19

Most common tumours in ferrets

Answer 19

Adrenal, insulinoma, lymphoma

Question 20

What lymphocyte count in ferrets is suggestive of lymphoma

Answer 20

> 3.5 x 10^9/L

Question 21

What is the most common type of skin tumours in ferrets

Answer 21

MAst cell
- Be aware of histamine release on removal causing wound breakdown

Question 22

WHere can we fit an IV catheter in ferrets

Answer 22

cephalic vein

Question 23

What heart condition may be seen in old ferrets

Answer 23

Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Would treat with ACE inhibitors or pimobenden

Question 24

What is different about ferret testes

Answer 24

They are intra-abdominal during winter