Special Species > Ferrets > Flashcards

Ferrets Flashcards

(46 cards)

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1
Q

What is the average lifespan of a pet ferret?

A

7-8 years

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2
Q

When are ferrets active/what is this called?

A

Crepuscular

Active at twilight

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3
Q

What are the unique skeletal features of the ferret?

A
  • Long and narrow
  • Flexible conformation
  • Flat skull
  • Compliant ribcage
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4
Q

What are the unique senses features of the ferret?

A
  • Near-sighted

- Keen sense of smell

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5
Q

What is Waardenburg Syndrome?

A

color-linked congenital deafness in white-faced ferrets

- Blaze and Panda

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6
Q

What are the unique features of the respiratory system in the ferret?

A
  • Large lung capacity

- Large diameter airways

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7
Q

What is the average heart rate of a ferret?

A

180-230 bpm

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8
Q

What is the number 1 ECG problem found in ferrets?

A

AV block

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9
Q

Which heart condition is common and normal in the ferret?

A

sinus arrhythmia

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10
Q

Describe the appropriate diet for a ferret

A
  • Strict carnivore
  • High protein
  • High fat
  • Low fiber
  • Avoid grain-free
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11
Q

Describe the unique features of the ferret GI tract

A
  • short GI transit
  • no cecum
  • simple gut flora
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12
Q

What are the restraint techniques used with the ferret?

A
  • scruff
  • nutrical: high sugar paste
  • chemical: iso, sevo, injectables
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13
Q

What drugs are used as injectable/chemical restraints in the ferret?

A
  • Torbugesic
  • Midazolam
  • Dexdormitor
  • Alfaxalone
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14
Q

Which vaccines are needed in a ferret?

A

Canine Distemper

Rabies

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15
Q

What are the symptoms/signs of CDV in a ferret?

A
  • orange tint to skin
  • crusting on mucocutaneous junctions
  • hard pads
  • neurological signs
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16
Q

Which sites can be used for venipuncture in the ferret?

A
  • cephalic vein
  • lateral saphenous
  • cranial vena cava
  • jugular
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17
Q

How is a cranial vena cava venipuncture performed?

A
  • blind stick along manubrum of sternum

- rigid restraint needed

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18
Q

Urinary tract obstruction in ferrets

A
  • common emergency
  • males
  • urolithisais
  • prostatomegaly
  • difficult to pass catheter
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19
Q

Which pathways can fluid be administered in the ferret?

Study These Flashcards
A

SC, IV, IO, IP

20
Q

What are the indications for an IV catheter in the ferret?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Vomiting
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Moderate azotemia
  • Blood transfusions
  • Chemotherapy
  • Long surgical procedures
21
Q

What are the indications for a splenic aspiration in the ferret?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • splenomegaly
  • irregular spleen
  • abnormal US
  • anemia of unknown etiology
  • lymphosarcoma
22
Q

Where does H. mustelae colonize in the ferret?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • pylorus and duodenum

- mainly greater antrum of stomach

23
Q

What are the clinical signs of H. mustelae infection?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • melena
  • bruxism and ptyalism
  • anorexia or inappetance
  • vomiting uncommon
  • chronic weight loss
24
Q

How is H. mustelae infection diagnosed?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • gastric/duodenal mucosal biopsy
  • silver stains
  • PCR swab of mucosa
  • clinical signs
25
How is H. mustelae infection treated?
- triple therapy - amoxicillin + metronidazole - bismuth subsalicyclate - sucralfate - clarithromycin
26
What are the clinical signs of a gastric foreign body in the ferret?
- anorexia and weight loss - diarrhea, melena - acutely weak - vomiting not common
27
How are gastric foreign bodies treated?
- supportive care - fluids, lubricants, antibiotics - surgery if needed
28
What are possible causes of diarrhea in ferrets?
- dietary indiscretion - foreign body - coronavirus - IBS - intestinal lymphoma
29
What is another name for viral diarrhea in ferrets?
Epizootic catarrhal enteritis
30
Describe the features of Epizootic catarrhal enteritis
- green slime diarrhea - transmissible - young ferrets as carriers - diarrhea and anorexia
31
What is the cause of Epizootic catarrhal enteritis?
coronavirus
32
How is Epizootic catarrhal enteritis treated?
supportive care
33
Which disease shows "bird seed" tan diarrhea?
inflammatory bowel disease | - chronic malabsorption syndrome
34
What is being over-produced in hyperadrenalcorticism in ferrets?
sex steroids | - androgens, estrogens, and progesterones
35
What are the clinical signs of hyperadrenalcorticism in ferrets?
- hair loss - pruritis - swollen vulva - prostatomegaly - strong smell - sexual behavior
36
How is hyperadrenalcorticism treated?
- Leuprolide monthly injections - adrenalectomy - usually both
37
What is a result from chronic estrogen production?
bone marrow suppression
38
What is Lupron, and what does it do?
- Leuprolide - GnRH agonist - stimulates LH/FSH - negative feedback stops steroidogenesis
39
What is an insulinoma, and what is the primary effect?
- pancreatic beta cell carcinoma | - over-produces insulin resulting in hypoglycemia
40
What are the clinical signs of insulinoma in ferrets?
- episodic weakness - coma and seizure - drooling, inappetance - difficult to arouse - weak in rear end
41
How is an insulinoma diagnosed?
- fast blood glucose levels < 60 - surgical biopsy - response to treatment
42
What is the treatment for insulinoma?
- prednisone (gluconeogenic) - diazoxide (blocks insulin) - low carb diet - surgery: nodulectomy or partial pancreatectomy
43
What are the features of mast cell tumors in ferrets
- very common in skin only - benign, do not metastasize - can be itchy and bloody - surgical removal - good prognosis
44
What are the features of lymphosarcomas in ferrets?
- common - multicentric - lymphadenopathy
45
How is lymphosacroma treated?
- surgical debulking - chemotherapy - prednisone
46
Which cardiovascular disease is more common in ferrets?
dilated cardiomyopathy
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