Lecture 23

Question 1

What are the characteristics of domesticated ferrets in the US?

Answer 1

-almost exclusively come from a single breeding facility
-spayed/neutered and descented at a young age at breeding facility
-proof of surgeries in form of tattoos in right ear
-about 8 million pet ferrets in US

Question 2

What are the characteristics of ferret life span?

Answer 2

-can live up to 14 years
-typically live 5 to 8 years in US
-shorter life span thought to be due to early neutering and/or inbreeding

Question 3

What are the characteristics of appropriate ferret housing?

Answer 3

-very inquisitive; will chew and get into small spaces
-provide hammock(s)
-drink from water bottle
-can and will use litter box

Question 4

What are the characteristics of ferret diet?

Answer 4

-ideal to use a ferret food
-possible to feed a high quality kitten food
-have higher fat and protein needs than cats

Question 5

Why should vegetable protein-based feeds be avoided in ferrets?

Answer 5

-dog food with plant proteins can induce struvite stones by increasing urine pH
-cat food with pea protein can induce cystine stones

Question 6

Which vaccines are used in ferrets?

Answer 6

*canine distemper vaccine
-use the purevax ferret vx, a live canarypox vx
-do not use dog vaccine; modified live that can induce distemper infection

*rabies
-IMRAB 3 or pure-vax rabies
-licensed for ferrets; same rules for dogs in case of bites

Question 7

What are the characteristics of adverse vaccine reactions in ferrets?

Answer 7

-can pretreat with Benadryl
-signs include vomiting, pawing at mouth, hyperemia, dyspnea, and death
-treat with epinephrine, O2, dexamethasone, and benadryl

Question 8

What are the characteristics of parasite control in ferrets?

Answer 8

-can use ivermectin monthly to prevent heartworms
-flea control with products that are safe for kittens

Question 9

What are the characteristics of ferret physical exam?

Answer 9

-restrain via scruff and hanging
-can distract with ferretone
-temp. around 100 to 102
-HR around 200
-heart more caudal than expected
-spleen is normally large
-check teeth and lymph nodes

Question 10

What are the characteristics of ferret venipuncture?

Answer 10

*jugular:
-use 22g needle

*cranial vena cava
-ferret on back or hanging
-feel manubrium; insert needle in notch between manubrium and first rib
-aim at opposite back leg
-do not redirect once needle is inserted
-cannot hold off

Question 11

Which diseases can commonly afflict ferrets?

Answer 11

*non-infectious:
-neoplasia
-GI foreign body
-bladder/urethral stones

*infectious:
-SARS-CoV-2
-influenza
-canine distemper
-coronavirus
-clostridia
-helicobacter

Question 12

What is the PCV in a normal ferret?

Answer 12

around 45%

Question 13

What are the characteristics of neoplasia in ferrets?

Answer 13

-ferret trifecta is adrenal tumor, insulinoma, and lymphoma
-can also see splenomegaly with EMH cause
-usually have at least one type by 3 years old

Question 14

What are the characteristics of adrenal neoplasia?

Answer 14

-very common
-nearly 50% incidence
-NOT cushing’s disease; affects zona reticularis and sex steroids

Question 15

What are the signs of adrenal neoplasia?

Answer 15

-bilateral, symmetrical alopecia
-prostatomegaly or vulvar enlargement
-muscle atrophy
-pruritus
-increased aggression
-possible stranguria

Question 16

How is adrenal neoplasia diagnosed?

Answer 16

*clinical signs
*ultrasound
*hormone panel
-estradiol
-17-OH progesterone
-androstenedione

Question 17

What is the treatment for adrenal neoplasia?

Answer 17

*surgery
-less common now
-left gland is easy, right gland more difficult due to location next to vena cava

*GnRH agonist
-deslorelin implant or monthly lupron injection
-causes overdrive of GnRH that leads to negative feedback
-can see prostatomegaly and stranguria

*melatonin
-great for hair regrowth
-said to inhibit GnRH production

Question 18

What are the characteristics of insulinoma?

Answer 18

-pancreatic beta cell tumor
-seen in 40% of ferrets over 3 years old
-causes lethargy, seizures, and hypersalivation
-glucose < 65 after 4 hours fast

Question 19

Why is surgery not performed in cases of insulinoma?

Answer 19

-usually multiple, small tumors
-shown not to increase survival time

Question 20

What aer the treatment options for insulinoma?

Answer 20

-prednisone
-diazoxide
-high protein, low sugar diet

Question 21

What are the characteristics of lymphoma in ferrets?

Answer 21

*young animals less than 1 year:
-sudden death
-cranial mediastinal mass

*older animals greater than 3 years:
-lymphocytosis and splenomegaly
-chemo has high success rate
-prednisone is cheap and can provide palliative results; not efficacious for prolonging life

Question 22

What are the characteristics of GI foreign body in ferrets?

Answer 22

-common, especially if younger
-present with bruxism, vomiting, and depression
-diagnosed via palpation and imaging
-treatment is usually surgical

Question 23

What are the characteristics of urinary blockage in ferrets?

Answer 23

-can occur due to stones; form with inappropriate diet
-can see blockage from prostatomegaly
-radiographs and ultrasound used to determine cause
-males have a J shaped os penis; helpful in catheterization

Question 24

What are the characteristics of infectious respiratory diseases in ferrets?

Answer 24

*SARS-CoV-2
-resp. signs primarily
-testing needs prior approval from state vet

*influenza
-similar to human infections

*canine distemper
-100% fatal
-same clinical picture as dogs

Question 25

What are the characteristics of infectious GI diseases in ferrets?

Answer 25

*coronavirus -green, mucoid slime -treat with fluid therapy, Imodium, and antibiotics for secondary infections *clostridia -septic tank smell -greater than 3 clostridium per 100x field -treat with clindamycin *Helicobacter mustelae -causes anorexia, vomiting, and melena -precipitated by stress -biopsy pyloric mucosa to confirm -treat with amoxicillin, metronidazole, and omeprazole (triple therapy)