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Exotics & Lab Animal Medicine > Ferret Medicine, Pt. 2 > Flashcards

Ferret Medicine, Pt. 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

In what ferrets is canine distemper most commonly seen? How is it transmitted?

A

young kits from pet stores in the US

aerosol

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2
Q

What are 6 clinical signs associated with distemper in ferrets?

A
  1. nasal and ocular d/c
  2. photophobia
  3. rash that starts on the chin and spreads to the foot pads, inguinal area, and rectal region
  4. fever
  5. anorexia
  6. bronchopneumonia
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3
Q

What are 3 signs of later stages of distemper infection in ferrets?

A
  1. hyperkeratosis of nasal planum and footpads
  2. CNS signs
  3. death
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4
Q

What is the gold standard of diagnosing canine distemper in ferrets? What are 3 other options?

A

rt-PCR of oropharyngeal wash

  1. CBC - severe lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, moncytopenia, mild non-regenerative anemia
  2. cytology/histology - eosinophilic IC and IN inclusion bodies in epithelial and mononuclear cells (immunocytology to isolate virus)
  3. serology - false positive common due to vaccines
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5
Q

What are 2 signs of distemper on histopathology?

A
  1. suppurative bronchopneumonia in young ferrets
  2. non-suppurative encephalitis with demyelination in ferrets with neurologic signs
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6
Q

What treatment is available for distemper in ferrets? How is it prevented?

A

none –> poor prognosis

vaccination

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7
Q

What causes ferret influenza? How is it transmitted?

A

Orthomyxovirus

aerosol - zoonotic between humans and ferrets!

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8
Q

What 6 clinical signs are associated with influenza in ferrets? How is it diagnosed?

A
  1. watery ocular and nasal d/c
  2. sneezing
  3. non-productive cough
  4. diarrhea
  5. anorexia
  6. fever, lethargy

history of flu in the household + transient leukopenia

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9
Q

How is influenza in ferrets treated? What is prognosis like?

A

supportive care + pediatric cough suppressants/diphenhydramine

good - self-limiting in 7-21 days

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10
Q

What causes Aleutian disease in ferrets? What does it lead to? How is it transmitted?

A

ferret-derived strain of carnivore amdoparvovirus - multisystemic, lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and hypergammaglobulinemia, most common in ferrets >3 y/o

direct contact with infected animals or fomites - asymptomatic carriers intermittently shed

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11
Q

What clinical signs are associated with Aleutian disease?

A

depends on organ affected and degree of inflammation

  • lethargy, anorexia
  • diarrhea, melena
  • chronic wasting
  • neurologic signs
  • sudden death
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12
Q

What is the best diagnostic for Aleutian disease? What are 3 other options?

A

protein electrophoresis - hypergammaglobulinemia

  1. chem - hyperglobulinemia and compensatory hypoalbuminemia
  2. immunofluorescence antibody and ELISA
  3. PCR
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13
Q

What postmortem finding is seen in cases of Aleutian disease? What treatment is recommended?

A

lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of various organs

  • supportive care
  • immunosuppressive drugs
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14
Q

What are insulinomas? In what ferrets are they most common?

A

tumor of pancreatic islet beta cells resulting in hypoglycemic episodes and neurologic symptoms

middle aged (3-8 y/o)

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15
Q

What are the 3 major sets of clinical signs associated with insulinomas?

A
  1. HYPOGLYCEMIA - ataxia, dragging hindlimbs, lethargy, weakness, seizures
  2. NAUSEA - pawing at mouth, vomiting, ptyalism
  3. STRESS - melena, oral ulcers
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16
Q

What are 3 options for diagnosing insulinomas in ferrets?

A
  1. blood glucose - NO GLUCOMETER, <60 mg/dL is presumptive, fast and repeat
  2. serum insulin - >43.4 mU/L
  3. U/S - multifocal, variably sized anechoic/hypoechoic nodules within pancreatic parenchyma
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17
Q

What are 3 options for treating insulinomas?

A
  1. dietary modification - high protein, low carb diet available at all times
  2. medical management - Prednisone/Prednisolone, Diazoxide (increases intracellular K, decreases intracellular release of iCa) –> ferrets commonly become refractive
  3. surgical management - not curative, prolongs survival, partial pancreatectomy +/- nodulectomy
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18
Q

What are signs of hypoglycemic episodes in ferrets with insulinomas? How are they treated at home? In hospital?

A
  • non-responsiveness, difficult to wake up
  • ptyalism
  • glassy eyes
  • seizures

syrup, honey, sugar solutions

IV 50% dextrose slowly or CRI 5% dextrose + steroids + multiple small meals

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19
Q

What ferrets are most commonly affected by adrenal disease? What comorbidities are associated?

A

middle-aged ferrets –> excessive production of sex hormones

  • neoplasia - lymphoma
  • prostatomegaly
  • liver disease
  • cardiac disease
  • splenomegaly
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20
Q

What is considered a major predisposing factor to adrenal gland development in ferrets? 2 others?

A

pre-pubertal gonadectomy

  1. unnatural light cycles
  2. lack of genetic diversity
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21
Q

What is the pathophysiology associated with adrenal disease in ferrets?

A

spaying/neutering causes a loss of negative feedback to stop production of GnRH, LH, and FSH –> increased sex hormones from adrenal glands

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22
Q

What are 4 signs of adrenal gland disease in ferrets? What is a rare finding?

A
  1. progressive alopecia of trunk and tail
  2. pruritus
  3. enlarged vulva
  4. enlarged prostate - can cause urinary obstruction, which is an emergency

bone marrow suppression from estrogen toxicity

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23
Q

What 3 diagnostics are used for adrenal disease in ferrets?

A
  1. hormone assay - estradiol, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone
  2. U/S - size and architecture of adrenal glands
  3. histopathology = definitive diagnoses
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24
Q

What 4 treatments are recommended for adrenal gland disease in ferrets?

A
  1. GnRH agonists –> Deslorelin, Lupron
  2. melatonin
  3. androgen antagonists (Flutamide, Bicalutamide) + reductase inhibitor (Finasteride) to reduce prostatomegaly
  4. Anastrozole - treats estrogen-induced BM suppression

ONLY ALLEVIATES CLINICAL SIGN - not curative, extends life, cosmesis

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25
What is considered curative treatment of adrenal disease in ferrets? What are some considerations?
adrenalectomy - unilateral vs. bilateral - right vs. left - L most common, R is close to caudal vena cava - debulking vs. partial - male ferrets with dysuria also require treatment for construction
26
How are patients with adrenal disease monitored during physical exams? What is important to note about prognosis?
clincial signs + repeat hormone panels or U/S histologic grade of tumor does not affect survival --> recurrence common with surgical and medical therpy
27
What is the most common malignant neoplasia in ferrets? What are some possible causes?
lymphoma unknown - retrovirus, chronic inflammation
28
What are the 4 classifications of lymphoma in ferrets?
1. LYMPHOCYTIC - adults, mature lymphocytes, peripheral/visceral LNs affected 2. LYMPHOBLASTIC - young, lymphoblasts, affects liver, spleen, and thymus 3. LSA - solid tumor, organs or LNs affected 4. LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA
29
What is the difference between acute and chronic forms of lymphocytic leukemia in ferrets?
ACUTE = lymphoblasts in peripherla blood or BM causes WBC to increase CHRONIC = mature lymphocytes in peripheral blood, WBC normal
30
What is the most common clinical sign associated with lymphoma in ferrets? What are some other signs?
enlarged lymph nodes - weight loss, anorexia, lethargy - melena - respiratory disease - juvenile form
31
What offers a definitive diagnosis for lymphoma in ferrets? What are some other options?
histology - CBC/chem - cytology - blood smear, FNA of affected organ/LN - radiographs/ultrasound
32
Lymphoma, radiograph:
enlarged mesenteric LNs
33
What are the 5 stages of lymphoma in ferrets?
1. limited to a single node of lymphoid tissue of a single organ 2. multiple LNs affected in a regional area 3. generalized LN involvement 4. liver and/or spleen involvement 5. BM involvement with circulating neoplastic cells
34
What should be considered with treating lymphoma? What are some options?
stage of disease, concurrent disease, QoL - surgery - focal disease - radiation - focal disease when surgery is not possible - chemotherapy - modified COP or Tufts No-IV Protocol - palliative care - Prednisone, Prednosolone
35
What monitoring is recommended when treating lymphoma in ferrets?
CBC if pursuing chemotherapy
36
What are 2 other types of neoplasia seen in ferrets?
1. MCT - cutaneous, smooth hairless nodules +/- black crust on head, neck, shoulders, and trunk --> usually benign with a good prognosis 2. chordoma - tumor of spinal cord with low grade malignancy and high invasion, most common adt the distal tail tip --> amputate
37
MCT, ferret:
cutaneous nodule with black crust
38
Chordoma, ferret:
common on distal tail tip
39
What are 2 common cardiovascular diseases seen in ferrets?
1. CHF - poor prognosis 2. DCM > HCM - genetics, taurine
40
What are signs of heartworm disease in ferrets? How is it diagnosed?
- sneezing - anorexia - lethargy - dyspnea echocardiogram
41
What are the 2 major treatments for heartworm disease in ferrets? How is it prevented?
1. Ivermectin until clinical signs resolve 2. Prednisolone for inflammation Ivermectin month year round, Advantage/Revolution
42
What is a common bacterial cause of gastritis in ferrets? What occurs with chronic infection?
Helicobacter mustelae - opportunistic (associated with stress), exposure as kits likely chronic gastritis, duodenitis, and ulcer formation --> chronic inflammation may be a predisposing factor of lymphoma
43
What are the 2 most common clinical signs associated with Helicobacter gastritis in ferrets? What else is seen?
oral ulcers and melena - anorexia, weight loss, lethargy - vomiting, dehydration - nausea - ptyalism, pawing at mouth
44
What is used to diagnose Helicobacter gastritis in ferrets?
endoscopy + histology*
45
What are the 3 major parts of treating Helicobacter gastritis? What else can be added?
1. Amoxicillin 2. Metronidazole 3. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto) H2 blockers (Famotidine, Cimetidine, Ranitidine) + PPI (Omeprazole), cytoprotective agent (Sucralfate)
46
What is inflammatory bowel disease? What are 4 possible causes?
idiopathic, chronic inflammatory condition resulting in lymphoplasmcytic infiltration of stomach and intestinal walls 1. Helicobacter mustelae 2. chronic non-obstructive FB 3. food allergy 4. hypersensitivity
47
What are 4 signs of IBD in ferrets? What can be appreciated on physical exam?
1. soft stool, diarrhea 2. severe melena 3. nausea - pawing at mouth, vomiting 4. weight loss thickened intestines, enlarged LNs
48
What diagnostic offers a definitive diagnosis of IBD? What else is used?
histology - biochem - hyperglobulinemia, elevated lipase, dehydration, elevated liver values - FNA - reactive LNs - U/S - 3 distinct layers of intestinal walls visible (>5 mm), assessed for comorbidities
49
What are 2 options for treating IBD in ferrets?
1. immune suppression - Prednisone/Prednisolone 2. hypoallergenic diet - z/d, totally ferret turkey-venison-lamb meal formula
50
What is eosinophilic gastroenteritis? What ferrets are most commonly affected?
idiopathic, multisystemic inflammatory condition resulting in peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration of GIT and other organs >6 months, suspected food allergy
51
What signs are associated with eosinophilic gastroenteritis in ferrets?
- chronic diarrhea +/- blood and mucus - weight loss, anorexia - dehydration - enlarged mesenteric LNs
52
What diagnostics are used for eosinophilic gastroeneteritis?
- fecal cytology - eosinophils - CBC - eosinophilia - biochem - elevated liver values - histology - definitive
53
What are 5 parts of treating eosinophilic gastroenteritis?
1. immunosuppression - Prednisone/Prednisolone, Azathioprine 2. novel protein or hydrolyzed diet 3. prophylactic treatment for H. mustelae 4. anthelminthic therapy - Ivermectin 5. surgery to remove granulomas
54
What causes proliferative bowel disease in ferrets? In what ferrets is it most common?
Lawsonia intracellularis --> intestinal thickening in colon > small intestines young - 4-6 months
55
What are some clinical signs associated with PBD?
- chronic diarrhea +/- liquid, blood, mucus - perineal staining - straining to defecate - dehydration - weight loss - prolapsed rectum
56
What diagnostics are recommended for PBD? What treatment is used?
- PCR - rectal swab, feces, tissue - gross or histopathologic lesions Chloramphenicol
57
What causes epizootic catarrhal enteritis in ferrets? What is characteristic? How does age affect clinical signs?
ferret enteric coronavirus profuse greenish, mucoid diarrhea in naive ferrets with the addition of a new young ferret--> green slime diarrhea young (<2 y/o) tend to develop mild, self-limiting disease
58
What can occur in adult ferrets recovering from ECE? What diagnostics are recommended?
development of persistent, intermittent malabsorptive diarrhea - CBC - dehydration - biochem - elevated liver enzymes - PCR - feces, intestines - ELISA - histology
59
What treatments are recommended in cases of ECE in ferrets?
- supportive - IVF, antibiotics, antiemetics - prophylactic treatment for H. mustelae - easily absorbed food (Critical Care) - short course of Prednisone in cases of persistent malabsorptive diarrhea
60
What FBs are commonly seen in young and older ferrets?
YOUNG - pencil erasers, rubber bands, shoe soles, carpet padding, balloons, crocs, door stoppers, toys OLDER - trichobezoars
61
Ferret diarrhea:

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