Ferrets

Question 1

Taxonomy

Answer 1

Order: Carnivora
Genus: Mustelidae
Species: putorius furo (domestic)

Question 2

Mustela nigripes

Answer 2

Black footed ferret
Only species native to N. America
Predators that depend on prairie dogs for survival

Question 3

Lifespan

Answer 3

5-8 years

Question 4

Age of sexual maturity

Answer 4

4-12 months

Question 5

Ferret terminology

Answer 5

Female: Jill
Males: Hobs
Baby: kits

Question 6

Cardiovascular anomaly

Answer 6

Single carotid a.= Innominate a. I from descending a.

Question 7

GI

Answer 7

Rapid transit time so fasting should be limited to 3 hours before surgery

Question 8

Male reproductive organs

Answer 8

J- shaped os penis
Tense musculature so needs to be sedated for catheter

Question 9

Breeding season

Answer 9

March to August
Weight fluctuations up 30-40%
Induced by artificial lighting
Fat increased in fall and lost in spring

Question 10

Females

Answer 10

Induced ovulators
Remain in estrus until mated or if 12 hours off daylight

Question 11

Litter size

Answer 11

2-17 (average is 8)

Question 12

Ocular anatomy

Answer 12

Holangiotic fundus
Sees only red color
Albinos have decreased motion detection

Question 13

Oto anatomy

Answer 13

Deafiness linked to coat color
Waardenburg syndrome

Question 14

Spleen

Answer 14

Primary site for hematopoiesis

Question 15

What are ferret susceptible and resistant to?

Answer 15

S: human, bovine, and avian tuberculosis
R: samonella spp.

Question 16

Head turn

Answer 16

Central artery allows ferret to maintain blood flow to brain while head turned 180 degrees

Question 17

Distemper

Answer 17

Ubiquitous, ferret taken outside should have vx
Transmitted by fomites, aerosol and direct contact with secretions
NO TREATMENT

Question 18

Distemper CS

Answer 18

Progress quickly in young –> death without signs
Anorexia, photophobia, lethargy, resp. discharge, pruritic rash on chin

Question 19

Influenza

Answer 19

Recovery within 7-14 days
Treatment is supportive and antibiotics for secondary infections

Question 20

Epizoonotic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE)

Answer 20

Ferret enteric coronavirus (FREC)
Highly contagious with low morbidity and mortality
Seen in high density housing
Asymptomatic, juveniles illness in adults

Question 21

Ferret Systemic Coronavirus (FRSCV)

Answer 21

Multifocal white firm nodules throughout mesentery
Mesenteric LN enlarged with nodules

Question 22

Aleutian disease

Answer 22

Virus transmission by aerosol or contact with infected bodily secretions
Emaciation, icterus, posterior paresis, renal complications

Question 23

Helicobacter mustelae

Answer 23

In stomach and duodenum after weaning
Opportunistic
Gastritis (auto-abs) , ulcer formation, gastric lymphoma

Question 24

Definitive diagnosis of Helicobacter

Answer 24

High infection rates, low clin disease prevalence
Bacteria in feces or stomach swab
Endoscopy, biopsy, histology

Question 25

Lawsonia intracellularis

Answer 25

Causes proliferative bowel disease Diarrhea, weight loss, rectal prolapse Treat with chloramphenicol 2x day for 14-21 days

Question 26

Where is Lawsonia intracellularis seen?

Answer 26

Thickened gut loops/ colon @ 4-6 months of age Lab ferrets

Question 27

Bacterial gastroenteritis

Answer 27

Most common form Gram-neg bacteria From stress, poor husbandry

Question 28

Fungal infections

Answer 28

Microsporum canis Trichophyton mentagrophytes Microsporum nanum (pyogranulomatous dermatitis and fungal pododermatitis) Blastomyces dermatitidis (granulomatous mengoencephalitis)

Question 29

___________ can causes bone marrow suppression

Answer 29

Hyperrestrogenism *pancytopenia*

Question 30

Hyperadrenocorticism

Answer 30

Early neutering (loss of negative feedback from gonads)

Question 31

Adrenal Associated Endocrinopathy

Answer 31

Role of photoperiod Exposed to less definitive seasonal photoperiods 8 hour light increased GnRH and LH production

Question 32

Treatment of Adrenal Associated Endocrinopathy

Answer 32

Darkness increase (melatonin) Ferretonin (melatonin implant) Lupron (GnRH) Deslorelin (GnRH agonist) Surgery (only definitive treatment)

Question 33

Insulinoma

Answer 33

Equal distribution between sexes seen in middle-aged or older Diagnosed with blood chem

Question 34

Clinical presentation of insulinoma

Answer 34

Lethargy, ataxia, stargazing, hindlimb weakness, nausea (pytalism and pawing @ mouth)

Question 35

Heart Failure

Answer 35

Severe cardiac disease Increased venous pressure, congestion, low cardiac output

Question 36

Cardiac disease

Answer 36

Congenital (valves, septum, tetralogy of fallot) Acquired (valvular, dilated cardiomyopathy)

Question 37

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Answer 37

Increased diameter of diastolic chambers Decreased contractility and output