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Ferrets Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the common ferret types

A

Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferrets

Mustela putorius furo is the European ferret, related to the wild European polecat.

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2
Q

How long has the european ferret been domesticated

A

2000 years

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3
Q

what is the normal body weight range of ferrets

A

500-2,000 grams

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4
Q

what is the normal life span of a ferret

A

5-11 years (typically 6-8 years)

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5
Q

what is the age of weaning of ferrets

A

6-8 weeks

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6
Q

when are ferrets reproductively mature

A

first spring after birth

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7
Q

how long is the gestation of a ferret

A

41 - 42 days

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8
Q

what is the average body temperature of a ferret

A

100.8-104F

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9
Q

what is the normal heart rate of a ferret

A

180-250 bpm

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10
Q

what is the normal respiratory rate of a ferret

A

33-36 per minute

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11
Q

what is a hob

A

Entire Male Ferret

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12
Q

what is a hobble

A

Castrated hob.

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13
Q

what is a hoblet

A

Vasectomised hob.

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14
Q

what is a jill

A

female ferret

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15
Q

what is a sprite

A

female spayed ferret

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16
Q

what is a kit

A

young ferret

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17
Q

what is the average litter size of a ferret

A

1-18 (average 8)

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18
Q

when do a baby ferrets eyes open

A

30-35 days

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19
Q

when do a ferrets permanent canine teeth erupt

A

52 days

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20
Q

when are the ferrets deciduous canine teeth lost

A

56-70days

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21
Q

describe marshall farm ferrets

A

Purchased spayed or neutered and desented

Even when descented, sebaceous skin glands convey a musky odor

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22
Q

describe the nutrition of a ferret

Study These Flashcards
A

Their protein requirements are in fact higher than the cat (recommended protein: 30-40% DM
In general, ferrets are given formulated ferret diets or high-quality animal protein based kitten foods.
Short, simple digestive tract with no cecum or ileocolic valve.

23
Q

Describe housing and husbandry of a ferret

Study These Flashcards
A

Although technically nocturnal, ferrets easily adjust their schedule to human activity.
House ferrets in multilevel cages with solid-bottom flooring. Provide toweling and other items for burrowing and hiding. Ferrets are also commonly litter pan trained.
Never allow ferrets free roam of the home. Instead supervised play should be limited to a ferret-proofed room or region of the home.

24
Q

what are the common vaccinations for ferrets

Study These Flashcards
A

distemper and rabies

25
describe the human influenza virus transmission
human to ferret (usually) and ferret to human
26
what are the clinical signs of the human influenza in ferrets
lethargy, pyrexia, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis
27
how long do human influenza symptoms last in ferrets
5-14 days
28
how do you treat human influenza virus in ferrets
symptomatic - can use pediatric cough suppressants and antihistamines
29
what does helicobacter mustelae cause in ferrets
Chronic gastritis and gastric and duodenal ulcers
30
what are the clinical signs of helicobacter mustelae
lethargy, anorexia, hypersalivation, tooth-grinding, halitosis, melena
31
what are ferrets used as an experimental model for
Ferrets used as experimental model for Helicobacter pylori in humans
32
how do you diagnose helicobacter mustelae
often difficult may require barium series, endoscopy or exploratory surgery
33
Describe insulinoma in ferrets
Seen in middle-aged to older ferrets (3 years and older, typically 5-6 yr) Very common: assume all ferrets 5 years or older have insulinoma until proven otherwise!
34
describe the clinical signs of insulinomas in ferrets
episodic weakness or collapse (minutes to hours), hind limb paresis, abnormal mentation, hypersalivation, pawing at the mouth. seizures uncommon but do occur
35
how do you diagnose ferrets with insulinoma
Diagnosis: hypoglycemia 250 pmol/L (>35 IU/mL)
36
how do you treat insulinomas in ferrets
Surgical treatment: remove all nodules MEDICAL TX – prednisone to help w BSL Surgery is often palliative, but rarely curative: microscopic neoplasia and metastasis have probably occurred at time of surgery
37
what is the prognosis of insulinoma in ferrets
guarded. survival rates vary from 1 month to 1+ years
38
what is the medical therapy of insulinoma in ferrets
Medical therapy is designed to increase the blood glucose concentration. Prednisone (Pediapred®) stimulates the production of blood sugar and is the first line of treatment. Diazoxide (Proglycem®) has anti-insulin affects and is added in with the prednisone if and when hypoglycemic episodes return.
39
describe hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
Extremely common, ages 3 and up Very different disease than seen in the dog (Cushing's) Mostly androgen secreting tumors not cortisol influence of early neutering? - there might be undifferentiated gonadal cells in the adrenal gland- No negative feedback  over secretion of FSH + LH -- causes these cells of the adrenal gland to grow and secrete sex hormones  androgens
40
what does hyperadrenocorticism result in with ferrets
Results in Adrenal cortical hyperplasia, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma (rarely)
41
what are the clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
symmetric hair loss beginning on the tail and spreading up the trunk, Symmetrical alopecia +/- pruritus stranguria or urinary obstruction in males androgens cause enlarged prostate vulvar swelling in females (PU/PD, pendulous belly uncommon), anemia very rare,
42
why does hyperadrenocorticism happen in ferrets
Neutering at an early age Lengthy exposure to indoor lighting Genetic tendencies
43
what is the pathogenesis of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
neutering—no negative feedback results in continuous increase FSH and LH Stimulates undifferentiated cells in Adrenal gland to produce Androgens This triggers hyperplasia  adenoma  adenocarcinoma (rare)
44
how do you diagnose hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
Exploratory surgery or Ultrasound  enlarged Adrenal gland Blood test for elevated Androgens ACTH stim or the LDDS tests are not used Is not associated with elevated cortisol or elevated Alk Phos as in the dog Pruritis does not respond to treatment
45
how do you surgically treat hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
Adrenalectomy– left gland is easier Surgery is curative
46
what is the medical treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets
Lupron, originally used to treat prostate and breast cancers Lupron (Leuprolide) is a GnRH analog that minimizes the secretion of LH and FSH and thus, the sex hormones from the adrenal gland. Requires Monthly injections or a 4 month implant There is another implant that can last for 6-12 months
47
when do you not treat an animal for hyperadrenocorticism
If the only clinical sign is Alopecia ok not to treat Ok if No pruritis, No prostate problems
48
why would you use lupron in a ferret
For ferret with adrenal disease give an injection every 30 days
49
why will an unswayed ferret die
Estrogen toxicity due to prolonged estrus Induced ovulators
50
what disorders are ferrets prone to
Insulinoma Adrenal gland disease Mast cell tumors Lymphoma
51
describe gastrointestinal foreign bodies in ferrets
Gastrotomy to remove a foreign body in a ferret Very common because of ferrets' inquisitive nature Rubber FB most common in younger animals (ear plugs, toys, etc.) Trichobezoars seen in older animals
52
what are clinical signs of gastrointestinal foreign body in ferrets
chiefly anorexia also vomiting, melena, weight loss
53
how do you diagnose gastrointestinal foreign body in ferrets
palpation, radiography
54
how do you treat gastrointestinal foreign body in ferrets
immediate surgery

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