Ferrets

Question 1

Who are the “smelly little thiefs”?

Answer 1

Ferrets

• Mustela putorius furo*
• Mustela nigripes* - US indigenous, protected in Midwest

Question 2

A Ferret comes into the clinic, and you diagnose it with Influenza. Where did it most likey get the virus?

Answer 2

From the Owner

Question 3

What is the average life span of a ferret?

Answer 3

7-8 years

Question 4

What kind of activity/foraging behavior do ferrets exhibit?

Answer 4

Crepuscular

Active at twilight

Question 5

What is Waardenburg Sydrome?

Answer 5

A color-linked congential deafness seen in blaze and panda ferrets

the often bite because they are easily startled

Question 6

You see this tattoo while examining a ferret.

Where was it bred and what do you know about it now?

Answer 6

Bred from Marshal Farms - North Rose, NY

It has been neutered and descented

Question 7

T/F: Ferrets are near-sighted, have a good sense of smell and a flat skull

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What is this doctor listening to on this ferret?

Answer 8

The heart.

It sits more caudally than the typical elbow landmark.

Question 9

Ferrets have a (large/small) lung capacity and (large/small) diameter airways,

Answer 9

Ferrets have a large lung capacity and large diameter airways,

Question 10

What is the avergae HR of a ferret?

What does a normal ECG look like?

Answer 10

HR 180-230

Tall R Waves

Normal to have a sinus arrhythmia

Abnormal but common: AV Block

Question 11

How would you classify a ferret’s diet?

Answer 11

Strictly Carnivorous

Question 12

T/F: Ferrets lack a cecum and have a GI transit time of ~3 hours.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What characteristics should you look for in a ferret diet?

Answer 13

High protein (35-40%)

High fat (15-20%)

Low fiber (<3%)

Question 14

How do you weigh a ferret?

Answer 14

In grams, with a gram scale

Question 15

Name 4 injectable sedatives that can be used in ferrets

Answer 15

Butorphanol (AKA torbugesic - long lasting)

Midazolam (Flumazinel reversal)

Dexmeditomadine (Atipamezole reversal) (AKA Dexdormitor and Anti-sedan)

Alfaxalone

Question 16

What happens if you give a ferret CDV vaccine made for dogs?

Answer 16

They can contract CDV. Must use a vaccine made for ferrets!

Must be modified live monovalent vaccine

Question 17

When do we vaccinate ferrets for canine distemper virus?

Answer 17

At 12 and 16 weeks

Question 18

My ferret likes to hang out with the local raccoon. I noticed that after a week of playing with the raccon, his foot pads are becoming thickened and his skin is kind of an orange/red. What should my veterinarin do to diagnose his problem?

Answer 18

Look for inclusion bodies in a skin biopsy

Sounds like Canine distemper :(

Question 19

T/F: Ferrets need to be vaccinated every 3 years for rabies.

Answer 19

Depends ..

They can get the vaccine yearly, but it depends on local laws and prevelance of the disease in your area.

Question 20

Vaccine reactions are very common in ferrets. How long after giving a vaccine does the reaction typically occur?

Answer 20

Within 30 minutes

We can pre-medicate with antihistamines

We can give antihistamines and steroids after if a reaction occurs.

Question 21

What are 5 venipuncture sites on a ferret?

Answer 21

1. Cephalic Vein
2. LAteral Saphenous
3. Cranial vena cava
4. Jugular vein
5. Tail vein?

Question 22

When taking blood on a ferret, what should you add to the needel because of thier slow blood flow?

What does this mean about blood testing?

Answer 22

Add heparin to the syringe to prevent blood clot

Cant do CBC if heparin used, but can do chemistry

Question 23

What pH does ferret urine usually run?

Answer 23

5.5-6.5

Common to have crystal formation

Question 24

T/F: Urinary Tract Obstruction is a common emergency that is more prevelant in male ferrets than female ferrets

Answer 24

True

Some causes are Urolithiasis, Prostatomegaly, Adrenal Dz

Question 25

What are 4 routes used to administer fluids in a ferret?

Answer 25

SQ - divided TID IV - slow drip or CRI IO - slow bolus or CRI IP

Question 26

T/F: If a ferret has been vomiting, has hypoglycemia or moderate azotemia, an IV Catheter is indicated.

Answer 26

True

Question 27

What is the maintenance fluid rate for a ferret?

Answer 27

75 ml/kg/day dont forget to convert grams to kgs

Question 28

What are some fluids used for fluid therapy in ferrets?

Answer 28

LRS Dextrose: 2.5-20% using a buretrol mini drip or CRI

Question 29

What can IO catheters be used to transfuse?

Answer 29

Blood transfusion Dextrose administration

Question 30

T/F: A ferret can recieve blood from 10 different ferrets beause they have no blood groups.

Answer 30

True

Question 31

How much blood can be drawn from a ferret?

Answer 31

maximum of 10% of circulating blood volume but try to avoid taking that much

Question 32

Intact female ferrets experience persistent estrus leading to estrogen toxicity. What does estrogen toxicity cause suppression of?

Answer 32

bone marrow

Question 33

What two locations can you take a bone marrow sample from in a ferret?

Answer 33

Femur Iliac crest

Question 34

T/F: It is normal for ferrets to have a large spleen

Answer 34

True But if they have symtpoms that seem spleen related, best to check on it.

Question 35

T/F: Ferrets normally have extramedullary hematopoiesis in their spleen

Answer 35

True But if the spleen is causing a probem, it can safely be removed and they can still make RBCs

Question 36

What are 4 problems we can diagnose on histopathology of the spleen?

Answer 36

Extramedullary hematopoeisis Lymphosarcoma Hemangiosarcoma Hematoma

Question 37

What size needle and syringe do we use for splenic aspiration?

Answer 37

25 g needle with a 6 cc syringe

Question 38

T/F: Ferrets experience many side effects from numerous drugs.

Answer 38

False They tolerate most drugs very well, at dog doses.

Question 39

T/F: Ferrets need a high dose of parenteral opioids to achieve sedative effects

Answer 39

False Ferrets are very sensitive to sedative effects of parenteral opioids

Question 40

What age do we start to see dental disease in ferrets?

Answer 40

~3 years old 1-2 years old we start to see tartar

Question 41

T/F: Hard kibble damages the ferrets enamel and predisposes them to tartar

Answer 41

True

Question 42

A ferrets comes in feeling nauseous, where should you check for ulcers?

Answer 42

The roof of their mouth, They scratch the roof of their mouth when feeling nauseous and can cause ulcers.

Question 43

Most ferrets have *Helicobacter* and are typically asymptomatic carriers unless stressed. Where does this bacteria colonize?

Answer 43

Pylorus and Duodenum

Question 44

What are some clinical signs of ulcers in the ferret?

Answer 44

Melena Bruxism Ptyalism Anorexia/inappetance Chronic weight loss vomiting is UNCOMMON

Question 45

How can you differentiate between the dark color of melena and bile?

Answer 45

smush it onto a white papertowel. Melena will have a red tinge Bile with have a green tinge

Question 46

What is the fancy doctor term for teeth grinding?

Answer 46

Bruxism

Question 47

How do we diagnose *Helicobacter* as the cause of your ferrets ulcer?

Answer 47

Gastric or duodenal mucosal biopsy combined with silver stains (Warthin-Starry) PCR swab of mucosa Typically we are treating based on clincical signs.

Question 48

What "Triple Therapy" is the treatment used for *Helicobacter* in ferrets?

Answer 48

Amoxicillin + Metronidazole (Flagyl) + Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto) Also will usually give fluids, famotidine, sucralfate and clarithromycin

Question 49

What age groups of ferrets are most represented for GI foreign bodies?

Answer 49

\<2 yrs & \>3 yrs

Question 50

Older/younger ferrets normally have GIFB from rubber pieces while older/younger ferrets have GIFB from trichobezoars

Answer 50

**Younger** ferrets normally have FB from rubber pieces while **older** ferrets have FB from trichobezoars

Question 51

What are some clinical signs associated with GIFB in ferrets?

Answer 51

Acute or chronic signs Anorexia/weight loss diarrhea melena acutley weak vomiting is NOT COMMON

Question 52

How do we diagnose GIFB in ferrets?

Answer 52

Clinical signs abdominal palpation RADs +/- contrast Exploratory Surgery

Question 53

What is the prognosis of GIFB in ferrets?

Answer 53

Good Prognosis in most cases

Question 54

How to we tx GIFB in ferrets?

Answer 54

Medical: Supportive Care, fluids, lubricant, abx Surgery if needed

Question 55

What are some causes of diarrhea in ferrets? Name 5 mentioned in class.

Answer 55

1. Dietary indiscretion 2. FB 3. Enteric Coronavirus 4. Inflammatory Bowel Dz 5. Intestinal Lymphoma

Question 56

What is the etiology of "epizootic catharrhal enteritis" or "green slime diarrhea"?

Answer 56

Enteric Coronavirus (ECE)

Question 57

T/F: ECE has a low mortality and mordbidity rate, with young ferrets being susceptible and older ferrets being carriers.

Answer 57

False ECE has a low mortality and mordbidity rate, with **young ferrets being carriers** and **older ferrets being susceptible**.

Question 58

Name two diseases that cause a chronic malabsoprtion syndrome in ferrets.

Answer 58

ECE and Inflammatory Bowel Dz

Question 59

A ferret comes into your clinic with "bird seed" tan diarrhea. After your PE and some testing, you diagnose the ferret with inflammatory bowel disease. What should you warn the client about as being a possible sequela of this disease?

Answer 59

Lymphoma Chronic inflammation can lead to lymphoma (MALT)

Question 60

What are two common endocrine diseases we see in ferrets?

Answer 60

Hyperadrenalcorticism & Insulinoma

Question 61

T/F: Most ferrets have unilateral or bilateral adrenal disease, which is related to being spayed/neutered.

Answer 61

True

Question 62

How does spaying/neutering your ferret lead to adrenal disease?

Answer 62

Interuption of the P-A-G axis leads to adrenal gland producing sex hormones. The pituitary stimulates the adrenal gland in the abscence of the gonads by way of its sex hormone producing receptors. This leads to a hormone producing tumor: hyperplasia of the adrenal gland (hyperadrenalcorticism) --\> adenoma --\> adenocarcinoma.

Question 63

Which steroids does the adrenal gland produce in excess in a ferret with hyperadrenalcorticism?

Answer 63

Progesterones, Androgens, Estrogens Cortisol is produced at normal levels, they do NOT have Cushing's Dz

Question 64

What are some clinical signs or Hyperadrenalcorticism in ferrets?

Answer 64

**Hair-loss** **Pruitus** **Swollen vulva** (r/o intact female) **Prostatomegaly** (usually small, enlarges from adrenal androgens and becomes cystic, leads to urinary obstruction) **Stronger smell** **Sexual behavior**

Question 65

When you palpate a "double bladder" in a ferret, what are you worried about?

Answer 65

Prostatic Enlargement/Disease

Question 66

How do we treat hyperadrenalcortcism in ferrets?

Answer 66

**Adrenalectomy** and/or monthly **Leuprolide/Lupron** injections Treats, does not cure Same drug given to egg bound birds

Question 67

Which side would you usually do a subtotal adrenalectomy in a ferret?

Answer 67

Right

Question 68

This ferret has hyperadrenalcortisism. What stage is it in when we start to see petechial hemmorhages on the skin?

Answer 68

End-stage Dz

Question 69

How long does a Deslorelin Implant (Virbac) work against hyperadrenalcorticism in ferrets?

Answer 69

Implant can last **12-24 months**

Question 70

What kind of tumor is an Insulinoma?

Answer 70

Pancreatic Beta Cell Carcinoma

Question 71

An insulinoma is a controallable, slowly progessive disease thats causes (hypo/hyper)glycemia

Answer 71

An insulinoma is a controallable, slowly progessive disease thats causes **hypoglycemia**

Question 72

A 6 year old ferret comes into your clinic with presenting complaints of intermintent weaknes in the rear end, drooling, inappetance, hard to wake up and the owner thinks the ferret may have had a a seziure. You obtain a fasting blood glucose level of 50 (\<60 abnormal). Your working diagnosis is Insulinoma. You decide to see if the ferret responds to medical therpay. What drugs might you try?

Answer 72

1st start **Prednisone**: gluconeogenic Later start **Diazoxide**: insulin blocker **Low carb diet** Good prognosis if responds to medical therapy

Question 73

Which brand of prednisone do ferrets seem to prefer?

Answer 73

**Pediapred** Brand name of Diazoxide is Proglycem

Question 74

What are 4 common tumors of Ferrets?

Answer 74

1. Adrenal Tumors 2. Insulinomas 3. Lymphosarcomas 4. Mast Cell Tumors (skin)

Question 75

Mast Cell Tumors, which can be itchys and bloody, have a good prognosis with surgical removal. Why?

Answer 75

Benign and do not metastisize Very common only in the skin

Question 76

T/F: Lymphosarcoma is a multicentric disease that is common in both young and older ferrets.

Answer 76

True

Question 77

How do we Diagnose and Stage LSA in ferrets?

Answer 77

Diagnose with tissue biopsy or aspirate Stage with bone marrow CBC not always helpful

Question 78

When treating LSA in ferrets, chemotherapy is an option. What are the drugs used in the COP protocol?

Answer 78

Cyclophosphamide (cytoxan) Vincristine (oncovin) Predni**_solone_**

Question 79

What is a palliative treatment for LSA in ferrets?

Answer 79

Predni**_sone_**

Question 80

T/F: Ferrets can have DCM, HCM and/or occult heart worm disease?

Answer 80

True