Ferrets Flashcards by Erica Danneberger

What is the average lifespan of a pet ferret?

7-8 years

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When are ferrets active/what is this called?

Crepuscular

Active at twilight

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What are the unique skeletal features of the ferret?

Long and narrow
Flexible conformation
Flat skull
Compliant ribcage

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What are the unique senses features of the ferret?

Near-sighted

- Keen sense of smell

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What is Waardenburg Syndrome?

color-linked congenital deafness in white-faced ferrets

- Blaze and Panda

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What are the unique features of the respiratory system in the ferret?

Large lung capacity

- Large diameter airways

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What is the average heart rate of a ferret?

180-230 bpm

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What is the number 1 ECG problem found in ferrets?

AV block

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Which heart condition is common and normal in the ferret?

sinus arrhythmia

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Describe the appropriate diet for a ferret

Strict carnivore
High protein
High fat
Low fiber
Avoid grain-free

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Describe the unique features of the ferret GI tract

short GI transit
no cecum
simple gut flora

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What are the restraint techniques used with the ferret?

scruff
nutrical: high sugar paste
chemical: iso, sevo, injectables

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What drugs are used as injectable/chemical restraints in the ferret?

Torbugesic
Midazolam
Dexdormitor
Alfaxalone

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Which vaccines are needed in a ferret?

Canine Distemper

Rabies

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What are the symptoms/signs of CDV in a ferret?

orange tint to skin
crusting on mucocutaneous junctions
hard pads
neurological signs

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Which sites can be used for venipuncture in the ferret?

cephalic vein
lateral saphenous
cranial vena cava
jugular

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How is a cranial vena cava venipuncture performed?

blind stick along manubrum of sternum

- rigid restraint needed

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Urinary tract obstruction in ferrets

common emergency
males
urolithisais
prostatomegaly
difficult to pass catheter

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Which pathways can fluid be administered in the ferret?

SC, IV, IO, IP

What are the indications for an IV catheter in the ferret?

Vomiting
Hypoglycemia
Moderate azotemia
Blood transfusions
Chemotherapy
Long surgical procedures

What are the indications for a splenic aspiration in the ferret?

splenomegaly
irregular spleen
abnormal US
anemia of unknown etiology
lymphosarcoma

Where does H. mustelae colonize in the ferret?

pylorus and duodenum

- mainly greater antrum of stomach

What are the clinical signs of H. mustelae infection?

melena
bruxism and ptyalism
anorexia or inappetance
vomiting uncommon
chronic weight loss

How is H. mustelae infection diagnosed?

gastric/duodenal mucosal biopsy
silver stains
PCR swab of mucosa
clinical signs

How is H. mustelae infection treated?

- triple therapy - amoxicillin + metronidazole - bismuth subsalicyclate - sucralfate - clarithromycin

What are the clinical signs of a gastric foreign body in the ferret?

- anorexia and weight loss - diarrhea, melena - acutely weak - vomiting not common

How are gastric foreign bodies treated?

- supportive care - fluids, lubricants, antibiotics - surgery if needed

What are possible causes of diarrhea in ferrets?

- dietary indiscretion - foreign body - coronavirus - IBS - intestinal lymphoma

What is another name for viral diarrhea in ferrets?

Epizootic catarrhal enteritis

Describe the features of Epizootic catarrhal enteritis

- green slime diarrhea - transmissible - young ferrets as carriers - diarrhea and anorexia

What is the cause of Epizootic catarrhal enteritis?

coronavirus

How is Epizootic catarrhal enteritis treated?

supportive care

Which disease shows "bird seed" tan diarrhea?

inflammatory bowel disease | - chronic malabsorption syndrome

What is being over-produced in hyperadrenalcorticism in ferrets?

sex steroids | - androgens, estrogens, and progesterones

What are the clinical signs of hyperadrenalcorticism in ferrets?

- hair loss - pruritis - swollen vulva - prostatomegaly - strong smell - sexual behavior

How is hyperadrenalcorticism treated?

- Leuprolide monthly injections - adrenalectomy - usually both

What is a result from chronic estrogen production?

bone marrow suppression

What is Lupron, and what does it do?

- Leuprolide - GnRH agonist - stimulates LH/FSH - negative feedback stops steroidogenesis

What is an insulinoma, and what is the primary effect?

- pancreatic beta cell carcinoma | - over-produces insulin resulting in hypoglycemia

What are the clinical signs of insulinoma in ferrets?

- episodic weakness - coma and seizure - drooling, inappetance - difficult to arouse - weak in rear end

How is an insulinoma diagnosed?

- fast blood glucose levels < 60 - surgical biopsy - response to treatment

What is the treatment for insulinoma?

- prednisone (gluconeogenic) - diazoxide (blocks insulin) - low carb diet - surgery: nodulectomy or partial pancreatectomy

What are the features of mast cell tumors in ferrets

- very common in skin only - benign, do not metastasize - can be itchy and bloody - surgical removal - good prognosis

What are the features of lymphosarcomas in ferrets?

- common - multicentric - lymphadenopathy

How is lymphosacroma treated?

- surgical debulking - chemotherapy - prednisone

Which cardiovascular disease is more common in ferrets?

dilated cardiomyopathy