Ferrets

Question 1

List the 6 main DDX for GIT disease in ferrets

Answer 1

Helicobacter mustelae 
Epizootic cattarhal Enteritis
Ferret systemic coronavirus 
Proliferative colitis
IBD
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Question 2

What four bacteria spp cause GIT disease in ferrets

Answer 2

Helicobacter mustilae
Salmonella
Campylobacter
Coliforms

Question 3

What 4 types of parasites often cause GIT disease in ferrets

Answer 3

Giardia
Crypto parvum
Coccidiosis
GI nematodes

Question 4

What Sx does helicobacter mustelae cause in ferrets

Answer 4

D+, V+, abdominal pain, chronic Gastritis, duodenitis, melaena, mesenteric lymphadenopathy, Anaemia

Question 5

What may develop secondary to helicobacter infection in ferrets

Answer 5

Ulcers

Question 6

How is helicobacter infection Dx in ferrets

Answer 6

Silver staining of tissue

Question 7

How can helicobacter be Tx in ferrets

Answer 7

Ranitidine, omeprazole for ulcers

AntiB e.g. metronidazole, amoxicillin

Question 8

What causes epizootic cattarhal Enteritis

Answer 8

Coronavirus

Question 9

What are the Sx of epizootic cattarhal Enteritis in ferrets

Answer 9

V+, free mucoid D+, weight loss

Question 10

What causes ferret systemic Coronavirus disease

Answer 10

Coronavirus

Question 11

Which cat disease is ferret systemic Coronavirus related to

Answer 11

FIP

Question 12

What are signs of ferret systemic Coronavirus

Answer 12

D+, weight loss, lethargy, anorexia, HL weakness, splenomegaly, pyrexia, hypergammaglobinaemia

Question 13

Which form of ferret systemic Coronavirus is most commonly seen

Answer 13

Granulomatous / dry form

Question 14

What causes proliferative colitis in ferrets

Answer 14

Lawsonia intracellularis

Question 15

How is proliferative colitis in ferrets Tx

Answer 15

Chloramphenicol for 2-3wks

Question 16

What are the 3 main oral diseases seen in ferrets

Answer 16

Dental disease
Salivary mucocele
Neoplasia

Question 17

What is the main lice spp of ferrets

Answer 17

Sarcoptes scabiei

Question 18

What are the three main mite spp of ferrets

Answer 18

Lynxacarus mustelae
Demodex
Otodectes cyanosis

Question 19

Why are female ferrets prone to oestrogen toxicity

Answer 19

Reflex ovulators

Undated = exposed to high oestrogen = bone marrow suppression and pancytopenia = aplastic Anaemia

Question 20

When does adrenal gland disease present in ferrets

Answer 20

3-4yrs post neutering

Question 21

Which zone of the adrenal gland is affected by adrenal disease in ferrets and what is the pathophysiology

Answer 21

Zone reticularis = hyperadrenogism
FSH and LH can’t act on gonads = no -ve feedback
Receptors form on adrenal gland = adrenal Hyperplasia or neoplasia = androgen production

Question 22

What are the main Sx of adrenal disease in ferrets

Answer 22

Adrenal Hyperplasia = Adenoma = adenocarcinoma

Bilateral symmetrical alopecia, pruritis, vulval swelling, postateomegaly

Question 23

How can adrenal Disease be Dx in ferrets

Answer 23

Serum adrenal panel for oesteodiol etc BUT doesn’t distinguish from ovarian remnant disease

Rx often unremarkable except prostatomegaly

Ultrasound to ID adrenomegaly

Question 24

How is adrenal Disease best Tx in ferrets

Answer 24

Exploratory surgery to remove L adrenal gland if affected or de-bulk the R

GnRH analogue - useful in early stages of disease

Melatonin / photoperiod manipulation - ferrets seasonally polyoestrus

Question 25

How can adrenal Disease be Px in ferrets

Answer 25

Keep outdoors - seasonally polyoestrus | Alternatives to neutering - deslorelin implant, proligestone Jill jab, vasectomise hob

Question 26

What are the options for Px persistent oestrus in ferrets

Answer 26

Jill jab - proligestone, given SC as they come into season in spring Buserelin (receptal) - induce ovulation Vasectomise hob Deslorelin implant every 12-24 months

Question 27

How are Male ferrets managed to prevent adrenal disease

Answer 27

Implant with suprelorin Neuter +/- implant

Question 28

What is the aetiology and signlament of insulinoma in ferrets

Answer 28

B cell tumours - Adenoma or adenocarcinoma | Males, 4-6yrs

Question 29

What are the Sx of insulinoma in ferrets

Answer 29

``` HL weakness or ataxia Stargazing Dull Seizure May resolve following meal Collapse Salivation Nausea ```

Question 30

How is insulinoma Dx in ferrets

Answer 30

Persistent hypoglycaemia = blood glucose < 3.4 after 4hrs without food

Question 31

How is insulinoma Tx in ferrets

Answer 31

Emergency stabilisation with glucose Surgical resection Medical - prednisolone, diazoxide Dietary - high fat and protein meals, simple sugars

Question 32

What is the most common form of heart disease seen in ferrets

Answer 32

DCM

Question 33

Which deficiency is DCM NOT related to in ferrets

Answer 33

Taurine

Question 34

What other three CVS diseases other than DCM may be seen in ferrets

Answer 34

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Restrictive cardiomyopathy Degenerative valvular Disease

Question 35

What causes influenza in ferrets

Answer 35

Orthomyxoviridae - strains of human flu virus A and B infectious to ferrets

Question 36

What are ferrets mostly vaccinated against

Answer 36

Canine distemper - used off cascade

Question 37

What causes canine distemper in ferrets

Answer 37

Paramyxovirus - morbillivirus

Question 38

What are the main Sx of canine distemper in ferrets

Answer 38

``` Photosensitivity Anorexia Pyrexia Mucopurulent oculonasal discharge Ataxia Hyperkeratosis ```

Question 39

What disease does parvovirus cause in ferrets

Answer 39

Aleutian Disease

Question 40

What is Aleutian Disease in ferrets

Answer 40

Immune complex Mediated disorder

Question 41

What are the Sx of Aleutian Disease in ferrets

Answer 41

Multiple organ failure | Hypergammaglobinaemia

Question 42

What are the top three neoplasia in ferrets

Answer 42

Insulinoma Adrenal gland disease Lymphoma