Ferrets: Exotics

Behaviour

• Domesticated

• Life span 5-11y

• Cohabitable

Preventive medicine

• Tattoo = descented + neutered

• distemper vax

  • distemper = 100% mortality

  • 8ws, booster in 3wks, then annually

  • Type I hypersensitivity rx, increase by 80% each time

• Rabies vax

  • defensor 1-3, IMRAB 3, Nobivac 1

  • 3m then annually

• HW meds

  • advantage (L) or revolution (OL)

• Veinpuncture: Jugular, Cephalic, Lateral/medial saphenous, CVC

• IV: tough skin, guid hole, cover tube

Anatomy

• lower Cardiac auscult position

  • lower on sternum/ribcage

  • Gentle compression of anterior mediastinum

• NORMAL Sinus arrhythmia

• Gastrointestinal Tract SHORT

• Genetic deafness

  • white w black eyes, badgers, ¬albino

disease

• Distemper

  • Mucopurulent ocular/nasal discharge

  • Hard Pad

• Ear mites

  • Otodectes cynotis

  • asymptomatic

• Adrenal dx

  • symmetrical tail alopecia 1st CS

  • reticularis issue NOT CUSHINGS

• Prostatic dx: 2nday to adrenal dx

  • Hyperplasia: TX addean dx, caterterize, flutamide

  • Cystic: catheterize, harder to tx

  • AUS to evaluate

• Insulinoma

  • CS: bld glucose <65gm/dL, seizures

  • FUNCTIONAL beta islet cell tumor

  • TX: Prednisone, Diazoxide, SX

• Lymphoma

  • Most common hematopoietic neoplasia of

    ferrets

  • poor prognosis

Feces and urine issues

• Melena

  • upper GI bleeding

  • Helicobacter mustelidae

• ECE

  • Covid carriers

  • green slime, bird seed poop, Elevated liver enzymes

  • TX: supportive, amoxicillin, Gastroprotectants

• Uroliths

  • SX is nessisary

  • infection, plant proteins, genetics

Reproduction

• Seasonally Polyestrous

• BM depression + anemia if not bred/spayed