E. A growing number of animals are being neutered and descented at 4 - 5 weeks of age. The males do not reach a normal large size and the females grow larger than normal. There is some concern over the long term effects of this procedure. F. Anal gland removal is performed in a similar manner as in other pets. This procedure is generally not necessary unless anal gland disease is present or the animal releases its anal glands frequently. Leave incisions open after surgery, because suturing may lead to stricture. G. Declawing - is not recommended. H. Ferrets do not chew their sutures. 4 -0 nylon in the skin is adequate. Two layer closure in the in the abdominal wall and the skin or subcuticular is recommended if no skin sutures are desired. Although gut sutures are generally not a problem, some reaction and dehiscence of wounds has been seen with its use, especially in cancer patients and spays. `The use of 4 - 0 PDS is then recommended. I. Ferrets may have a delayed hair regrowth port surgically depending on the time year. The skin may also turn a blueish or olive color post - surgically, especially in the case of females that were in estrus. This color is usually just a new hair coat coming up through the epidermis. Sometimes hair color or texture may change after a surgical procedure. XI. PARASITIC DISEASE A. Sarcoptes scabei l. Affects the feet primarily - scabs, pruritis, swelling 2. Use ivermectin at 0.5mg/kg for two doses subQ 2 weeks apart B. Microsporum canis 1. Same signs as dogs and cats - ferrets are not carriers 2. Griseofulvin 25mg/kg + ]lime sulfur dip weekly C. Fleas - use products safe for cats and kittens. Treat animal and environment. D. Otodectces cynotis 1. Extremely common in ferrets, check every new ferret - most animals show no signs of pruritis for excessive ear wax. 2. Normal ear wax is reddish brown and is more prominent in some animals, so one cannot use the amount or color of wax to diagnose ear mites. 3. Ear swab and microscopic examination is the best way to check 4. Treat with 0.5mg/kg of ivermectin, dividing dose into each ear. Repeat treatment in two weeks. Bathe the animal and wash bedding after each treatment 5. Ear mite treatments available for cats may also be used. E. Intestinal parasite: - uncommon. Coccidia is the most common, giardia and ascarids have also been reported. Treat with anthelmintics safe for the feline. F. Dirofilaria immitis 1. Ferrets are natural hosts. 2. Prevention - none is approved for use, but ivermectin is used monthly in the same dose as the dog. 3. Diagnosis is difficult - direct heartworm tests are not reliable. 4. Diagnosis is based primarily on clinical signs and radiology - one can use Hypaque IV dye with a radiograph to see worms in the heart. 5. Dr. Kemmerer of Gainesville, FL recommends the CTTE test for occult heartworm as another means of diagnosis (1992) 6. Treatment is difficult, but successes have been reported. It appears that heparinzing the animal prior to and during the treatment is one of the keys to success. G. Fungal - A variety of fungal infections have been reported including aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, coccidomycosis and actinomycosis. Unfortunately most are diagnosed on post mortem. Treatment regimens would follow those used in other domestic pets. XII. INFECTIOUS DISEASES A. Canine distemper 1. Mortality rate is virtually 100% so vaccination is essential 2. Signs appear 7 - 21 days post exposure. 3. Initially there may be only a slight ocular discharge, which will be unresponsive to medication. This progresses to a nasal discharge, swelling of the lips and lethargy and anorexia. 4. The lips and chin will develop severe crusting. 5. Footpads will become hyperkaratotic. 6. May have seizures prior to death. 7. Diagnosis is based primarily on clinical signs - there is no other disease in the ferret that mimics distemper in its advanced form. Conjunctival scrapings may also be done. 8. Euthanasia is the most humane treatment; the animal may live on in agony for days to weeks. B. Intluenza virus (human) 1. Very common in the ferret - ferrets can also transmit the disease back to humans. May be fatal in newborns, but in juveniles and adults it is usually self limiting. 2. Signs include rhinitis, anorexia, listlessness, sneezing, coughing and occasionally diarrhea. 3. May last 5 -14 days. 4. Treatment, other than supportive, is generally not necessary. The use of chlopheniramine at 1- 2 mg/kg up to TID or Benadryl 0.50 - 2mglkg BID to TID to control sneezing fits and coughing is helpful. 5. Antibiotics may be used if the animal has secondary bacterial infections - amoxycillin works well. C. Aleutian disease 1. Caused by a parvovirus which is rapidly fatal in mink. 2. It is a slowly progressive immune-mediated disease where the animal's own immune system produces the pathologic lesions: Antibody/antigen complexes deposit in the liver, kidneys and arteries causing damage and inflammation. 3. Ferrets may be asymptomatic carriers for 200 days or more. 4. The signs of the disease are variable. The most common sign is a progressive posterior paresis (eventually paralysis) with wasting and tarry stools. One may also see general wasting, or hyperactivity and personality changes followed by death. Splenomegally is also frequently present. 5. Diagnosis is by a positive Aleutians FAT done on serum. (Note: many ferrets who test positive for Aleutians disease never become clinically ill. It is thought that some ferrets that have been vaccinated for distemper with a vaccine also containing parvo vaccine may give false positive readings when tested) 6. No treatment is currently available, although the use of steroids may result in prolonging life and lead to temporary relief of signs. 7. We recommend testing all breeding animals prior to introduction into the breeding population. We do not recommend euthanasia of asymptomatic pet animals that test positive. D. Rabies l. Ferrets are susceptible, please vaccinate. 2. Incubation period is still unknown for exposure to wild virus; therefore it is unknown. If a 10 days observation period is sufficient for suspect cases. 3. Be familiar with local regulations, because many localities do not recognize the rabies vaccine as effective. Many localities classify the ferret as a wild animal yet and treat it as such in bite cases by destroying the animal and having its brain examined for rabies. E. Infectious: Bovine Rhinitracheitis - may be transmitted if infected beef is fed to ferrets. F. Feline Leukemia Virus. Work is currently being done to identify a viral origin of lymphosarcoma in the ferret. Research is being conducted at MIT (see address)* It is not currently recommended to use the FeLV test or vaccine on ferrets. G. C. botulinum 1. 100% fatal - transmission is by feeding raw or contaminated food. 2. Signs appear 12 - 96 hours post - exposure. 3. Treatment is supportive - prevent by vaccination. H. Tuberculosis l. Avian, bovine and human strains may cause disease. 2. Primarily affects mesenteric and abdominal lymph nodes. 3. Symptoms are: emaciation, paralysis of aductor muscles of the pelvic limbs. 4. Diagnosis is by palpation of enlarged lymph nodes, acid fast bacilli in abdominal organs and positive avian TB test. I. Abscesses & mastltis A variety of bacteria have been associated with abscesses, mastitis, vulvar infections, etc. Cultures are advisable, but good first antibiotic choices are Amoxicillan (25 - 35 mg/kg BID) and Keflex Pediatric Suspension at 20mg/kg BID. One may also use trimethoprim sulfa at 30 - 50 mg/kg BID. Other antibiotics as used for the feline may be used at the feline dosages. J. Salmonella sp - Ferrets appear to be resistant to this disease, although it may cause abortions in females. L. Proliferative bowel disease 1. Camplobacter sp. is implicated in this disease, however, this bacterial agent alone cannot cause the disease when given directly to healthy ferrets. 2. Acute form presents with bloody diarrhea & death in 3 - 4 days. The chronic form, which is the most common, presents with tenesmus, soft, greenish - black stools which may be streaked with blood; frequent and painful defecation, and wasting leading eventually to death. 3. The colon becomes very thickened and firm (palpable) 4. Diagnosis is based primarily on signs, but one may also perform a biopsy of the colon and/ or rectal cultures, but negative cultures do not rule out this disease. 5. Has been successfully treated with chloramphenicol at 50mg/kg p.o. for 14 to 21 days. Cases that do not respond to chloramphenicol can be given 4 mg/kg of gentocin p.o. BID for 7 days. 6. Most commonly seen in ferrets under 1 year of age and reoccurrence of signs after treatment have occurred. L. "Simple" colitis 1. May be related to mild proliferative bowel disease, or even seen in high stress households. 2. Signs are soft frequent stools, streaked with mucus and occasionally blood. Pain on defecation is not noted. 3. Generally resolves quickly with the use of Pepto Bismol dosed at . 50cc/kg BID for 7 to 10 days. M. Gastric ulcers 1. Another suspected Camplobacter sp. disease. 2. Signs are vague with lethargy, anorexia, hypersalivation (indicating nausea), tooth grinding, halitosis and melena. 3. Diagnosis is difficult, attempt endioscopy, exploratory, or barium series. 4. Treatment is with cimetadine at 50mg/kg TID, carafate 0.5g/20kg TID, antibiotics (chloramphenicol or amoxicillan) and Pepto Bismol 025ml/kg q 4 -6 hours. XIII. MISCELLANEOUS DISEASES A. GI foreign bodies 1. This is an extremely common problem. In animals under 1 year of age the most common cause is ingested foreign bodies; in ferrets 3 years and older, hairballs are the most common cause. 2. Signs are variable from acute onset with severe depression, dehydration, absence of stools with or without vomiting, to a gradual wasting process with intermittent dark, tarry stools and variable appetite. Vomiting id usually not seen with chronic gastric FB. Gastric ulcers are not uncommon with the chronic form, with can lead to severe anemia from bleeding. (ulcers are common at the pyloric area) 3. Diagnosis is by palpation of gas and fluid in the stomach and or intestines in the acute form. Radiography will also reveal these disorders. The chronic form is more difficult to diagnose and may be found through palpation, barium series or exploratory.
