The FerretThe Ferret
Mustela putorius furoMustela putorius furo
TerminologyTerminology
Jill/spriteJill/sprite Hob/gibHob/gib Kit/kindlingKit/kindling
TPRTPR
Temperature- 100-104Temperature- 100-104 Pulse- 180-250 bpmPulse- 180-250 bpm Respiratory- 25-30 breaths per minuteRespiratory- 25-30 breaths per minute Gestation- 42 daysGestation- 42 days
Unique AnatomyUnique Anatomy
Sebaceous glands produce odorSebaceous glands produce odor Anal sac removal and neuteringAnal sac removal and neutering
Heart located somewhat caudal of other Heart located somewhat caudal of other speciesspecies
Unusual gaitUnusual gait
ReproductionReproduction
Seasonal breeders- day length over 12 Seasonal breeders- day length over 12 hrshrs
Induced ovulationInduced ovulation Mothers with babies can be aggressiveMothers with babies can be aggressive Males in season may fightMales in season may fight Most all ferrets in US are neutered at a Most all ferrets in US are neutered at a
young ageyoung age
DietDiet
Obligate carnivoresObligate carnivores Raw meatsRaw meats Commercial dietsCommercial diets
WeaponsWeapons
TeethTeeth Toenails, not retractable Toenails, not retractable Rarely bite unless very distressed, Rarely bite unless very distressed,
however if they do, they may not let go. however if they do, they may not let go. Hold under running water to get them to Hold under running water to get them to release.release.
May hiss to warn before biting.May hiss to warn before biting.
RestraintRestraint
““Flexible” Flexible” Pick up by supporting chest area and Pick up by supporting chest area and
hindquartershindquarters Scruff, support rear, hold above tableScruff, support rear, hold above table Lay along arm/stretchLay along arm/stretch Distraction by feedingDistraction by feeding Burrito Burrito Watch for hyperthermiaWatch for hyperthermia Your pocket Your pocket
VenipunctureVenipuncture
Hold head in hand with thumb and Hold head in hand with thumb and forefinger on mandibleforefinger on mandible
Lateral saphenous or cephalic for 1mlLateral saphenous or cephalic for 1ml
Larger volumes:Larger volumes: Jugular (can be difficult); restraint requires Jugular (can be difficult); restraint requires
two handlerstwo handlers Anterior vena cava (under anesthesia)Anterior vena cava (under anesthesia)
HusbandryHusbandry
Predators- CarnivoresPredators- Carnivores Housemates- dogs and catsHousemates- dogs and cats rabbits and rodentsrabbits and rodents Cages large enough to stretch- free time in Cages large enough to stretch- free time in ferretferret
proofedproofed house house Will use litter boxesWill use litter boxes Sleeping enclosure/blanketsSleeping enclosure/blankets Feed ferret kibbles free choiceFeed ferret kibbles free choice Water in bottlesWater in bottles Neutered animals can live in coloniesNeutered animals can live in colonies LegalitiesLegalities
Common ProceduresCommon Procedures
Ear cleaningEar cleaning Nail trimsNail trims BathsBaths
MedicatingMedicating
PO- best in liquid- do not scruff as cannot PO- best in liquid- do not scruff as cannot swallowswallow
SQ- scruffSQ- scruff IM- quads and semimembranousIM- quads and semimembranous IPIP IV- cephalic, saphenous, jugularIV- cephalic, saphenous, jugular
ParasitesParasites
HeartwormHeartworm Fleas-Ctenocephalides felisFleas-Ctenocephalides felis Ear mites- Otodectes cynotisEar mites- Otodectes cynotis Gastrointestinal- rare except for coccidiaGastrointestinal- rare except for coccidia
ZoonosesZoonoses
Influenza- transmitted between humans Influenza- transmitted between humans and ferretsand ferrets
Do not work with ferrets if you have any Do not work with ferrets if you have any flu symptoms and counsel clients to take flu symptoms and counsel clients to take similar precautionssimilar precautions
Most will recover in 5-10 days without Most will recover in 5-10 days without treatmenttreatment
DiseaseDisease
Canine distemperCanine distemper Differentiate from influenzaDifferentiate from influenza Nearly always fatal without vaccinationsNearly always fatal without vaccinations Must use ferret approved vaccineMust use ferret approved vaccine
Disease Disease
Persistent estrus- causes estrogen toxicity Persistent estrus- causes estrogen toxicity AlopeciaAlopecia LethargyLethargy Dyspnea Dyspnea Vomiting and diarrheaVomiting and diarrhea Vulvar swellingVulvar swelling PetechiaPetechia Bone marrow suppression and deathBone marrow suppression and death
DiseaseDisease
HyperadrenocorticismHyperadrenocorticism Adrenal tumorsAdrenal tumors AlopeciaAlopecia Vulvar swelling/ increased agitation while Vulvar swelling/ increased agitation while
urinatingurinating Increased aggressionIncreased aggression Related to neutering?Related to neutering? TX: adrenalectomy, melatonin implants, TX: adrenalectomy, melatonin implants,
hormone therapyhormone therapy
DiseaseDisease
Insulinoma (cancer of the pancreas)Insulinoma (cancer of the pancreas) Lethargy, seizures, ultimately deathLethargy, seizures, ultimately death TX: surgical excision of cancerous lobes, TX: surgical excision of cancerous lobes,
steroidssteroids Congestive cardiomyopathyCongestive cardiomyopathy
LymphomaLymphoma Juvenile Juvenile AdultAdult
VaccinesVaccines
Canine DistemperCanine Distemper RabiesRabies
approved rabies vaccine for ferrets is Imrab 3 approved rabies vaccine for ferrets is Imrab 3 (Merial). (Merial).
ReferencesReferences
Clinical Textbook For Veterinary Clinical Textbook For Veterinary Technicians by McCurnin and BassertTechnicians by McCurnin and Bassert
BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets by Meredith BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets by Meredith and Redrobeand Redrobe
Principles and Practices For Veterinary Principles and Practices For Veterinary Technicians by SiroisTechnicians by Sirois
ALAT Training Manual by AALASALAT Training Manual by AALAS Laboratory Animal Medicine by Sirois Laboratory Animal Medicine by Sirois
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