282 page FERRET ANATOMY DISEASE & CARE Presentation CD

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TITLE:

Biology, Husbandry, and Uses, 2005, 282 pages (slides)

SLIDE TOPICS, SUBTOPICS and CONTENTS:

FERRETS Biology, Husbandry, & Uses MAJ Patty Chen WRAIR 16 NOV ‘05 OUTLINE Introduction Biology Physiology Care Diseases Models Current literature Quiz INTRODUCTION Ferrets are a secondary species per ACLAM species delineation Weight 20 +/- 5% Yes, they do smell even when they are “descented” Don’t have them at WRAIR BIOLOGY TAXONOMY Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus: Mustela Species: putorius (European polecat or finch) putorius furo (domestic ferret) putorius nigripes (N. American black-footed) TERMINOLOGY Female - Jill Spayed female – Sprite Male - Hob Castrated male - Gib Baby ferrets - Kits BIOLOGY USES Rodent control Hunting Ferret-legging Pets Fur production IN RESEARCH Influenza virology Pediatric endotracheal intubation training Replaced cats in neuroendocrinology, neuroanatomy, cardiology experiments BIOLOGY Males are larger than females (1100g vs 780g) Variety of hair colors ie. Albino, sable/fitch, siamese, silver mitt, siamese-silver mitt Vertebral formula C7, T14, L6, S3, Cd14-18 Dental formula I3/3 C1/1 Pm3-4/3 M1/2 BIOLOGY 2N = 40 Short GI tract (carnivore) Induced ovulators Zonal (discoid) endotheliochorial placentation Estrus – vulvular swelling BIOLOGY Unique traits Innomate artery: paired common carotid arteries arise from the brachiocephalic trunk (like cats & dogs) No cecum Normal sebaceous secretion produces musky odor Lack well-developed sweat glands, heat prostration at 32º C (90º F) Os penis/baculum lies dorsal to the urethra – can be used for aging Prostate gland in males PHYSIOLOGY Ferret ventricular traeculae and papillary muscles are the “most experimentally durable” source of homogenous cardiac muscle tissue for in vitro studies Marked pulmonary vasoconstriction in response to hypoxia – human model Sneezing during anesthesia GI transit time about 3 hours PHYSIOLOGY Esophagus – all striated muscle Vomiting response is used to test novel antiemetic agents Nervous system is studied extensively Urinalysis – false positive for ketones CARE Nutrition Not able to digest much fiber Ad lib feeding generally do not cause obesity Require high fat and protein Raw meats discouraged (contamination) Milk, eggs, and liver are good supplements CARE Housing Not specifically addressed in the AWA or The Guide Optimum temperature 40°-65° F Tolerate cold better than heat Ventilation 10-15 air changes/hr Musky scent (people and rodents) Disease prevention (viral resp infcn) CARE Caging Not mentioned in AWA or The Guide No openings ≥ ferret skull – prevent escape Single house males – tendency to fight Sanitation Will defecate in one corner CARE Restraint Two handed One handed Held in either manner simple procedures like nail trimming or ear cleaning can be performed. CARE 2 handed restraint– grasp just behind the front legs with one hand and support the hind legs with the other hand. CARE 1 handed restraint– grasp by the loose skin at the back of the neck, in this position they usually become very quiet and start to yawn. Yawn reflex GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT Gestation 42 days Birth weight 6-12 g Wean 6-8 weeks Sexual maturity 8-12 months Average life span 5-6 years PREVENTIVE MEDICINE Quarantine Minimum 2 weeks Immunizations Canine distemper (killed virus), rabies (ferret approved), parvovirus, B. bronchiseptica Ovariohysterectomy 4-6 weeks old Castration 4-8 weeks old Decrease odor DISEASES DISEASES Hyperestrogenism Induced ovulators, persistent estrus Bone marrow hypoplasia from chronic estrogen exposure Clinical signs Valvular swelling, bilateral symetrical alopecia, weight loss, anemia, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy DISEASE Treatment of hyperestrogenism Terminate estrus with symptomatic support 50-100IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or 20 µg gonadotropin-releasin hormon (GnRH) DISEASES Anemia Estrus-induced bone marrow depression Prolonged estrus in unbred females DISEASE Pyometra Common fecal & oral organisms Poor sanitation Aggressive hobs Progesterone administration Hyperestrogenism Clinical signs Depression, diarrhea, anorexia Treatment Antibiotics & spay DISEASES Proliferative bowel disease Lawsonia intracellularis Typically involves lg bowel Chronic diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss DISEASES Proliferative bowel disease Thickened colon Mucosal proliferation Intraceytoplasmic L intracellularis with silver stain at apical portion of epithelial cells DISEASES Helicobacter mustelae Spiral, helix shaped bacteria Only domesticated animal with naturally occurring Helicobacter-associated ulcer disease DISEASES Helicobacter mustelae Every ferret with chronic gastritis is infected with H. mustelae Asymptomatic or typical ulcer symptoms Surface of crypts Silver stain DISEASES Aleutian Disease Parvovirus Common mink virus Symptomatic or progressive posterior paralysis Hypergammaglobulinemia Euthanize DISEASES Canine distemper Paramyxoviridae Morbillivirus Most serious viral infection of ferrets – mortality approaches 100% DISEASES Canine distemper Catarrhal phase Neurologic/CNS phase DISEASES Canine distemper Skin rash, hyperkeratic foot pad, pneumonia, gastric ulcer & tarry feces DISEASES Canine distemper DISEASES Infuenza Orthomyxoviridae Zoonotic potential Influenza A & B, natural infection Typical clinical signs DISEASES Rabies Rhabdovirus Anxiety, lethargy, & posterior paresis Vaccinate 3 months, 1 year, & annually Modified live vaccine is not recommended DISEASES Adrenal associated endrocrinopathy Adrenocortical cell tumor 2nd most common type of neoplasia Adrenal gland nodular hyperplasia Bilateral alopecia PO, PD Left adrenal most common DISEASES Adrenal tumors Not “cushing’s” Don’t have excess cortisone & atrophy Do have excessive sex sterpoids TX: Adrenalectomy DISEASES Insulinoma Most common neoplasm Functional tumors of the Islets of Langerhan Chronic hypoglycemia DISEASES Insulinoma Medical management Insulin antagonists Surgical management Nodalectomy & partial pancreatectomy Guarded prognosis DISEASES Insulinoma & concurrent adrenal disease DISEASES Chordomas Not epithelial tumors Firm masses on the tail Amputation MISCELLANEOUS Eosinophilic gastroenteritic, idiopathic disorder Splendore-Hoeppli material in inflamed lymph nodes MODELS MODELS MODELS Canine distemper MODELS Influenza MODELS Reyes Syndrome Arginine-free diets to young ferrets Challenge with infuenza virus and administer aspirin MODELS PRIONS Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy Chronic Wasting Disease MODELS Chrodoma 3 types in humans Classic Chondroid Chordoma In ferrets, used to study development, biologic behavior, and treatment MODELS Pediatric Endotracheal Intubation Training Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course Respiratory difficulties are no. 1 cause of cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalized children PALS COURSE Chronic use ferret (recovered): Maximum of 5 intubation attempts Attempt = tube contact w/ vocal folds Allowed 6 week recovery Acute use ferret (non-recovered): Maximum of 20 intubation attempts Not permitted to recover Euthanized while maintained under general anesthesia Tracheal Intubation Set-up Tracheal Intubation Laboratory Tracheal Intubation Recovery MODELS Helicobacter mustelae Human disease – Helicobacter pylori CURRENT LITERATURE QUIZ Splendore-Hoepple phenomemon What is the most serious viral infection of ferrets? Canine distemper What is the most common neoplasm diagnosed in ferrets? Functional pancreatic islet cell tumors or insulinomas What is the 2nd most common type of neoplasm in ferrets? Adrenocortical cell tumor Young ferret + arginine free diet + influenza virus + aspirin = what Reye’s syndrome chordoma Neoplastic ovarian tissue What is the genus and species of the European polecat? Mustela putorius What is the only small-animal model that develops a febrile response to naturally occurring influenza A? Ferret ACLAM American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine THANK YOU ??? QUESTIONS ???