home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!dreaderd!not-for-mail
- Message-ID: <pets/ferret-faq/part5_1082200966@rtfm.mit.edu>
- Supersedes: <pets/ferret-faq/part5_1079601013@rtfm.mit.edu>
- Expires: 31 May 2004 11:22:46 GMT
- References: <pets/ferret-faq/part1_1082200966@rtfm.mit.edu>
- X-Last-Updated: 2002/06/20
- Organization: none
- Newsgroups: rec.pets.ferrets,rec.answers,news.answers
- Subject: Ferret FAQ [5/5] - Medical Overview
- Followup-To: rec.pets.ferrets
- From: pamg@SPAMalumniSTOP.rice.edu (Pamela Greene)
- Reply-To: pamg@SPAMalumniSTOP.rice.edu (Pamela Greene)
- Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu, rpf_moderators
- Distribution: world
- Summary: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and general information
- about pet domestic ferrets. Should be helpful to both
- prospective and current ferret owners.
- Part V - overview of medical tests and problems, recovery, references
- Keywords: faq pet ferrets medical overview recovery disease sick cancer
- X-URL: http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/
- X-Disclaimer: Approval for posting to *.answers is based on form, not
- content.
- Originator: faqserv@penguin-lust.MIT.EDU
- Date: 17 Apr 2004 11:29:00 GMT
- Lines: 1084
- NNTP-Posting-Host: penguin-lust.mit.edu
- X-Trace: 1082201340 senator-bedfellow.mit.edu 576 18.181.0.29
- Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu rec.pets.ferrets:2271 rec.answers:86656 news.answers:270054
-
- Archive-name: pets/ferret-faq/part5
- Last-modified: 19 Jan 1998
- Posting-Frequency: monthly (around the 20th)
- Version: 4.0
- URL: http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/
-
- FERRET FAQ (part 5 of 5) -- MEDICAL OVERVIEW
- Compiled and edited by Pamela Greene <pamg@alumni.rice.edu>
- Additions, corrections, and suggestions for this file are welcomed!
-
- This document is copyright 1994-1998 by Pamela L. Greene. See section
- 0.5 (in Part 1, About Ferrets and This FAQ) for authorship information
- and redistribution rights. In short, you can give it away, but you
- can't charge for it or include it in any for-profit work without
- permission.
-
- The basic Ferret FAQ has five parts, all of which should be available
- wherever you obtained this one. Most people will want to look at
- parts 1 through 4, and perhaps skim part 5. A complete table of
- contents for all five files is given in Part 1. Please at least read
- section 0 in Part 1, About this FAQ. In addition, there are separate
- FAQ's for several common ferret diseases. Information about those is
- given in section [1.1].
-
- Please note: I am not a ferret expert, and I did not write, nor did I
- independently verify, all the information in this file. I have done
- my best to include only accurate and useful information, but I cannot
- guarantee that what is contained in this file, whether written by me
- or by one of the contributors, is correct, or even that following the
- advice herein won't be harmful to you or your ferret in some way. For
- advice from an expert, you may wish to consult one of several books
- available, or, especially in the case of a suspected medical problem,
- a veterinarian who is familiar with the treatment of ferrets.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: CONTENTS OF THIS FILE
-
- Part 5: MEDICAL OVERVIEW
-
- 11. *** Common health problems ***
-
- (11.1) Common diseases in ferrets
- (11.2) Overview of common health problems
- (11.2.1) Noninfectious
- (11.2.2) Parasitic health problems
- (11.2.3) Infectious diseases
- (11.2.4) Neoplasia (Cancer)
-
- 12. *** General medical information ***
-
- (12.1) Do I need to worry about toxoplasmosis?
- (12.2) How can I get my ferret to take this medication?
- (12.3) Where can I get medications at a discount?
- (12.4) Can ferrets have transfusions?
- (12.5) What anesthetic should my vet be using?
- (12.6) How do I care for my sick or recovering ferret?
- (12.7) My ferret won't eat. What should I do?
- (12.8) What's Duck Soup? Anyone have a recipe?
- (12.9) What are normal body temperature, blood test results, etc.?
- (12.10) What tests might my vet want to run, and why?
-
- 13. *** Medical reference material ***
-
- (13.1) Who makes this product or medication?
- (13.2) What books can I get or recommend to my vet?
- (13.3) Are there any other useful references?
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
- 11. *** Common health problems ***
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (11.1) Common diseases in ferrets
-
- Once again, I'm not a vet or even a ferret expert, but here's a list
- of several of the most common medical problems in ferrets.
-
- Intestinal blockages
- Caused by eating something indigestible, such as an eraser, a
- rubber band, some fabrics, or even a good-sized hairball
- (accumulated from grooming), which gets stuck. Symptoms may
- include (one or more of) lack of bowel movement, constipation,
- bloating, vomiting or heaving, drooling, and others. Blockages may
- occur at any point in the digestive tract, from the throat through
- the lower intestine, even in the stomach where the object may move
- around and produce only intermittent symptoms. Blockages are
- serious and occasionally fatal; the most important immediate
- concern is to keep your ferret hydrated, which you can do by giving
- him 5 cc of water every 4 hours from a baby feeding syringe. You
- can try giving your ferret large doses of hairball remedy every 30
- minutes for an hour or two to see if the blockage passes, but if
- not, take him to a vet right away for an X-ray, barium study,
- and/or surgery to remove it. Laxatone or a similar hairball
- remedy/laxative can help prevent this [6.2].
-
- Tumors or lesions of the adrenal glands
- Symptoms vary, including hair loss spreading from the base of the
- tail forward [10.6], lethargy, loss of appetite, and loss of
- coordination in the hindquarters. In females, often the most
- prominent sign is an enlarged vulva as in heat. Often, however, a
- tumor will be present without showing any signs at all, so if your
- ferret is going in for any surgery, the vet should take a look at
- the adrenal glands as well (if time permits -- ferrets lose body
- heat very quickly in surgery). The left gland seems to be affected
- more often than the right. More information is available in the
- Ferret Medical FAQ on Adrenal Disease [1.1].
-
- Islet cell tumors (insulinoma)
- These are tumors of insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas. Their
- main effect is a drop in the blood sugar level, and they are also
- common enough in older ferrets, even without symptoms, that if your
- pet is having surgery for something else, a quick check is
- worthwhile. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, wobbly
- gait, and pawing at the mouth; in more severe cases attention
- lapses (staring into space) or seizures may also occur. If you're
- more than a minute from your vet and your ferret has a low enough
- blood sugar level to be having seizures, call the vet and ask if
- you should rub Karo (corn sugar) syrup or honey on your pet's gums
- to raise it just enough to bring him out of the seizure. More
- information is available in the Ferret Medical FAQ on Insulinoma
- [1.1].
-
- Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma
- This is a cancer of the lymphatic system. There are two main
- types, "classic" and juvenile. Classic lymphoma occurs in older
- ferrets and causes enlarged lymph nodes and irregularities in the
- blood cell count, but often the ferret doesn't show any outward
- signs until the disease has progressed pretty far, at which point
- the ferret suddenly gets very sick. Conclusive diagnosis is by
- aspiration or biopsy of a lymph node, and treatment is
- chemotherapy. Juvenile lymphoma is completely different. It
- affects ferrets under 14 months, doesn't generally cause
- enlarged lymph nodes, and hits very hard and fast. Also see
- the Ferret Medical FAQ on Lymphosarcoma [1.1].
-
- Splenomegaly [enlarged spleen, usually a swelling in the upper abdomen]
- In situations where a neoplasm is not present [this is a common
- symptom of lymphosarcoma], the pros and cons of splenectomy should
- be discussed with your veterinarian. If an animal simply has a
- large spleen, but shows no signs of illness or discomfort, it is
- safer for the animal to leave it in. However, if the animal shows
- signs of discomfort, such as lethargy and a poor appetite, or a
- decrease in activity, the spleen should probably be removed. These
- animals also need good nursing care [12.6] care to get them back on
- their food. Often caused by H. mustelae infection (see below).
- With proper care - recovery rates are over 90%. Also see the
- Ferret Medical FAQ on Splenomegaly [1.1].
-
- Helicobacter mustelae infection
- A bacterial infection of the stomach lining, Helicobacter
- mustelae is extremely common in ferrets. Animals with
- long-standing infections (generally older animals), may develop
- gastric problems due to the bacteria's ability to decrease acid
- production in the stomach. Signs of a problem include repetitive
- vomiting, lack of appetite, and signs of gastric ulcers (see
- above). Helicobacter infection and gastric ulcers often go hand in
- hand - the relationship between infection and gastric ulcer
- formation has not been totally worked out, although there is
- currently a lot of research in this area. Also see the
- Ferret Medical FAQ on Gastric Ulcers / Helicobacter mustelae [1.1].
-
- Cutaneous vaccine reactions
- Subcutaneous vaccination with rabies or other vaccines may, over
- a period of weeks, cause a hard lump [10.1] at the site of
- vaccination. The lump simply consists of a large area of
- inflammation and most commonly are seen around the neck. The lumps
- can be removed, and generally do not cause a major problem for your
- pet. Similar lesions may be seen in vaccinated dogs and cats.
-
- Urinary tract infections and prostate trouble
- Signs include frequent urination, straining to urinate, and
- possibly funny-looking or smelly urine. Un-spayed females in heat,
- and spayed females with swollen vulvas due to adrenal disease
- [1.1], are particularly prone to UTIs. Treatment generally
- consists of a course of antibiotic (usually Amoxicillin); if the
- ferret doesn't respond to that, the possibility of bladder stones
- [11.2.1] should be considered.
-
- In males, what looks like a UTI may be (or be aggravated by) an
- inflamed prostate, also generally caused by adrenal disease. In
- this case the prostate, which is normally tiny, can be palpated,
- and a greenish goo can often be expressed from it. Taking care of
- the adrenal problem should clear up the prostate trouble too.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (11.2) Overview of common health problems
-
- All of this section was written by Susan A. Brown, DVM.
-
- Most common health problems of the pet ferret
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (11.2.1) Noninfectious
-
- by Dr. Susan Brown, DVM
-
- A. GI Foreign Bodies [11.1]
-
- This is the MOST COMMON cause of wasting and acute abdominal
- disease in the ferret under 1 year of age. It occurs with less
- frequency in older ferrets.
- Ferrets love to chew and eat rubber and "sweaty" objects. The
- most common foreign bodies we remove are latex rubber pet toys,
- foam rubber, insoles and soles of shoes, pipe insulation, chair
- foot protectors, along with towels, cotton balls, plastic, metal,
- and wood.
- Hair balls are VERY COMMON particularly in the ferret 2 years
- of age and older.
- Most foreign bodies remain in the stomach if they are too large
- to pass and cause a slow wasting disease that may last for months.
- (This is the way that most hairballs present.) However, if the
- foreign material passes out of the stomach and lodges in the small
- intestine, then the pet becomes acutely ill, severely depressed,
- dehydrated, in extreme abdominal pain and finally coma and death
- within 24 to 48 hours if surgery is not performed.
- Other signs that your pet may have a foreign body are pawing at
- the mouth frequently, vomiting (although remember that many pets
- with foreign bodies do not vomit), appetite that goes on and off,
- black tarry stools that come and go.
- Prevention is by use of a cat hairball laxative [6.2] either every
- day or every other day (about 1") and ferret proofing [5.1] your
- house on hands and knees for potential foreign body items.
- Treatment is generally surgery, because if it is too large to
- leave the stomach, it has to come out somehow!
-
- B. Aplastic Anemia
-
- A common cause of death of unspayed breeding females.
- The cause is a condition caused by high levels of the hormone
- estrogen that is produced during the heat period which in turn
- suppresses the production of vital red and white blood cells in the
- bone marrow. This suppression is irreversible as the disease
- advances and death occurs from severe anemia, bleeding (because the
- blood can't clot properly), and secondary bacterial infections
- because there aren't enough white blood cells to fight.
- Signs are seen in animals in heat 1 month or longer (they can
- stay in heat up to 180 days if unbred), and include general
- depression and hind limb weakness that seems to occur suddenly and
- sudden loss of appetite. Additionally there may be marked hair
- loss and baldness on the body.
- Upon closer exam the gums appear light pink or white, and there
- may be small hemorrhages under the skin. A complete blood count
- should be done to determine the severity of the damage to the bone
- marrow.
- If the condition is advanced, there is no treatment as it is
- irreversible, and euthanasia is recommended. If the disease is
- caught early, treatment may include a spay, multiple transfusions
- [12.4] and other supportive care.
- Prevention is by having animals not designated for breeding
- spayed by 6 months of age. Those to be used for breeding should
- use the hormone HCG for taking them out of heat during cycles when
- they will not be bred. The use of vasectomized males can sometimes
- be unreliable, and we do not recommend it.
-
- C. Anal Gland Impaction
-
- Caused when the animal has a blockage to the outflow of anal
- gland secretion or abnormally thick anal gland material.
- Signs are few, doesn't seem to cause them much pain. If the
- gland ruptures, a draining hole will be seen near the anus, and the
- pet may lick at the area frequently.
- Treatment is by surgical removal of the anal glands. Even if
- only one is affected now, remove both as the other may become
- affected later.
- There is no prevention, and this disease does not occur with
- sufficient frequency to warrant routine anal gland removal in all
- ferrets.
-
- D. Cataracts
-
- Caused when the lens of the eye becomes opaque. Light can no
- longer reach the retina and the animal becomes blind. In ferrets
- it is primarily seen in animals under one year of age and is
- considered to be hereditary. In other cases it may be caused by
- aging of the eye in very old animals or as a result of injury to
- the eye.
- Signs are almost nonexistent. Ferrets have very poor eyesight
- and do not depend on it for much. Many people are surprised to
- find that their ferrets are blind. They eyes will have a whitish
- blue cast to the area of the pupil.
- Treatment is unnecessary.
- Prevention of hereditary cataracts is by not repeating the
- breeding.
-
- E. Cardiomyopathy
- There is a separate FAQ devoted to cardiomyopathy; see section [1.1].
-
- Seen generally in animals over 3 years of age, rare in young.
- Caused by an abnormal thinning or thickening of the heart muscle
- which interferes with blood flow through the heart.
- Signs include a marked decrease in activity, the need to rest
- in the middle of the play periods, great difficulty in awakening
- from sleep, and as the disease progresses one may see coughing,
- difficulty breathing, fluid build-up in the abdomen and a general
- loss of condition.
- Diagnosis is by x-ray and EKG.
- Treatment is dependent on which type of heart muscle
- abnormality is present. There is no cure for this disease,
- treatment helps to alleviate symptoms and reduce he work load on
- the heart and attempt to prolong life.
-
- F. Urolithiasis (Bladder Stones)
-
- The cause is not completely understood. A high ash content of
- the diet and possible underlying bacterial or viral infections, and
- even some genetic predisposition may all play a part. This
- condition is rarely seen in animals on a low ash cat food.
- Signs include blood in the urine, difficulty in urinating (may
- be accompanied by crying when urinating), "sandy" material being
- passed in the urine, and in the most severe cases there may be a
- complete blockage leading to no urine being passed and eventual
- depression, coma and death.
- Treatment depends on the size of the stones. Surgery may be
- indicated or a change to a special diet may solve the problem.
- Prevention is by feeding a low ash diet.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (11.2.2) Parasitic health problems
-
- by Dr. Susan Brown, DVM
-
- A. Ear Mites [10.10]
-
- Caused by a small mite that lives in the ear and sucks blood
- and is picked up from other animals with mites (including dogs and
- cats).
- Signs are very minimal to none. Ferrets seem to tolerate mites
- very well. Occasionally there may be an excessive amount of ear
- wax produced, extensive scratching of the ears, and small black
- pigmented areas that appear on the ear.
- Treatment is with Ivermectin at 1 mg/kg divided into two doses
- with each dose dropped into each ear. This is repeated in two
- weeks. All the animals in the house should be treated. Wash
- bedding the same day as treatment and a bath for the pet wouldn't
- hurt, either. They also may be treated with Tresaderm daily for 14
- days.
-
- B. Fleas [10.9]
-
- Caused by an insect that spends a small portion of its life on
- the animal and lives in the surrounding environment laying eggs the
- rest of the time.
- Prevented by spraying or powdering your animals 2 times a week
- with a pyrethrin product if they go outside. If you already have
- them, the house must be treated also.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (11.2.3) Infectious diseases
-
- by Dr. Susan Brown, DVM
-
- A. Influenza virus
-
- Caused by the same complex of viruses that cause disease in
- humans. They can catch it from humans or other ferrets.
- Signs include a runny nose (clear discharge), runny eyes,
- sneezing, coughing, decrease but not total loss in appetite,
- lethargy and occasionally diarrhea. In newborns it may be fatal.
- Treatments is generally nothing specific except rest and loving
- care. They generally get over it in 3 to 7 days (recall how long
- your flu lasted, and they will generally be the same), The
- antihistamine product Chlor Trimeton may be used at 1/4 tablet 2
- times daily for sneezing that may interfere with sleeping or
- eating. If the appetite is totally lost or if any green or yellow
- discharges appear or if there is extreme lethargy, these animals
- should be seen by a veterinarian.
- Prevention is washing hands and no kissing when you are dealing
- with a cold. Also remember, they can give the flu right back to
- you!
-
- B. Canine Distemper
-
- A 100% fatal disease that is still very much out there! It is
- caused by a virus that attacks many organs in the body. The virus
- can stay alive for a long time on shoes and clothes that have come
- in contact with infected material. (Such as from walks in parks or
- other areas where animals roam).
- Signs range from acute [quick] death to a slow progressive
- disease which usually starts as an eye infection and progresses to
- a rash on the chin and lips and abdomen, and thickened hard pads on
- the feet. Diarrhea, vomiting, severe lethargy are other possible
- signs. The disease may be very drawn out with seizures and coma at
- the end.
- There is no treatment for distemper. Euthanasia is the kindest
- solution as it is a long and painful way to go.
- Prevention is by vaccination with the Fromm-D [or Fervac-D]
- distemper vaccine [9.2]. Use of [some] other vaccines have
- occasionally caused cases of distemper in ferrets. The schedule
- would be the first shot at 6 weeks of age then 8 weeks, 11 weeks,
- 14 weeks and annually thereafter. The vaccine WILL NOT last for 3
- years in the face of an outbreak. Ferrets do not need vaccines
- containing leptospirosis, hepatitis, parainfluenza or any other dog
- virus.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (11.2.4) Neoplasia (Cancer)
-
- by Dr. Susan Brown, DVM
-
- Each of these four cancers has its own FAQ; see section [1.1].
-
- A. Lymphosarcoma
-
- This is a disease of the lymphatic system of the body which is
- an important part of the immune system. The cause is unknown but
- investigation is being done to determine if there is a virus
- involved. It can occur in ferrets of any age.
- Signs are very variable, and many animals show no outward signs
- until they are very ill, or changes are picked up on a routine
- veterinary exam. Changes may include enlarged lymph nodes anywhere
- in or on the body, a greatly enlarged spleen, wasting, difficulty
- breathing, and extreme lethargy. A complete blood cell count may
- indicate abnormal (cancerous) cells present, although this occurs
- in a very small percentage of cases.
- Diagnosis is generally by biopsy of a lymph node, spleen or
- fluid from the chest.
- Treatment is by chemotherapy of the animal fulfills certain
- criteria that would make it a good candidate, Chemotherapy has been
- successful in about 75% of our cases, allowing life to be prolonged
- in a quality way for 6 months to 2 years.
-
- B. Insulinoma
-
- This is a tumor of the pancreas leading to a high insulin
- production and a low blood sugar.
-
- C. Adrenal Adenoma or Adenocarcinoma
-
- This is a tumor of the adrenal gland.
-
- D. Skin tumors
-
- There are a variety of skin tumors occurring in the pet ferret.
- The most common are sebaceous gland adenomas, and mast cell tumors.
- Most of these should be removed particularly if they are ulcerated,
- bleeding, or have a rough surface.
- Chondromas occur with some frequency on the tip of the tail as
- a hard round lump. They are generally benign, but may become large
- and bothersome and can easily be removed.
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
- 12. *** General medical information ***
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.1) Do I need to worry about toxoplasmosis?
-
- Toxoplasmosis is a disease which is sometimes spread through animal
- feces, especially cats'. It's nothing to worry about, unless you're
- pregnant, have a very young child, or have a weakened immune system --
- it's very dangerous to a human fetus in the first stages of
- development, it may be dangerous to infants and toddlers, and it's a
- concern for those who are HIV+. Ask your doctor if you think you
- might be susceptible.
-
- Dr. Bruce Williams, DVM, says:
-
- Toxoplasmosis has been reported twice in ferrets. Ferrets will
- not shed the toxoplasma organism to the extent that cats do, but
- if they are exposed to cat feces, they may contract the disease
- and shed very low amounts of oocysts.
-
- Here's the bottom line. Because of the devastating effects that
- Toxoplasma can have on a developing human fetus in the first
- trimester - you don't want to take ANY chance at all on exposing
- [a pregnant woman] to Toxo. So [someone in the household who
- isn't pregnant] inherits all litterbox duties for the next
- nine months. Actually, she probably stands a higher chance of
- getting Toxo from poorly cooked beef. The doctor says - if she's
- a carnivore - better get used to well-done steaks....
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.2) How can I get my ferret to take this medication?
-
- If your ferret is just starting long-term medications and you're not
- looking forward to an hour-long struggle twice a day forever, take
- heart. Most of them resign themselves to the routine after a couple
- of weeks. If you only have to give your ferret medication for a week
- or two, at least there's an end in sight!
-
- The method Rick Beveridge has used, with pictures, can be found at
- <http://www.seaside.net/homepage/rbever/medication/medicate.html>.
-
- If you're really lucky, your ferret will like the taste of the
- medication. In that case, either hold the dropper in front of the
- ferret or empty it into a spoon and let him lick it. If you squeeze
- the medication into his mouth, be sure not to squirt it down his
- throat, since he may inhale some and get pneumonia. Putting the
- dropper behind his back teeth and aiming in from the side helps.
-
- If he doesn't like the medication, you'll want to mix it with
- something that tastes better, such as Ferretone, Petromalt, Pedialyte,
- or apple juice. Check with your vet to find out what won't interfere
- with the medication or its absorption. Some can't be given with oils,
- others with sugary foods, others with dairy products, and so on. You
- might be able to just mix the medication and the bribe on a spoon and
- get your ferret to lick it that way.
-
- If not, suck the medication into a small feeding syringe, the kind
- without a needle, draw in a few cc's of the bribe, and shake it to mix
- them. Put a big old towel on a table or the floor, put the ferret on
- it, and see if he'll lick the mixture willingly. Be warned, ferrets
- can spit several feet. Don't wear your nice clothes.
-
- If you have to force the mixture in, hold the ferret's head and
- shoulders with one hand so he can't back away. Put the syringe tip in
- on the side of his mouth and slowly squirt the stuff in, being careful
- not to aim it down his throat (or he might inhale some) and making
- sure to give the ferret enough time to swallow. You may need to hold
- the ferret's head up and his mouth closed, and rub his throat so he
- swallows. Once the medication is gone, give the ferret another small
- treat and tell him what a good ferret he was.
-
- Some people have good luck with crushing a pill or pill piece and
- mixing it with a liquid treat, after checking with a vet to see which
- ones are all right. Otherwise, try completely covering it with
- something gooey such as Petromalt or peanut butter, then holding it on
- the tip of one finger. Gently pry the ferret's mouth open with a
- finger on one side, and scrape the goo and treat onto the ferret's
- tongue. Get it pretty far back if you can, but don't gag him. Hold
- his mouth closed so he can't push the pill out with his tongue, and
- rub his throat to get him to swallow. If he manages to spit out the
- pill, just keep trying.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.3) Where can I get medications at a discount?
-
- A fairly new company called PetMed Express offers common veterinary
- medications at a discount. Flea treatments, prednisone, and so on are
- available. The require a faxed prescription or the phone number of
- your vet's office so they can call for the prescription information.
- Call 1-888-233-PETS for information.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.4) Can ferrets have transfusions?
-
- Yes. Ferrets have no apparent blood types, so if your ferret needs a
- transfusion any other ferret can be a donor -- the bigger, the better.
- Dr. Susan Brown writes, "Approximately 20 ml of whole blood can be
- removed by cardiac puncture from a healthy male ferret weighing 1 kg
- [2.2 lb] with no side effects; it can then be used immediately for
- transfusing. 12 cc may be removed from a female weighing .75 kg [1.6
- lb]."
-
- If your ferret is going in for extensive surgery, ask your vet whether
- it might be a good idea to also bring along a big, healthy ferret as a
- potential blood donor, just in case it's needed.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.5) What anesthetic should my vet be using?
-
- Isoflurane, an inhalant. Dr. Bruce Williams, DVM, says:
-
- The only acceptable type of anesthetic agent for general
- anesthesia in the ferret is gas, and preferably a gas anesthetic
- called isoflurane. Most vets use it, but other types of gas
- anesthetics, such as halothane are still in use. Isoflurane
- currently is the safest, with the least chance of generating a
- life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia or causing liver disease, both
- of which may be seen (rarely) with halothane. Most
- ferrets, even with severe disease, will go down quickly with
- isoflurane, and come up within 5-10 minutes. No other
- premedications are necessary [unlike for the injectable ketamine].
-
- I would not use a vet who used injectable anesthetic for surgery -
- chances are much higher for overdosing. The effects of injectable
- anesthetics are extremely unpredictable in the ferret, and older
- ferrets are at risk for arrhythmia and cardiovascular shock.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.6) How do I care for my sick or recovering ferret?
-
- The following information comes from Sukie Crandall, who generously
- sent an account of her experiences with Meltdown and Ruffle, two of
- her ferrets with heart disease.
-
- At first, your sick or recovering ferret will be a big drain on your
- time, energy, and humor. It's amazing how stubborn a sick ferret can
- be. If you're unfortunate enough to have a chronically ill ferret,
- you may find that she becomes easier to deal with after a while, as
- you both get used to her new routine and limitations.
-
- You may have an assortment of medications for your ferret, whose
- schedule and doses might change according to her health. It's very
- important to keep a complete and accurate chart. Note how and when
- medicines must be given, and whenever you give medicines write them
- down and note the time. Keep information on side effects, when to
- skip doses, how to deal with missed doses or accidently doubled doses,
- which medicines should not be given close together, which must be
- shielded form light, and all other related information. Do not keep
- medications in a room which gets too hot, too cold, or too humid.
- Never give a laxative close to when you give a medicine. Be aware of
- side-effects and interactions; for instance, some medicines increase
- the chance of sunburn.
-
- Pill cutters work much better than scalpels or other things, and a
- tweezers will also be handy. Keep in mind how different medicines
- must be given, and find the best way for each to minimize the stress
- to you and your ferret. Some must be given in ways which minimize the
- exposure to water or saliva. They are most easily given with a narrow
- pill gun such as your vet will probably carry, or mixed with a fatty
- gel like Nutrical. Liquids are pretty straight forward, but some
- ferrets get good at bring those up or spitting them out. If your vet
- or the manufacturer's research pharmacists say they may be given with
- fats try putting some Linatone or Nutrical on the ferret's nose and
- while she is licking that off squirting in the dose at the posterior
- side of the mouth. (Do not use a laxative such as Petromalt for
- these.)
-
- You may need to cut down the sides of a litter pan for easy access,
- and folded towels can be used to make gentle ramps. For recovering
- ferret who is ready for play but isn't quite up to speed yet, put
- extra ramps, pillows, and climbing boxes around the room she'll be
- playing in, to make it easier for her to get into and out of boxes and
- jump down from furniture. (Be careful not to let her be more active
- than is safe, and always supervise her in play.)
-
- Weak ferrets can't play normally, but they still enjoy encountering
- new things. Ruffle loved being carried for walks, being given herbs
- to smell (especially mints and basil), having the sun on her belly
- for short periods, listening to music (especially songs with her
- name), hugs and kisses, and other peaceful entertainments.
-
- If your ferret has a reduction in smell try moistening a cotton puff
- or swab with a bit of perfume and putting it on the lower back above
- the tail, and behind the ears. That will keep it from sensitive areas
- but let the ferret enjoy the comforting status of having a
- ferret-proper level of smell.
-
- If at all possible cancel your trips away. If not possible have a
- familiar, friendly, knowledgeable pet sitter such as a vet tech. Have
- a schedule, with some minor variations for interest, so that your pet
- knows what to expect. When your ferret has to be at the vet's office
- bring along a favorite toy or blanket which smells like home.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.7) My ferret won't eat. What should I do?
-
- If your ferret gets sick, chances are your vet will tell you to feed
- him softened food for a time while he recovers. Even so, sometimes an
- upset or recovering ferret will simply refuse to eat on his own. If
- that happens, a good thing to try is Gerber's Second Meals chicken baby
- food. It's full of nutrients and water (though it's not a good
- full-time food [6.1]) and most ferrets love it. Put a little on your
- finger and let your ferret lick it; if he won't try it, carefully
- smear a little on his nose. He should lick it off and eat the rest
- from your fingers eagerly. In general, ferrets like attention, and
- they love to be hand-fed. For a stubborn case, try letting another
- ferret "raid" the sick one's food bowl in front of him. Sometimes
- there's nothing like competition to get a ferret to eat.
-
- You can add Nutri-Cal, Pedialyte, medications, and so forth to the
- baby food if your vet recommends them, and as your ferret's recovery
- progresses, you can mix in portions of his regular food, moistened
- somewhat, to gradually work him back to eating dry food on his own.
-
- Sustacal and Ensure are sometimes recommended as short-term diets for
- very sick ferrets, possibly in a mixture such as "Duck Soup" [12.8]
- but they aren't nutritionally complete and should never be used as the
- only long-term food for a non-terminal ferret. According to one
- report, Ensure has the preferred flavors, but is also more likely to
- cause diarrhea. The best solution seemed to be combinations of the
- two.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.8) What's Duck Soup? Anyone have a recipe?
-
- Duck Soup, also called Ferret Soup and similar things, is a
- high-calorie, high-protein concoction meant to be fed to old or sick
- ferrets in order to fatten them up and help them regain their health.
-
- To really get the weight back on a sick ferret, some people have
- suggested giving him whipping cream. It doesn't have much nutrition,
- but it is full of calories and can help an underweight ferret gain
- some back.
-
- The following comes from Ann Davis:
-
- ACME Ferret Company --- The Original DUCK SOUP
-
- For years, we have been trying to find a super formula to fatten up
- sick ferrets, oldsters and ferrets with ulcers. We have been looking
- for something high in calories and protein, with added vitamins. After
- trying just about everything on the market for pets, we had just about
- given up, and were making do with some things that were not quite
- perfect for the little guys, because everything made for cats that we
- could find had a condensed milk base.
-
- [If your ferret is really sick, you may have to work your way through]
- all the steps, from full Sustacal to Duck Soup in caring for a sick
- ferret.
-
- We have heard of many miraculous recoveries attributed to Duck Soup.
- It has helped old ferrets, ferrets with insulinoma, ferrets with hair
- loss, and ferrets who are just plain too sick to eat.
-
- DUCK SOUP
-
- 1 can Sustacal (8 oz., or about 230 ml; it comes in a larger size too)
- 1 can water (8 oz., or about 230 ml)
- 2 scoops puppy or kitten weaning formula -- OPTIONAL
- 4 oz. (110 g? or ml?) dry kitten or ferret food, soaked in enough water to
- cover and soften it completely
-
- [Sustacal is meant for humans; look for it by baby formulas or in the
- pharmacy section of your supermarket. Debbie Riccio says you can also
- use Ensure, Discover 2.0, or Just Born (puppy/kitten milk replacer).]
-
- Mix thoroughly. We always nuke it for them to the temperature of baby
- formula. We serve about 4 fluid ounces at a time twice a day for
- maintenance; if your little guys eat too much and you feel they are
- getting fat, you can increase the amount of water. We have tried
- increasing the amount of dry food, but if it gets too thick some of
- them won't eat it. This formula also freezes well -- the Sustacal must
- be used within 48 hours if left only in the fridge.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.9) What are normal body temperature, blood test results, etc.?
-
- Rectal temperature 100-103 F (37.8 - 39.4 C), 101.9 average
- Heart rate 216-250/min (225 average)
- Respiration 33-36/min
- Urine pH 6.5-7.5; mild to moderate proteinura is common and
- normal
- Blood volume 60-80 ml/kg
-
- The following information comes from "Normal Parameters and Laboratory
- Interpretation of Disease States in the Domestic Ferret," an article
- written by Dr. Tom Kawasaki around 1994. Your veterinarian might find
- this information helpful.
-
- mean acceptable range
- sodium (mmol/L) 153 143-163
- potassium (mmol/L) 4.47 3.2-5.77
- chloride (mmol/L) 116 105-127
- calcium (mg/dl) 8.8 7.5-10.1
- inorganic phosphorus (mg/dl) 5.5 3.7-7.4
- glucose (fasted) (mg/dl) 110 65-164
- BUN (mg/dl) 21 8-37
- creatinine (mg/dl) 0.5 0.16-0.84
- BUN/creatinine 42
- total protein (g/dl) 5.8 4.4-7.3
- albumin (g/dl) 3.3 2.5-4.1
- globulin (g/dl) 2.2 1.8-2.9
- total bilirubin (mg/dl) 0.2 0.1-0.5
- cholesterol (mg/dl) 174 76-272
- alkaline phosphatase (IU/L) 37 15-75
- ALT (IU/L) 95 13-176
- AST (IU/L) 61 23-99
- CO2 22 14-30
- A/G (g/dl) 1.3 1.0-2.3
- LDH 274 101-498
- triglycerides 98 31-101
- GGT 4.8 1-13
- uric acid 2.2 1.4-3.3
- PCV (%) 45.4 38-54
- hemoglobin (g/dl) 13-18
- RBC (X10^6/mm3) 9.0 7.0-11.0
- platelets (X10^3) 400 350-600
- reticulocytes (%) N/A
- WBC (x10^3/mm3) 5.22 2.8-8.0
- neutrophils 3017 2329-5700
- (59%) (39-85%)
- lymphocytes 1157 525-3500
- (35%) (11-55%)
- monocytes 119 52-177
- (2.6%) (0.76-4.4%)
- eosinophils 133 29-432
- (2.8%) (1-8%)
- basophils 0 0
- MCV (um3) 51 46-65
- MCH (pg) 17.7 15.5-19.0
- MCHC 33 29-36 *
-
- Dr. Susan Brown also notes that the normal insulin level is 0-20, but
- that insulin may appear normal even in animals with insulinoma [1.1].
-
- There are, of course, dozens of components in your ferret's blood
- which can help your vet determine what's wrong. Here are some of the
- ones people ask about most often, and normal ranges. If you want to
- know more about what your ferret's tests mean, don't hesitate to ask
- your vet.
-
- The following information is extracted from an article in
- The FAIR [Ferret Adoption, Information & Rescue Society] Report,
- Vol. II, No. 2, by Mary Van Dahm, with a few additions.
-
- Blood glucose
- Glucose is a sugar, the main energy source for the body. Its level
- varies through the day, higher just after a meal, lower when the
- ferret is hungry, but the body keeps it fairly constant mainly by
- controlling the amount of insulin in the blood. A non-fasted blood
- glucose test might give values up to 207 mg/dl, depending on when
- the ferret last ate. Testing the blood glucose after withholding
- food from the ferret for 6 hours (fasting blood glucose) eliminates
- the variation and gives you a more definite number to judge it by.
- A low reading (hypoglycemia) may be a sign of insulinoma (see the
- Ferret Insulinoma FAQ [1.1]). A high reading (hyperglycemia) is
- rare, but might be a sign of diabetes. However, insulinoma can
- also cause a high glucose reading, and since diabetes is extremely
- rare in ferrets, you should double-check any diabetes diagnosis by
- looking for sugar in the urine as well.
-
- Pack cell volume/hematocrit (PCV/HCT)
- This is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Low
- readings indicate anemia; high readings are usually a sign of
- dehydration.
-
- Red blood cells (RBC)
- Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues and carbon
- dioxide back to the lungs. Low readings show anemia.
-
- White blood cells (WBC)
- Part of the immune system. Readings over about 7000 may mean
- the ferret is fighting off an infection, cold or flu. Readings over
- 10,000 may be early signs of lymphoma (see the Ferret Lymphosarcoma
- FAQ [1.1]) or another cancer. Unusually low readings indicate anemia
- and a bone marrow problem.
-
- Lymphocytes
- Another type of white blood cell. High readings can indicate a
- "smoldering" infection, possibly Helicobacter mustelae (see the
- Ferret Gastric Ulcer/ H. mustelae FAQ [1.1]). Many, but not all,
- cases of lymphosarcoma also show elevated lymphocyte levels (see the
- Ferret Lymphosarcoma FAQ [1.1]).
-
- Eosinophils
- Another type of white blood cell. Often an indicator of intestinal
- disorders, infection, or cancer. Other parts of the blood profile
- must also be considered for a diagnosis.
-
- Protein, Albumin and Globulin
- Albumin is a kind of protein, and globulin is a general term for all
- proteins that aren't albumin, so protein - albumin = globulin. The
- numbers indicate the ferret's general health and nutrition, and
- albumin also helps show how well the liver and kidneys are working.
-
- BUN and Creatinine
- The job of the kidneys is to filter out impurities, so if they
- aren't working well, these levels will be high.
-
- Alkaline phosphatese
- This is an enzyme found in the liver and bone. When bones are
- growing or the liver is damaged, lots of this is released into the
- blood.
-
- Total bilirubin
- A by-product of the normal breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood
- cells. Helps diagnose liver disease and bile duct obstruction.
-
- Sodium, Potassium and Chloride
- Controlled by the kidneys, these are commonly called blood
- electrolytes. They are involved in water balance, acid/base balance,
- and the transmission of nerve impulses, especially to the heart.
-
- Calcium and Phosphorus
- These minerals are controlled by the parathyroid glands and the
- kidneys. The levels show possible problems with bones, blood
- clotting, and nerve, muscle, and cell activity.
-
- References:
- 1. Wellness, Inc. How to Read Your Report, 1993
- 2. Finkler, M. Practical Ferret Medicine and Surgery for the Private
- Practitioner, 1993
- 3. Brown, S. Ferret Medicine and Surgery, 1992
- 4. Fox, JG. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, 1988 *
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (12.10) What tests might my vet want to run, and why?
-
- Dr. Michael Dutton, DVM, writes:
-
- There is no one test for a general check-up. There are not even
- tests that are specific for some certain diseases. The following
- is a list of some example tests for common ferret diseases, but in
- case of some multi-systemic diseases (such as heart disease), they
- may not show all the abnormalities.
-
- TESTS THAT ARE SPECIFIC FOR ONE DISEASE
-
- insulinoma - resting blood glucose and insulin level
- (see the Ferret Insulinoma FAQ [1.1])
- hyper adrenal disease - the Univ. of Tenn. ferret adrenal panel
- (see the Ferret Adrenal Disease FAQ [1.1])
- ovarian remnant - estrogen
- urinary tract infection - urinalysis
- urinary bladder stones - x-ray
- bone fractures - x-ray
-
- TESTS THAT HELP DETERMINE A PARTICULAR ORGAN FUNCTION
- (may not be specific to cause, prognosis, etc.)
-
- heart disease - auscultation, x-ray, ultrasound
- (see the Ferret Cardiomyopathy FAQ)
- malignant lymphoma - physical exam, biopsy
- (see the Ferret Lymphosarcoma FAQ)
- masses - physical exam, biopsy
- spleen masses - physical exam, biopsy
- (see the Ferret Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen) FAQ)
-
- The problem with biopsies is that you need to biopsy the correct
- tissue. That may not be possible such as some type of spinal cord
- or brain lesion. Intestinal diseases are easy to biopsy by
- surgical methods but that entails anesthesia (which may be risky
- to an ill ferret) and major abdominal surgery. So... you have a
- number of difficulties from the medical side to run a test for
- general health. Even if you can target a specific area, there may
- not be a definitive test and the owner needs to agree to costs,
- risks, etc.
-
- THE ADVICE DISPENSED BY MYSELF IS NOT MEANT TO SUPPLANT THE ADVICE
- OF VETERINARIANS WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE PATIENT. IF THE PATIENT
- IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER THE CARE OF A VETERINARIAN, THE CLIENT IS
- RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THEIR FERRET TO ONE.
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
- 13. *** Medical reference material ***
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (13.1) Who makes this product or medication?
-
- (This list was provided by Dr. Susan Brown.)
-
- Alkeran - Burroughs-Wellcome Co.
-
- Cytoxan - Bristol Meyers
-
- Fervac D vaccine - United Vaccines Madison, Wisc. 53713 (608) 277-3030
-
- Fromm D vaccine - Solvay Animal Health, Inc. Mendota Heights,
- Minn. 55120
-
- Keflex Pediatric Suspension 100 mg/cc - Dista Products Co. Division of
- Eli Lilly, Inc. Indianapolis, Ind.
-
- Lasix - Taylor Pharmacal Co. Decatur, Illinois 62525
-
- Lysodren - Bristol Meyers
-
- Nutrical - EVSCO Pharmaceuticals Buena, N.J. 08310
-
- PDS II - Ethicon, Inc. Somerville, N.J. 08876-0151
-
- Proglycem - Baker Cummins 800-347-4774
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (13.2) What books can I get or recommend to my vet?
-
- One excellent medical reference is
-
- Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents - Clinical Medicine and Surgery, by
- Elizabeth Hillyer and Katherine Quesenberry (1997)
-
- Another good reference work, a bit outdated but still worthwhile for
- both vets and others, is
-
- Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, by James G. Fox. Lea and Febiger,
- Philadelphia (1988). ISBN 0-8121-1139-7.
-
- There is also a series out by the
-
- American Animal Hospital Association
- 12575 West Bayaud Ave.
- Lakewood, CO 80228
- tel. 800-252-2242
-
- for practitioners on exotic pets. There are five books in the series.
- Dr. Jeff Jenkins and Dr. Susan Brown produced the one on Rabbits and
- Ferrets (he did the rabbit part). Many people feel that it is
- practical and useful; it has drug dosages, treatments, husbandry,
- normal clinical pathology values, and diagnostic techniques that might
- be useful for your vet.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Subject: (13.3) Are there any other useful references?
-
- Dr. Bruce Williams, DVM, recommends these references on cancers:
-
- Lawrence HJ et al. Unilateral adrenalectomy as a treatment for
- adrenocortical tumors in ferrets: Five cases (1990-1992). JAVMA
- 203(2): pp 267-270, 15 July 1993.
-
- Marini, RP et al. Functional islet cell tumor in six ferrets. JAVMA
- 202(3):430-434, 1 February 1993.
-
- Rosenthal KL et al. Hyperadrenocorticism associated with
- adrenocortical tumor or nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal gland
- in ferrets: 50 cases (1987-1991). JAVMA 203(2):pp. 271-275, 15
- July 1993.
-
- Dr. Susan Brown recommends these, on a variety of subjects:
-
- Blancou J, Aubert MFA, Artois M. Experimental rabies in the ferret
- (Mustela [putorius furo] Susceptibility - Symptoms - Excretion of
- the virus. Rev Med Vet 1982; 133(8-9): 553 557. (Translation by
- NIH).
-
- Daoust PY, Hunter DB. Spontaneous aleutian disease in ferrets. Can Vet
- J 1978; 19: 133-135.
-
- Forester, U., The adaptability of two rabies virus strains isolated in
- central Europe to one domesticated and two wild-living species. A
- contribution to the Epidemiology of rabies. Part 4: Transmission
- studies on ferrets with a rodent isolate. Zbl Vet Med B 1979;
- 26: 26-38. (Translation by NIH).
-
- Fox JG, Murphy JC, Ackerman MS, Prostak KS, Gallagher CA, Rambow VJ.
- Proliferative colitis in ferrets. 1982; 43: 858-864.
-
- Garibaldi ME, Goad P, Fox JG, Sylvina TJ, Murray R. Serum cortisol
- radioimmunoassay values in the normal ferret and response to ACTH
- stimulation and dexamethasone suppression tests. Lab An Sci 1988;
- 38: 452- 454.
-
- Hoover JP, Baldwin CA, Rupprecht CE. Serologic response of domestic
- ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) to canine distemper and rabies
- virus vaccines. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1989; 194: 234-238.
-
- Johnson-Delaney C, Nelson W. A Rapid procedure for filling fractured
- canine teeth of ferrets. J of Small Exotic Animal Medicine 1992;
- 3: 100-102.
-
- Kawasaki, T. Retinal Atrophy in the ferret. J of Small Exotic Animal
- Medicine 1992; 3: 137.
-
- Kociba GJ, Caputo CA. Aplastic anemia associated with estrus in pet
- ferrets. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1981; 178: 1293-1294.
-
- Kreuger KL, Murphy J C Fox J G. Treatment of proliferative colitis in
- ferrets. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1989; 194: 1435-1436.
-
- Liberson AJ, Newcomer CE, Ackerman JI, Murphy JC, Fox JG. Mastitis
- caused by hemolytic Escherichia coli in the ferret. J Am Vet Med
- Assoc 1983; 183: 1179-1181.
-
- Luttgen PJ, Storts RW, Rogers KS, Morton LD. Insulinoma in a ferret. J
- Am VetMed Assoc 1986; 189: 920-921.
-
- Mainka CH, Heber L, Schneider W. Studies on rabies of ferrets after a
- singleantibodies vaccination, J Vet Med B 1988; 35: 24-28.
-
- Manning D, Bell J. Lack of detectable blood groups in domestic
- ferrets: Implications for transfusion. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1990;
- 197: 84-86.
-
- Nguyen HT, Moreland AF, Shields RP. Urolithasis in ferrets (Mustela
- putorius). Lab An Sci 1979; 29: 243-245.
-
- Rupprecht CE, Gilbert J, Pitts R, Marshall KR, Koprowski H. Evaluation
- of an inactivated rabies vaccine in domestic ferrets. J Am Vet
- Med Assoc 1990; 196: 1614-1616.
-
- Stauber E, Robinette J, Basaraba R, Riggs M, Bishop C. Mast cell
- tumors in three ferrets. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1990; 196: 766-767.
-
- == End of Part 5 ==
-
- --
- - Pamela Greene
- Ferret Central: http://www.ferretcentral.org/
- Clan Lord (online game) FAQ: http://faq.clanlord.net/
- This sentence would be seven words long if it were six words shorter.
-
-