Biology and Diseases of Ferrets

Modeling Paratuberculosis in Laboratory Animals, Cells, or Tissues: A Focus on Their Applications for Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Vaccines, and Therapy Studies

Paratuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous enteritis caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis that affects a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. It is considered one of the diseases with the highest economic impact on the ruminant industry. Despite many efforts and intensive research, paratuberculosis control still remains controversial, and the existing diagnostic and immunoprophylactic tools have great limitations. Thus, models play a crucial role in understanding the pathogenesis of infection and disease, and in testing novel vaccine candidates. Ruminant animal models can be restricted by several reasons, related to space requirements, the cost of the animals, and the maintenance of the facilities. Therefore, we review the potential and limitations of the different experimental approaches currently used in paratuberculosis research, focusing on laboratory animals and cell-based models. The aim of this review is to offer a vision of the models that have been used, and what has been achieved or discovered with each one, so that the reader can choose the best model to answer their scientific questions and prove their hypotheses. Also, we bring forward new approaches that we consider worth exploring in the near future.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of a primary splenic torsion in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 4-year-old female spayed domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) presented with a history of vomiting over 24 hours. On physical examination, a significantly enlarged, firm spleen was palpated. Abdominal radiographs and abdominal ultrasound were suggestive of a splenic torsion or splenic infarction. An exploratory laparotomy confirmed the initial diagnosis and splenectomy was performed using a vessel sealing device. Histologic evaluation and culture of the spleen were consistent with primary torsion without evidence of infection or neoplasia. The patient recovered from surgery without complications. Based on a literature search, this is the first report of the clinical diagnosis and successful surgical treatment of a primary splenic torsion in a ferret. Although it appears to be a rare and potentially life-threatening disease in ferrets, splenic torsion should be considered as a differential diagnosis in ferrets that present with non-specific signs and a palpably enlarged spleen.