Extreme Tetralogy of Fallot With Polycythemia in a Ferret ( Mustela putorius furo )

Ferret Pediatrics

Ferrets are bred to be pets, utilized for hunting, and as laboratory models. Despite the fact that ferrets in some areas of the world are neutered by the breeder before entering the pet trade, the importance of pediatric management should not be overlooked. Pregnant, whelping, and lactating jills should be closely monitored and kept in a quiet, stress-free environment. Hand-rearing baby kits is very challenging due to their requirement for ferret milk. Minimizing maternal stress and disease can prevent the need to hand rear kits. Infectious diseases in juvenile ferrets include canine distemper virus, rotavirus, coccidiosis, feline panleukopenia virus (experimental only), and Toxoplasma-like disease. All juvenile ferrets should be vaccinated against canine distemper and rabies. Congenital diseases are reported to affect the auditory, ocular, cardiovascular, urogenital, central nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. Early detection of these diseases is important to prevent the progression of curable diseases.

Meta-Analysis and Systematic Literature Review of the Genus Pneumocystis in Pet, Farm, Zoo, and Wild Mammal Species

A systematic literature search on Pneumocystis in 276 pet, farm, zoo, and wild mammal species resulted in 124 publications originating from 38 countries that were analyzed descriptively and statistically, for which inclusion and exclusion criteria were exactly defined. The range of recorded Pneumocystis prevalence was broad, yet in half of the citations a prevalence of ≤25% was documented. Prevalence was significantly dependent on the method used for Pneumocystis detection, with PCR revealing the highest percentages. Pet animals showed the lowest median Pneumocystis prevalence, followed by farm, wild, and zoo animals. In contrast, pet and farm animals showed higher proportions of high-grade infection levels compared to zoo and wild mammals. Only in individual cases, all of them associated with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia, was an underlying immunosuppression confirmed. Acquired immunosuppression caused by other diseases was frequently discussed, but its significance, especially in highly immunosuppressive cases, needs to be clarified. This meta-analysis supported a potential influence of the social and environmental factors of the host on Pneumocystis transmission in wildlife, which must be further elucidated, as well as the genetic diversity of the fungus.

Detection of Pneumocystis and Morphological Description of Fungal Distribution and Severity of Infection in Thirty-Six Mammal Species

Pneumocystis spp. are thought to adapt to the lungs of potentially all mammals. However, the full host range, fungal burden and severity of infection are unknown for many species. In this study, lung tissue samples originating from 845 animals of 31 different families of eight mammal orders were screened by in situ hybridization (ISH) using a universal 18S rRNA probe for Pneumocystis, followed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for determining histopathological lesions. A total of 216 (26%) samples were positive for Pneumocystis spp., encompassing 36 of 98 investigated mammal species, with 17 of them being described for the first time for the presence of Pneumocystis spp. The prevalence of Pneumocystis spp. as assessed by ISH varied greatly among different mammal species while the organism load was overall low, suggesting a status of colonization or subclinical infection. Severe Pneumocystis pneumonia seemed to be very rare. For most of the Pneumocystis-positive samples, comparative microscopic examination of H&E- and ISH-stained serial sections revealed an association of the fungus with minor lesions, consistent with an interstitial pneumonia. Colonization or subclinical infection of Pneumocystis in the lung might be important in many mammal species because the animals may serve as a reservoir.

Ferret Cardiology

Cardiac disease is relatively common in middle-aged to older ferrets and may comprise acquired or congenital disorders leading to problems with conduction, contractility, or outflow. Clinical signs are often seen in advanced stages of the disease, with lethargy, hind limb weakness, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, and respiratory distress owing to pleural effusion or lung edema being prominent features. Diagnostic workup and therapeutic intervention largely follow guidelines such as those established for dogs and cats, with feline doses often serving as a starting point for therapy.

[Echocardiographic measurements in clinically healthy ferrets without sedation]

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac diseases, predominantly acquired diseases such as valvular insufficiency and cardiomyopathies, are a common problem in domestic ferrets. Aim of the present study was to establish body-weight related echocardiographic reference intervals for standard B- and M-mode parameters, especially of the left atrium, in clinically healthy ferrets without sedation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighteen client-owned healthy, non-sedated ferrets underwent echocardiography in right lateral recumbency. Mean values were calculated from the evaluation of 3 cardiac cycles with good wall differentiation within 3 M-mode measurements in the right parasternal long axis view (level of the chordae tendinae, tip of the mitral valve and level of the aortic root and left atrium). Additionally, measurements of the left atrium (LA) and aorta (Ao) were performed in the short axis view at the level of the aorta and the LA/Ao ratio was calculated.

RESULTS

The 9 neutered male and 9 neutered female ferrets had a mean age of 2.6 ± 1.3 years and a mean body weight of 1.04 ± 0.31 kg. M-mode measurements of the left ventricle and the aortic root were possible in all animals. Body weight exerted a significant effect on the ventricular dimensions in diastole and systole as well as on the measurements of the left atrium and the aorta. In the B-mode evaluations, measurements of the aorta and the left atrium were frequently only performable on a static image. A significant effect of body weight on the dimensions of both aorta and left atrium were also apparent in the B-mode measurements. Calculated values such as fractional shorting and LA/Ao-ratio proved to be independent of body weight.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Standard B- and M- parameters may be used in routine examinations in order to evaluate cardiac morphology in the non-sedated ferret. Consideration of the body weight is warranted in this species.

Research Relevant Background Lesions and Conditions: Ferrets, Dogs, Swine, Sheep, and Goats

Animal models provide a valuable tool and resource for biomedical researchers as they investigate biological processes, disease pathogenesis, novel therapies, and toxicologic studies. Interpretation of animal model data requires knowledge not only of the processes/diseases being studied but also awareness of spontaneous conditions and background lesions in the model that can influence or even confound the study results. Species, breed/stock, sex, age, anatomy, physiology, diseases (noninfectious and infectious), and neoplastic processes are model features that can impact the results as well as study interpretation. Here, we review these features in several common laboratory animal species, including ferret, dog (beagle), pig, sheep, and goats.

Cardiovascular Drugs in Avian, Small Mammal, and Reptile Medicine

Cardiovascular disease, including congestive heart failure, pericardial disease, and atherosclerosis, is becoming increasingly better recognized in companion birds, small mammals, and reptiles. A wide range of medications is available to treat these conditions, including diuretics, vasodilators, positive and negative inotropes, antiarrhythmic agents, and pentoxifylline. This review systematically discusses each of these drug classes and their potential applications in exotic species. Although treatment approaches remain largely empirical and extrapolated from small animal and human medicine, the management strategies presented here have the potential to both maintain quality of life and extend survival time for the exotic cardiac patient.