Ventricular septal defect 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.

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.

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.

Medical and Surgical Emergencies in Ferrets

In the last few years, significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment of ferret emergencies has occurred. Scientific advances demonstrated the need of specific practices when dealing with emergencies in ferrets. The risk of overdiagnosis of hypoglycemia with human portable blood glucose meters is a clear example. The purpose of this article is to describe the current approach to common medical and surgical emergencies in ferrets.