Mycoplasmosis in ferrets

Mycoplasma spp. pneumonia and subsequent pulmonary hypertension in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

Treatment of Mycoplasma spp. pneumonia has rarely been described in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). A 10-month-old, 0.53 kg, female spayed domestic ferret was presented for oxygen-dependent, chronic dyspnea of one-month's duration. Physical examination findings included dyspnea, tachypnea, increased bronchovesicular sounds bilaterally, and an intermittent non-productive cough. Bloodwork abnormalities included a mild leukocytosis (8.6×103/µL), mild neutrophilia (4.0×103/µL), mild hypoalbuminemia (2.7 g/dL), mild hyperglobulinemia (3.3 g/dL), mild hyponatremia (147 mEq/L), and mild hypochloremia (111.4 mEq/L). Radiographs revealed a marked diffuse bronchial pattern with peribronchial cuffing, a mild main pulmonary artery bulge, distended caudal lobar pulmonary arteries, and decreased serosal detail within the abdomen. An echocardiogram revealed indications of moderate pulmonary hypertension and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. Polymerase chain reaction testing for Mycoplasma spp. was positive, and treatment was initiated with doxycycline (10 mg/kg PO q 12 h for 16 weeks), prednisolone (0.4 mg/kg PO q 12 h for 13 weeks, tapered to 0.2 mg/kg PO q 12 h for two weeks, then eventually increased to 0.7 mg/kg PO q 12 h until further notice), sildenafil (0.3 mg/kg PO q 24 h for 13 weeks), and oxygen supplementation via an oxygen cage for six weeks. On repeat echocardiogram eleven weeks after initiation of doxycycline therapy, the pulmonary hypertension had resolved. At follow up six months later, the ferret was stable on previously prescribed medications and did not require oxygen supplementation. Mycoplasma spp. and pulmonary hypertension should be considered in cases of respiratory distress in ferrets.

Ferrets as a Mammalian Model to Study Influenza Virus-Bacteria Interactions

Ferrets represent an invaluable model for the study of influenza virus pathogenicity and transmissibility. Ferrets are also employed for the study of bacterial pathogens that naturally infect humans at different anatomical sites. While viral and bacterial infection studies in isolation using animal models are important for furthering our understanding of pathogen biology and developing improved therapeutics, it is also critical to extend our knowledge to pathogen coinfections in vivo, to more closely examine interkingdom dynamics that may contribute to overall disease outcomes. We discuss how ferrets have been employed to study a diverse range of both influenza viruses and bacterial species and summarize key studies that have utilized the ferret model for primary influenza virus challenge followed by secondary bacterial infection. These copathogenesis studies have provided critical insight into the dynamic interplay between these pathogens, underscoring the utility of ferrets as a model system for investigating influenza virus-bacteria interactions.

Managing Disease Outbreaks in Captive Herds of Exotic Companion Mammals

Management of epizootics of exotic companion mammal herds relies on careful observance of animals, proper management and husbandry, adequate nutrition, and stress reduction. Many diseases occur because of the stress of weaning so anticipating this and maximizing sanitation and ventilation, minimizing overcrowding and concurrent disease, and providing enough fiber for herbivores is prudent. Antimicrobial therapy must be carefully considered in the route of administration and the likely risk of enterotoxemia development. Separation of affected animals, rapid diagnostic testing, and implementation of treatment and supportive care minimizes losses during epizootics. Knowledge of potential zoonotic pathogens is important for veterinarians and staff.

Respiratory Disorders in Ferrets

Ferrets are susceptible to many disorders affecting the respiratory tract including both primary diseases and diseases of other body systems secondarily affecting the respiratory tract. Some primary respiratory diseases are shared with other mammal species including humans; potentially zoonotic diseases include important pathogens such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Other diseases include infections (bacterial, parasitic, and fungal) and neoplasia. A thorough workup is important to identify exact causes in order to formulate a treatment plan. Infectious diseases include bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral.

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.

Respiratory Diseases of Ferrets

Stress and poor husbandry conditions are important factors that predispose ferrets to respiratory infections. The most common respiratory diseases of ferrets are canine distemper and influenza. Bacterial pneumonia is uncommon and usually develops secondary to viral pneumonia. Pulmonary mycoses are also rare in ferrets, although cases of cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, and coccidioidomycosis have been described.

Biology and Diseases of Ferrets

Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) belong to the ancient family Mustelidae, which is believed to date back to the Eocene period, some 40 million years ago. The taxonomic groups in the family Mustelidae, as recognized by Nowak (1999), include 67 species in 25 genera from North, Central, and South America; Eurasia; and Africa. No other carnivore shows such diversity of adaptation, being found in a wide variety of ecosystems ranging from arctic tundra to tropical rainforests. Mustelids have retained many primitive characteristics, which include relatively small size, short stocky legs, five toes per foot, elongated braincase, and short rostrum (Anderson, 1989). The Mustelinae is the central subfamily of the Mustelidae. The best-known members of the Mustelinae are the weasels, mink, ferrets (genus Mustela), and the martens (genus Martes) (Anderson, 1989). The genus Mustela is divided into five subgenera: Mustela (weasels), Lutreola (European mink), Vison (American mink), Putorius (ferrets), and Grammogale (South American weasels). The smallest member of the Mustelidae family is the least weasel (Mustela nivalis), which weighs as little as 25 g, and the largest member is the sea otter (Enhydra lutris), which can weigh as much as 45 kg (Nowak, 1999).

First report of emerging zoonotic pathogen Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica in the United States

Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica is an emerging human pathogen that has been identified as the cause of septicemia in humans in Europe and South America. Here we report the first case of a unique disease manifestation of Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica-induced bacterial septicemia secondary to wound myiasis in a deer in Michigan in the United States.