Ferret Medicine Learning Objectives

Study Notes

The text discusses the diagnosis and treatment of faecal PCR positive cases in ferrets, as well as adrenal disease in ferrets.
Faecal PCR positive cases require general supportive care and treatment for ulcerative gastritis, which can include Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, and Bismuth subsalicylate.
Adrenal disease affects neutered ferrets, especially those that are middle-aged, aged 3 ½ to 4 ½ years, neutered for more than 18 months, indoor pets, and receive more than 8 hours of light per day.
Clinical signs of adrenal disease include asymptomatic cases, as well as tail alopecia, comedones, progressive bilateral flank alopecia, easily epilated fur, pruritus, vulval swelling, dysuria with prostatomegaly, aggression/sexual behavior, increased scent, mammary gland enlargement, and petechiae.
Diagnosis of adrenal disease involves clinical signs, signalment, and exclusion of other causes, such as parasitic skin disease and ovarian remnant, as well as further diagnostics like a hormone panel and measurement of multiple sex hormones.
Ultrasonography is used to diagnose adrenal disease, with normal adrenal glands being elipsoid in shape and within expected size parameters. Common abnormalities include enlargement, rounded appearance, and altered echogenicity.
Medical therapy for adrenal disease includes Mitotane/Trilostane, Melatonin implants, androgen blockers/Oestradiol blockers, and GnRH agonists like Deslorelin.
Mitotane/Trilostane have no effect on sex hormone production but can be used short-term to reverse severe clinical signs, while Melatonin implants have cosmetic effects at best. Androgen blockers/Oestradiol blockers can be used to block the effects of high levels of sex hormones, and GnRH agonists like Deslorelin can shut down adrenal stimulation, but are expensive and last more than 18 months.
Prevention of adrenal disease involves surgical neutering, which is the main factor for preventing negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and preventing reproductive neoplasia/infections, as well as reducing aggression and minimizing unpleasant scent.
Options for preventing adrenal disease include surgical neutering, deslorelin implant to chemically neuter, both neuter and use deslorelin implant, using vasectomised hob, and "jill jab."
Insulinoma is a common neoplasm in ferrets, affecting approximately 25% of ferret neoplasms, and is characterized by overproduction of insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia, episodic lethargy and ataxia, and episodes of seizures.
Insulinoma is more common in middle-aged ferrets, around 4 years of age, and can be caused by genetic factors and excessive carbohydrate exposure. Treatment options include dietary management, insulin therapy, and surgical removal of the tumor.
The text also provides information on the diagnostic process for adrenal disease, including clinical signs, signalment, and exclusion of other causes, as well as the use of ultrasonography and hormone panels to confirm the diagnosis.
The text emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of adrenal disease, as well as the importance of preventative measures to reduce the risk of developing adrenal disease.
The text also mentions that adrenal disease is not commonly seen in the UK, but the risk of oestrogen marrow suppression is a bigger concern for ferret owners, and they are offered options and suggestions based on their specific situation.