FerretNaturalHx&Anat 2019-3.ppsx

FERRETS DOMESTIC FERRET Mustela putorius furo  Natural History Derived from European polecat (aka common ferret, black or forest polecat or foumart) Believed domesticated in 3000 B.C. by Egyptians for rabbiting Domestics believed to have arrived in N. America with th...

FERRETS DOMESTIC FERRET Mustela putorius furo  Natural History Derived from European polecat (aka common ferret, black or forest polecat or foumart) Believed domesticated in 3000 B.C. by Egyptians for rabbiting Domestics believed to have arrived in N. America with the early settlers in 1875 Purpose – hunting, vermin control, fur, running cables, biomedical research, pets European Polecat  Domestic ferrets are not closely related to the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) – the only ferret native to and the rarest mammal in North America See the Ferret Natural Hx handout for more information on the black-footed ferret Black-footed Ferret Mustela nigripes Black Footed Ferret  Legal Issues Still not recognized as a domestic animal in parts of USA; illegal as pets in CA, HA, PR, DC, N YC and in Japan (?) need permit to own and/or breed in other states (see handout)  attacks on children  historical lack of approved rabies vaccine (didn’t have until 1990)  fear of potential threat to native wildlife from feral ferrets American Mink North American River Otter Giant River Otter Badger Wolverine  Ferret Mustela putorius furo Anatomy & Physiology  Anatomy & Physiology Body Shape  long, thin and tubular with short legs  very flexible spine  neck almost as wide as mandible  feet with long claws for digging  Anatomy & Physiology Weight intact male (hob) 1 to 2 k g intact female (jill) 0.5 to 1 k g Females will grow larger if spayed before sexual maturity and males do not develop the heavy muscular build of intact males seasonal weight changes -> up to 30 - 40% increase in fall then decreases again in spring/summer  Hair Coat Normal (“wild type”) - Sable (Fitch) Other naturally occurring mutations = albino, cinnamon (sandy) Over 30 color mutations recognized in US (silver mitt, Siamese. panda, butterscotch, chocolate, etc.) Shedding in spring; thick regrowth in fall Ferret Coat Patterns and Color Mutations Sable / Fitch Cinnamon Albino  Skin No Sweat glands!! Sebaceous (oil) glands Anal glands  Anal Glands Well developed Paired (2) Serous yellow fluid with a powerful odor Cannot project for long distances Descenting (Sx) - controversial  Skeletal System Skull & muscles of head / jaw developed for strength & shearing action Vertebral formula / large cervical vertebrae & well developed musculature for stability when capturing & subduing prey Feet - 5 digits with non retractable claws Os penis (J shaped) Ferret Paw  Digestive System Teeth Dental formula = 2 (I 3/3, C1/1, P3/3, M1/2) = 34 Canines - long crown, longer root = difficult to extract Premolars and molars (except molar 2) –have multiple roots  GI Tract Simple stomach  Expands greatly  Able to vomit or regurgitate Short small (182-198 cm) & large (10 cm) intestine Short GI transit time (3-4 hrs) No cecum or ileocolic valve  Cardiovascular Systems Heart - located b/w 6th and 8th ribs Single central artery (Innominate artery I or brachiocephalic artery) in place of bilateral carotid aa  May be an adaption for maintenance of blood flow to brain as turns head 180 degrees  Respiratory System Trachea – long -> 60 - 70 large diameter rings  Decreased central airway & pulmonary resistance w/ large respiratory reserve Lungs – 6 lobes (4 R / 2 L)  Spleen Located along greater curvature of stomach  Attached to stomach & liver by gastrosplenic ligament Cresent shaped Size varies depending on age & health  When enlarged, extends diagonally from upper left to lower right of abd cavity  Ferret Male Female  Reproduction Natural Breeding Season  Hob (December – July)  Jill (March – August) Jill – seasonally polyestrus w/ onset of estrus coinciding w/ increasing day length - Induced ovulators (30-40 hrs after copulation) - Gestation = 41-43 days Ferret Kits  Reproduction If bred but does not become pregnant -> pseudopregnancy lasting 40-42 days If not bred -> ~ 50% will remain in estrus -> bone marrow toxicity due to elevated estrogen levels  Female Anestrus Estrus  Adrenal Glands Paired – embedded in fat medial to cranial poles of kidneys - irregular nodule to elongate plaque Right - slightly larger & more elongate than left and is found under caudate lobe of liver Right intimately associated w/ caudal vena cava -> more difficult to surgically remove