The FerretThe Ferret

Mustela putorius furoMustela putorius furo

TerminologyTerminology

Jill/spriteJill/sprite Hob/gibHob/gib Kit/kindlingKit/kindling

TPRTPR

Temperature- 100-104Temperature- 100-104 Pulse- 180-250 bpmPulse- 180-250 bpm Respiratory- 25-30 breaths per minuteRespiratory- 25-30 breaths per minute Gestation- 42 daysGestation- 42 days

Unique AnatomyUnique Anatomy

Sebaceous glands produce odorSebaceous glands produce odor Anal sac removal and neuteringAnal sac removal and neutering

Heart located somewhat caudal of other Heart located somewhat caudal of other speciesspecies

Unusual gaitUnusual gait

ReproductionReproduction

Seasonal breeders- day length over 12 Seasonal breeders- day length over 12 hrshrs

Induced ovulationInduced ovulation Mothers with babies can be aggressiveMothers with babies can be aggressive Males in season may fightMales in season may fight Most all ferrets in US are neutered at a Most all ferrets in US are neutered at a

young ageyoung age

DietDiet

Obligate carnivoresObligate carnivores Raw meatsRaw meats Commercial dietsCommercial diets

WeaponsWeapons

TeethTeeth Toenails, not retractable Toenails, not retractable Rarely bite unless very distressed, Rarely bite unless very distressed,

however if they do, they may not let go. however if they do, they may not let go. Hold under running water to get them to Hold under running water to get them to release.release.

May hiss to warn before biting.May hiss to warn before biting.

RestraintRestraint

““Flexible” Flexible” Pick up by supporting chest area and Pick up by supporting chest area and

hindquartershindquarters Scruff, support rear, hold above tableScruff, support rear, hold above table Lay along arm/stretchLay along arm/stretch Distraction by feedingDistraction by feeding Burrito Burrito Watch for hyperthermiaWatch for hyperthermia Your pocket Your pocket

VenipunctureVenipuncture

Hold head in hand with thumb and Hold head in hand with thumb and forefinger on mandibleforefinger on mandible

Lateral saphenous or cephalic for 1mlLateral saphenous or cephalic for 1ml

Larger volumes:Larger volumes: Jugular (can be difficult); restraint requires Jugular (can be difficult); restraint requires

two handlerstwo handlers Anterior vena cava (under anesthesia)Anterior vena cava (under anesthesia)

HusbandryHusbandry

Predators- CarnivoresPredators- Carnivores Housemates- dogs and catsHousemates- dogs and cats rabbits and rodentsrabbits and rodents Cages large enough to stretch- free time in Cages large enough to stretch- free time in ferretferret

proofedproofed house house Will use litter boxesWill use litter boxes Sleeping enclosure/blanketsSleeping enclosure/blankets Feed ferret kibbles free choiceFeed ferret kibbles free choice Water in bottlesWater in bottles Neutered animals can live in coloniesNeutered animals can live in colonies LegalitiesLegalities

Common ProceduresCommon Procedures

Ear cleaningEar cleaning Nail trimsNail trims BathsBaths

MedicatingMedicating

PO- best in liquid- do not scruff as cannot PO- best in liquid- do not scruff as cannot swallowswallow

SQ- scruffSQ- scruff IM- quads and semimembranousIM- quads and semimembranous IPIP IV- cephalic, saphenous, jugularIV- cephalic, saphenous, jugular

ParasitesParasites

HeartwormHeartworm Fleas-Ctenocephalides felisFleas-Ctenocephalides felis Ear mites- Otodectes cynotisEar mites- Otodectes cynotis Gastrointestinal- rare except for coccidiaGastrointestinal- rare except for coccidia

ZoonosesZoonoses

Influenza- transmitted between humans Influenza- transmitted between humans and ferretsand ferrets

Do not work with ferrets if you have any Do not work with ferrets if you have any flu symptoms and counsel clients to take flu symptoms and counsel clients to take similar precautionssimilar precautions

Most will recover in 5-10 days without Most will recover in 5-10 days without treatmenttreatment

DiseaseDisease

Canine distemperCanine distemper Differentiate from influenzaDifferentiate from influenza Nearly always fatal without vaccinationsNearly always fatal without vaccinations Must use ferret approved vaccineMust use ferret approved vaccine

Disease Disease

Persistent estrus- causes estrogen toxicity Persistent estrus- causes estrogen toxicity AlopeciaAlopecia LethargyLethargy Dyspnea Dyspnea Vomiting and diarrheaVomiting and diarrhea Vulvar swellingVulvar swelling PetechiaPetechia Bone marrow suppression and deathBone marrow suppression and death

DiseaseDisease

HyperadrenocorticismHyperadrenocorticism Adrenal tumorsAdrenal tumors AlopeciaAlopecia Vulvar swelling/ increased agitation while Vulvar swelling/ increased agitation while

urinatingurinating Increased aggressionIncreased aggression Related to neutering?Related to neutering? TX: adrenalectomy, melatonin implants, TX: adrenalectomy, melatonin implants,

hormone therapyhormone therapy

DiseaseDisease

Insulinoma (cancer of the pancreas)Insulinoma (cancer of the pancreas) Lethargy, seizures, ultimately deathLethargy, seizures, ultimately death TX: surgical excision of cancerous lobes, TX: surgical excision of cancerous lobes,

steroidssteroids Congestive cardiomyopathyCongestive cardiomyopathy

LymphomaLymphoma Juvenile Juvenile AdultAdult

VaccinesVaccines

Canine DistemperCanine Distemper RabiesRabies

approved rabies vaccine for ferrets is Imrab 3 approved rabies vaccine for ferrets is Imrab 3 (Merial). (Merial).

ReferencesReferences

Clinical Textbook For Veterinary Clinical Textbook For Veterinary Technicians by McCurnin and BassertTechnicians by McCurnin and Bassert

BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets by Meredith BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets by Meredith and Redrobeand Redrobe

Principles and Practices For Veterinary Principles and Practices For Veterinary Technicians by SiroisTechnicians by Sirois

ALAT Training Manual by AALASALAT Training Manual by AALAS Laboratory Animal Medicine by Sirois Laboratory Animal Medicine by Sirois

This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the Workforce Innovation in Regional Development (WIRED) as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, and the City and County of Denver's Office of Economic Development.  The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor.  The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.  This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible.  All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.