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Ferret Disease Information Adrenal gland tumors are a common problem for ferrets over three years of age. The adrenal glands are important hormone-producing glands which are located near each kidney. These tumors may be benign or malignant, but in either case the symptoms are the same, due to the production of abnormal amounts of hormone and hormone precursors from the tumor. The progress of this disease is slow, and affected ferrets may live two or three years after symptoms start. The most common early symptom of adrenal tumors in the ferret is hair loss. This hair loss can involve the tail, back, sides, and abdomen, but generally hair of the face and legs remains. The skin may become visibly thinner in these bare areas. Muscle loss is common in affected ferrets, so that bones of the vertebrae, pelvis and ribs become prominent below the skin, and the weight loss can be dramatic. Females with adrenal tumors will often develop symptoms of estrous (enlarged vulva) even though they have been spayed previously, due to the effect of sex hormones from the tumor. Males may develop cystic enlargement of the prostate gland which can cause them to strain while urinating. Diagnosis of adrenal tumors can usually be made on the basis of finding these characteristic symptoms. Blood profiles, x-rays, and urinalysis are usually normal, and special adrenal gland tests used in other species to diagnose adrenal tumors (e.g., ACTH response tests, dexamethasone suppression tests) are of limited use in ferrets. A blood test to assay estradiol and related steroid hormone levels is a new and promising approach. The treatment most commonly recommended for adrenal tumors is surgical removal. If the mass is benign (adenoma), or if the mass is malignant but has not yet spread elsewhere, surgery can solve the problem. The return of hair growth, body weight and activity level can be dramatic within a few weeks of surgery. This surgery involves exploring the abdomen and removing the affected adrenal gland. In cases where surgery is unsuccessful or not elected, treatment with the drug lysodren may be helpful for a time in reducing symptoms of these tumors. The following pictures (.gif) are examples of animals with an Adrenal Tumor. It is not a pretty sight, but necessary to show extreme symptoms. * Picture
of an albino ferret with Adrenal Tumor For more information on adrenal disease in ferrets, please visit the Miami Ferret Health Care's focus on Adrenal Disease. This site offers answers to many questions, descriptive pictures, and adrenal disease resources. Canine distemper is a common viral infection which is virtually 100% fatal in ferrets, although it can be prevented with appropriate vaccination. It can be transmitted directly from exposure to affected dogs or ferrets, or by airborne particles in an enclosed environment. The disease is highly infectious, and outbreaks in households must be carefully managed to prevent high mortality rates. The symptoms of this disease are quite distinct in the terminal stages, but initially they resemble an upper respiratory disease like influenza. After exposure to the virus, no signs are evident during the incubation period of 5 to 7 days. Then loss of appetite, lethargy and a thick discharge from the eyes and nose develops. Swelling of the membranes around the eyes (conjunctivitis) is another characteristic symptom. The eyelids may crust shut. Fever is common in ferrets with distemper. As the disease progresses, red skin rashes consistently develop on the chin, muzzle and in the inguinal area. The footpads may become thick and dry. Ultimately the virus can infect the nervous system leading to convulsions, coma and death. Diagnosis of canine distemper in live ferrets can be made by special tests such as fluorescent antibody techniques on blood smears and conjunctival scrapings. Diagnosis can be made on autopsy of affected individuals because viral elements called inclusion bodies are found on microscopic examination of many different tissues. For all practical purposes, this disease is incurable. Once a diagnosis of canine distemper has been made, and other less serious diseases such as influenza have been ruled out, euthanasia is recommended. There are vaccination protocols that effectively prevent this disease. At the present time, the only USDA approved vaccine for distemper in ferrets is FerVac-D by United Vaccine. This vaccine has been proven effective if administered properly, and at yearly intervals. Ear mites are very common in ferrets, especially in multiple pet households. These mites are too small to be easily visible with the naked eye, but can easily be diagnosed by a veterinarian with an otoscope. The ear mite which affects ferrets is Otodectes cyanotis, and it can affect other pets in the household as well. These mites live in the ear canals and do not burrow under the skin, or live for extended periods of time away from the ear. Symptoms of ear mite infection include a dark waxy exudate in the ears, and redness and itching of the ear canal. In many cases no signs are visible at all, and the mites are an incidental finding on a physical examination. Treatment of ear mites used to involve the frequent administration of liquid insecticides into the ears, but now most veterinarians use the drug ivermectin, and repeat the dose two weeks later. ECE (Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis) ECE is a viral diarrhea that is often called the Green Slime disease or simply The Greenies. It first appeared in the U.S. Northeast around 1993. Since then it has spread across the U.S. and into Canada. ECE usually occurs after bringing a new ferret into a household or rescue facility. Ferrets already living in the household usually become infected within 2-3 days. Occasionally, the new ferret, if not previously exposed to ECE, may be the only one to come down with the disease, suggesting that the ferrets already living at that location have the virus. A number of ferrets with varying stages of diarrhea following the introduction of a new ferret is classic for ECE, and one of the most significant diagnostic findings. In outbreaks, infection rates approach 100%; however, mortality in treated animals averages less than 5%. Symptoms can vary from ferret to ferret. They usually include an initial bout of vomiting which is watery and clear, which is followed by a profuse green, watery diarrhea which rapidly dehydrates the ferret. The ferret will want to do nothing but sleep and when awake, look obviously ill with eyes narrowed and watery. It t usually will not eat or drink and if not force fed and hydrated, may die quickly. There are many causes of diarrhea and if neither the owner nor the ferret have not been in contact with any other ferrets for a few weeks, it's unlikely that a ferret with diarrhea has ECE. Treatment There is no medicine or drug that will treat ECE directly. It has been positively determined to be viral in origin (a coronavirus), and antibiotics have no effect on it. It is diagnosed by the symptoms. If a ferret has all the symptoms and everything else is ruled out, then it's probably ECE. Treatment to support the ferret until the virus runs its course. If the ferret won't eat on its own, then it must be force fed both food and water. It will die from dehydration long before it starves to death, and diarrhea causes severe dehydration, so fluids are essential. An affected ferret may need subcutaneous or intravenous fluids (often up to 90 ml/lb/day), oral antibiotics (Amoxicillin 10-20 mg/LB twice daily for one week) to prevent secondary infections, and a bland diet. Since ECE is a viral infection, antibiotics will not treat the disease; however, it will prevent a secondary bacterial infection. There are many recipes for bland diets for ferrets, but one of the most beneficial is simply Gerber's Chicken Baby Food. Simply warm it to just over room temperature and feed by finger. The first time or two, you may have to force feed the baby food, but your ferret will soon be licking it off your finger as quickly as you can load up. When your ferret is on baby food, the volume of its feces will decrease. This is normal because baby food is easily digested by the sick ferret. You can also use one of the Duck Soup Recipes to support your ferret during the onslaught of ECE. Your ferret has to eat and drink, no matter how much it doesn't feel like doing so. You will have to feed it at least four times a day, more if the ferret can only be made to eat small amounts. Ask your vet to show you how to do the pinch test to determine if your ferret is dehydrated. Basically, pinch the skin on the back of the neck (like you're going to scruff him or her with one finger and thumb). If the skin stays stuck together and up, the ferret is dehydrated. If it goes back quickly, it's probably not. If the ferret is severely dehydrated, it may need fluids injected sub-q (beneath the skin). Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar, and in ferrets this is caused by pancreatic nodules called insulinomas or islet cell tumors. While these tumors are usually benign, they produce large amounts of insulin, which lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels. This is the opposite of the situation encountered with diabetes, where low insulin levels lead to high blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia is a common disease in adult ferrets of both sexes. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can be very subtle in the beginning. As the disease develops over many months, symptoms become increasing severe and ultimately fatal. Initially episodes of weakness or disorientation arise, then quickly pass after a matter of several seconds or minutes. Ferrets may stand still, staring blankly during a hypoglycemic episode, or may temporarily drag the rear legs while moving about. As the disease progresses and the tumors grow, the ferret may salivate and make chewing motions. Rubbing or pawing at the face is also frequently noted during a hypoglycemic attack. Episodes become more frequent and more severe, ultimately leading to collapse, seizures or coma. Diagnosis of insulinoma in the ferret can usually be made, or strongly suggested, on the basis of fasting blood glucose levels. A blood test is taken following a 4-6 hour fast, with levels below 70mg/dl strongly suggestive of insulinoma. Assays of blood insulin taken at the same time as the blood glucose test can be helpful in diagnosing insulinomas in ferrets whose glucose levels alone are equivocal. Treatment recommendations for insulinomas may vary, but insulinomas initially are best treated by surgical exploration and removal if possible. This allows a confirmation of the diagnosis, and it provides the veterinarian with an opportunity to remove any obvious pancreatic masses. Insulinomas may occur singly or as groups of small nodules. Unfortunately, these nodules may be so small and diffuse throughout the pancreas that they are not apparent to the surgeon. In this case, some veterinarians will perform a partial pancreatectomy in an attempt to remove some of the insulin-producing cells. Insulinomas are frequently a recurring problem. It is important for ferret owners to realize this, as blood glucose levels often start to fall within a few months even following successful surgery. Frothier control of blood sugar levels can be achieved by frequent small meals which are high in protein and complex carbohydrates, but low in simple sugars. Because of its ability to raise blood sugar levels, prednisone or related corticosteroids are widely used in ferrets where surgery was declined or was unsuccessful at normalizing blood glucose. Another medication which can be useful is diazoxide (Proglycem), although it is expensive and response varies. Insulinoma in ferrets is best seen as a disease which can be managed but seldom cured. With carefully supervised treatment consisting of surgery, diet control, and medications an affected ferret's lifespan can be increased by up to three years. More Information on Insulinoma Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle which leads to impairment of the heart's ability to pump blood, and eventually to heart failure. It is the most common cause of heart failure in the ferret. There are two types of cardiomyopathy, dilatative and hypertrophic, with the dilatative form being most common in ferrets. In this disease the walls of the heart become increasingly thinner and weaker until a point is reached when the heart can no longer function effectively as a pump. The cause of cardiomyopathy is unknown in ferrets, although it has recently been discovered that in cats dilatative cardiomyopathy can be prevented with the addition of an amino acid (taurine) to the diet, and in dogs lack of another amino acid (carnitine) has been shown to cause the same disease. It is possible that a similar relationship may exist in ferrets, but this has not been established yet. Symptoms of cardiomyopathy are similar regardless of whether it is the dilatative or hypertrophic form. Weakness, lethargy, and breathing difficulty are commonly seen. Coughing may be a symptom also. As the heart begins to fail, blood pressure changes lead to an accumulation of fluid in the chest, making it increasingly difficult for the ferret to breathe, and thus reducing stamina. Other blood pressure changes may lead to enlargement of the liver and spleen, and the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, so the abdomen may look distended. Diagnosis of cardiomyopathy can be made with an x-ray and ultrasound examination, although a veterinarian may use other tests to further define the problem such as an EKG, blood profiles, and thoracocentesis (using a thin needle to obtain fluid from the chest for microscopic examination). In an x-ray, the heart of a ferret with cardiomyopathy appears visibly enlarged. The use of a sonogram is essential for defining the type of cardiomyopathy and the degree of damage present. This is important before beginning therapy. Treatment of cardiomyopathy involves medication to remove accumulated fluid, such as the diuretic furosemide. Vasodilators to modulate blood pressure are also often used, such as Nitrol or captopril. Digitalis derivatives can be helpful to increase the strength and efficiency of the failing heart. The long term prognosis for ferrets with cardiomyopathy is poor, but treatment can effectively reduce the symptoms and increase the quality of life for a period of many months. Eosinonophilic Gastroenteritis Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an intestinal disorder seen in the ferret . The disease is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of white blood cells called eosinophils in the intestinal wall and associated lymph nodes, although the cause of this is unknown. The eosinophil is a component of the immune system, and is particularly involved with defense against parasites, but no parasite has been found responsible in this syndrome to date. As the bowel wall becomes infiltrated with enormous numbers of eosinophils, the normal architecture of the intestinal wall is disrupted, and so is its function. Symptoms of eosinophilic gastroenteritis include loss of appetite, chronic weight loss, mucousy diarrhea which may be bloody, and intermittent vomiting. This is a slowly progressing, chronic disease process in the domestic ferret, with symptoms developing over a period of weeks to months. Diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis is confirmed by taking a full-thickness bowel biopsy during an exploratory surgery, along with biopsies of abdominal lymph nodes. If E.G. is present, large numbers of eosinophil infiltrates are seen on microscopic examination of the tissue samples. Treatment of eosinophilic gastroenteritis is with nutritional support and corticosteroids. Because these individuals have a compromised ability to absorb nutrients, feedings should include high calorie supplementation with products such as Nutrical or Deliver. If the diarrhea is severe, fluid support may also be necessary. As with other inflammatory bowel diseases, the use of corticosteroids can be extremely beneficial in controlling the problem. The use of prednisone or prednisolone at 1mg/LB body weight daily is usually effective. Once the symptoms have disappeared, the dose can be lowered and sometimes discontinued, but symptoms often recur. Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies (Blockages) One of the most frequently encountered problems with ferrets in veterinary practice is GI foreign bodies or blockages. Ferrets are not always very discriminating about what they swallow, and seem to have a special affinity for soft, chewy objects such as foam rubber, neoprene, pencil erasers, etc. But I have also removed string, cherry pits and a long list of other items from the intestinal tracts of ferrets that only a "carpet shark" would find palatable! Symptoms of intestinal foreign bodies vary considerably according to the location and the degree of obstruction which is being caused. Cases involving foreign objects in the stomach which are irritating to the stomach lining, but are not obstructing the flow of intestinal contents may take a long chronic course consisting of intermittent periods of diarrhea, appetite depression and vomiting. On the other hand, if the foreign objects make their way into the narrow small intestine they are capable of causing complete obstruction. Symptoms of such obstruction are acute and dramatic, and may include abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia and collapse. Diagnosis of intestinal foreign bodies involves a veterinary examination, and usually additional diagnostic procedures such as an x-ray. If the diagnosis is still uncertain, an upper GI (barium) study should be performed, which allows the veterinarian to further define the site and degree of obstruction present. Treatment of GI foreign bodies is surgical. Supportive care is started immediately to control dehydration, infection or shock, and the object is removed during an exploratory surgery. In some cases the bowel is so badly damaged at the site of obstruction that it must be cut out, and healthy bowel edges sewn together (a procedure called an anastamosis). The prognosis for complete recovery is usually good. Following successful surgery the patient is maintained on antibiotics and a soft bland diet for a few days after being released from the hospital. Ferrets are susceptible to human influenza virus, and it has been demonstrated that the disease can be transmitted from humans to ferrets, and from ferrets to humans. Both type A and B influenza virus can infect ferrets. As with all viral infections, there is no cure, so careful prevention is the best control. This includes preventing exposure of ferrets to humans who are actually infected, and separating infected ferrets from susceptible ferrets in a household while they are ill. Diagnosis of influenza is made on the basis of symptoms and exposure history. While a definitive diagnosis can be made by viral isolation from nasal secretions, or from rising antibody levels in the blood, these tests are not generally practical in a clinical setting. Symptoms include thick discharge from the eyes and nose, sneezing, and conjunctivitis (swelling and redness of the membranes around the eyes). Affected ferrets become lethargic and depressed. Fever above 104 degrees is seen commonly with influenza. The infection generally runs a course of 1-2 weeks. Although most ferrets will recover from influenza, it can be a fatal disease, and the very young and the very old are at greatest risk. When deaths occur, they may be associated with bacterial complications, such as Streptococcal pneumonia. As it is in humans, treatment of influenza in ferrets is based on supportive and symptomatic care while the disease runs its course. Pediatric nasal decongestants can be used to reduce fluid secretions and open swollen nasal passages. Nutritional and hydration support must be maintained even if it means force feeding or administering fluids intravenously. In high risk individuals, the use of antibiotics can be valuable in preventing secondary bacterial infections which can be serious. Lymphosarcoma is a debilitating cancer of the lymphatic system which affects ferrets of all ages, and occurs with equal incidence in both sexes. Lymphosarcoma can affect many different organs in the body, and for this reason the symptoms of this disease are extremely variable. Malignant lymphocytes may be found in bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, intestine, spinal cord, and are often widespread through many different sites. There is some evidence that lymphosarcoma in ferrets may be caused by a virus, as occurs in some other species (for example, feline leukemia virus in cats), but this has not been proven. Symptoms of lymphosarcoma in the ferret can include lethargy, weight loss, fever, coughing, and breathing difficulty. Symptoms vary according to the organs which are principally involved at the time, but chronic weight loss is a very common finding. In addition, on a physical examination the veterinarian may find enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes, enlargement of the spleen, or he may feel masses in the abdomen or chest. Diagnosis of lymphosarcoma can be suggested by changes in the total white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, but a definitive diagnosis of this disease requires biopsy of affected tissues such as lymph nodes, spleen or bone marrow. These are routine procedures in veterinary medicine, and can usually be done on an outpatient basis. Treatment of lymphosarcoma involves chemotherapy, and the initial improvement with some forms of lymphosarcoma can be dramatic. This is especially true for cases involving large lymph nodes and lymphoid thoracic masses. There are many chemotherapy protocols published in the veterinary literature, but most involve the use of prednisone, cyclophosphamide and vincristine. While on chemotherapy it is critical to follow the patient's progress with serial blood tests to make sure that the treatment is not excessively damaging the bone marrow's blood producing cells. Ferrets tend to tolerate chemotherapy well, usually with few significant side effects. Lymphosarcoma is rarely cured with these chemotherapy programs, although long term remissions of 6--12 months are achievable. Proliferative Colitis Proliferative colitis is a cause of serious diarrhea in ferrets, and occurs primarily in young ferrets less than 1 year of age. This disease appears to be caused by an infection of the colon by a bacterial organism called Desulfovibrio. This bacterium is closely related to Campylobacter, which is another cause of diarrhea in ferrets, but work by Dr. James Fox has demonstrated that Desulfovibrio is a distinctly different microorganism. This is a very serious disease in untreated ferrets, but fortunately can be cured with proper therapy. Symptoms of proliferative colitis include watery diarrhea which may be bloody or contain mucous. These ferrets often strain to defecate and may act painful. Continued and prolonged staining may lead to rectal prolapse, a condition in which the colon is pushed out through the rectum. Weight loss and dehydration are seen, as they are seen in most cases of diarrhea in ferrets. Diagnosis may be suspected on the basis of symptoms and thickened bowel loops which can be palpated by a veterinarian or seen in x-rays. A definitive diagnosis requires a surgical biopsy of the colon. Treatment of proliferative colitis is usually effective. The antibiotic chloramphenicol at 25mg/lb body weight twice daily for 21 days is most commonly used. Ferrets should be vaccinated for canine distemper initially at 8 weeks of age, and this should be repeated with boosters at 11 weeks and 14 weeks of age. Following this series, annual boosters are enough to maintain immunity in most cases. Ferrets are not susceptible to feline distemper, calicivirus, feline leukemia, or other common canine and feline viral diseases, so polyvalent (combination) vaccines which are used for dogs and cats are not recommended. There is currently only one canine distemper vaccine available in the U.S. which is USDA approved for use in ferrets. This vaccine is called FerVac-D, and is manufactured by United Vaccine co. There have been a significant number of serious allergic reactions to this vaccine, but they are statistically uncommon, and are usually easily controlled with appropriate veterinary care. If these reactions occur, it is within 15 minutes of vaccination, so it is prudent for the veterinarian to observe the patient during this period. Since distemper is such a common and fatal problem in ferrets, the benefit of immunization clearly outweighs the risk. The manufacturer of FerVac-D is working to reduce the vaccine reaction rate. A chick embryo tissue vaccine which has been used in ferrets for many years (Fromm-D by Solvay co) is no longer available. Its replacement, Galaxy-D, is manufactured using a different process, and its safety and efficacy are not proven. The company which makes Galaxy-D is not recommending its use in ferrets at this time. Rabies vaccination is a subject which should
be discussed with your veterinarian. With the advent of a safe and
effective USDA approved vaccine, I have been recommending rabies
vaccination. The only product currently licensed for use is Imrab
(Piman Moore Co.). Ferrets are initially vaccinated at 16 weeks
of age, and then boosted annually. It is important to know that
in California and many other jurisdictions, rabies vaccination is
not recognized as adequate protection to humans, and that ferrets
which bite people will be managed as wild animals. In other words,
these pets may be killed and examined for rabies by public health
officials if there is a human bite. |
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DISCLAIMER: Lane Area Ferret Lovers information
is not a substitute for veterinary care for your ferret! If
you are worried about the health of your ferret, or if you think
your ferret has a particular illness, we recommend that you contact
your local veterinarian. Lane Area Ferret Lovers present this data
as is, without any warranty of any kind, express or implied and
are not liable for mistakes, errors, omissions, or for the results
of any event that occurs based on direct reliance on this information. Much of the information on this page was provided by Cottage Veterinary Hospital, 1590 Boulevard Way (at Olympic Blvd.), Walnut Creek, California 94595, (925) 935-9080 |
