1. The Ferret
Mustela putorius furo

2. Terminology
Jill/sprite
Hob/gib
Kit/kindling

3. TPR Temperature- 100-104 Pulse- 180-250 bpm
Respiratory breaths per minute
Gestation- 42 days

4. Unique Anatomy Sebaceous glands produce odor
Anal sac removal and neutering
Heart located somewhat caudal of other species
Unusual gait
Gait is a slinky action

5. Reproduction Seasonal breeders- day length over 12 hrs
Induced ovulation
Mothers with babies can be aggressive
Males in season may fight
Most all ferrets in US are neutered at a young age

6. Diet
Obligate carnivores
Raw meats
Commercial diets

7. Weapons Teeth Toenails, not retractable
Rarely bite unless very distressed, however if they do, they may not let go. Hold under running water to get them to release.
May hiss to warn before biting.

8. Restraint “Flexible” Pick up by supporting chest area and hindquarters
Scruff, support rear, hold above table
Lay along arm/stretch
Distraction by feeding
Burrito
Watch for hyperthermia
Your pocket
Pet ferrets rarely bite
Can be hard to hold onto so scruffing becomes very helpful
Don’t over restrain hind legs- many ferrets object
Distraction may be best restraint- put Nutrical or such on abdomen and they will lick it off
Panting will warn of overheating- immediately cool
Only towel wrap for short periods because of hyperthermia possibility

9. Venipuncture Hold head in hand with thumb and forefinger on mandible
Lateral saphenous or cephalic for 1ml
Larger volumes:
Jugular (can be difficult); restraint requires two handlers
Anterior vena cava (under anesthesia)
Jugular draw- hold sternal over table edge; dorsal- use methods similar to cat
Because of SQ neck fat & thick skin may not be possible
Two restrainer, one for front one for hind
Anterior vena cava under anesthesia, or without in debilitated animal but must stay very still

10. Husbandry Predators- Carnivores Housemates- dogs and cats
rabbits and rodents
Cages large enough to stretch- free time in ferret proofed house
Will use litter boxes
Sleeping enclosure/blankets
Feed ferret kibbles free choice
Water in bottles
Neutered animals can live in colonies
Legalities
Don’t leave unsupervised- dogs in particular are stimulated to attack
Rabbits and rodents are natural food- can actually be fed if whole
Ferret proofing- chair springs/ recliners; refrigerator motors; holes in which to hide or to escape through (ferrets as boat rodent control)
Loose shavings etc in cage can cause chronic URI
If ferret kibble unavailable- high quality cat food is okay- 30%plus protein
Water in bottles to minimize playing

11. Common Procedures
Ear cleaning
Nail trims
Baths

12. Medicating PO- best in liquid- do not scruff as cannot swallow
SQ- scruff
IM- quads and semimembranous IP
IV- cephalic, saphenous, jugular
Don’t scruff while dosing as they cannot swallow while scruffed
Like sweets, milk products, yogurt, ice cream so good for hiding meds
Capsules and pills often to large a dose and hard to break to proper size- then often are still refused

13. Parasites Heartworm Fleas-Ctenocephalides felis
Ear mites- Otodectes cynotis
Gastrointestinal- rare except for coccidia

14. Zoonoses Influenza- transmitted between humans and ferrets
Do not work with ferrets if you have any flu symptoms and counsel clients to take similar precautions
Most will recover in 5-10 days without treatment

15. Disease Canine distemper Differentiate from influenza
Nearly always fatal without vaccinations
Must use ferret approved vaccine
Similar symptoms-respiratory disease-nasal & ocular discharge, coughing and sneezing

16. Disease Persistent estrus- causes estrogen toxicity Alopecia Lethargy
Dyspnea
Vomiting and diarrhea
Vulvar swelling
Petechia
Bone marrow suppression and death

17. Disease Hyperadrenocorticism Adrenal tumors Alopecia
Vulvar swelling/ increased agitation while urinating
Increased aggression
Related to neutering?
TX: adrenalectomy, melatonin implants, hormone therapy
Many theorize this is related to early nueters but European animals are neutered later and still develop it.

18. Disease Insulinoma (cancer of the pancreas) Lymphoma
Lethargy, seizures, ultimately death
TX: surgical excision of cancerous lobes, steroids
Congestive cardiomyopathy
Lymphoma
Juvenile
Adult

19. Vaccines Canine Distemper Rabies
approved rabies vaccine for ferrets is Imrab 3 (Merial).

20. References
Clinical Textbook For Veterinary Technicians by McCurnin and Bassert
BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets by Meredith and Redrobe
Principles and Practices For Veterinary Technicians by Sirois
ALAT Training Manual by AALAS
Laboratory Animal Medicine by Sirois

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