Diseases of Ferrets PAT 707, Pathology of Laboratory Animals II Prepared by Trenton R. Schoeb Department of Comparative Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham Winter Quarter 1989-90 Canine Distemper 1. Etiology: Canine distemper virus, a paramyxovirus. 2. Epizootiology: Transmitted via aerosol, fomites, contact. Incubation 7-14 days. Morbidity and mortality approach 100%. The most important disease of ferrets. 3. Clinical signs: 7-10 days: Swollen and watery or crusty eyes, nasal discharge. 10-12 days: Skin rash, most prominent under chin and in inguinal areas; foot pad hyperkeratosis. 12-25 days: CNS signs (hyperexcitability, salivation, tremors, convulsions, coma) and death. 4. Pathology: Similar to canine distemper. 5. Diagnosis: Signs and lesions. 6. Control: Keep dogs away, quarantine all new stock 50 days, maintain vaccination program. 7. References: Baumgartner W, Krakowka S, Gorham JR. 1989. Canine parainfluenza virus-induced encephalitis in ferrets. J Comp Pathol 100:67-76. Brown HR et al. 1985. Localization of measles virus antigens in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in ferrets. Lab Anim Sci 35:233-237. Groelke JW et al. 1986. Virus contamination and cytopathology of ferret tracheal epithelial cells in culture caused by vaccination with distemper virus. Lab Anim Sci 36:527-528. Hoover JP, Baldwin CA, Rupprecht CE. 1989. Serologic response of domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) to canine distemper and rabies virus vaccines. J Am Vet Med Assoc 194:234-238. Thorman H, Brown HR. 1987. Animal model of human subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: Subacute measles virus encephalitis in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Comp Pathol Bull 19:2. Thormar H et al. 1985. Measles virus encephalitis in ferrets as a model for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Lab Anim Sci 35:229-232. Williams ES et al. 1988. Canine distemper in black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) from Wyoming. J Wildl Dis 24:385-398. Aleutian Disease 1. Etiology: Parvovirus. 2. Epizootiology: Uncertain. Acquired from mink? 3. Clinical: Usually subclinical, but some develop hyper gammaglobulinemia, proteinuria, cachexia, and dark, tarry feces. 4. Pathology: Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys; lymph node hyperplasia. 5. Diagnosis: Signs, lesions, serum immunoelectrophoresis. 6. Control: Keep away from mink? 7. References: Parrish CR et al. 1987. Comparisons of feline panleukopenia virus, canine parvovirus, raccoon parvovirus, and mink enteritis virus and their pathogenicity for mink and ferrets. Am J Vet Res 48:1429-1435. Porter HG, Porter DD, Larsen AE. 1982. Aleutian disease in ferrets. Infect Immun 36:379-386. Porter DD et al. 1987. Restricted viral antibody specificity in many ferrets infected with the ferret Aleutian disease parvovirus. Arch Virol 93:155-162. Veijalainen PM et al. Latex agglutination test for detecting feline panleukopenia virus, canine parvovirus, and parvoviruses of fur animals. J Clin Microbiol 32:556-559. Other Viruses 1. Feline leukemia: Some are serologically positive, but no disease. 2. Pseudorabies: Experimentally susceptible, but no reported natural disease. Veijalainen P, et al. 1982. The incidence of Aujeszky's disease in Finland. Nord Vet Med 34:133-155. 3. Rotavirus. Torres-Medina A. 1987. Isolation of an atypical rotavirus causing diarrhea in neonatal ferrets. Lab Anim Sci 37:167-171. Salmonellosis 1. Etiology: Salmonella enteritidis, usually serotype typhimurium. 2. Epizootiology: As in other species; transmitted via fecal-oral route; carriers important. 3. Clinical: Conjunctivitis, weight loss with or without diarrhea. 4. Pathology: Enterocolitis; multifocal necrotizing to pyogranulomatous lesions in liver and spleen. 5. Diagnosis: Signs and lesions plus culture and serotyping. 6. Control: Sacrifice affected animals; sanitation and management. Proliferative Colitis 1. Cause: Unidentified Campylobacter-like organism. 2. Epizootiology: Uncertain. Probably have carriers; may constitute hazard for other animals. 3. Clinical: Mucohemorrhagic diarrhea, rectal prolapse, dehy dration. 4. Pathology: Proliferative colitis. 5. Diagnosis: Signs and lesions, Warthin-Starry stain, EM. 6. Control: Probably will have to sacrifice affected groups because can't eliminate carriers. 7. References: Fox JG et al. 1982. Proliferative colitis in ferrets. Am J Vet Res 43:858-864. Fox JG et al. 1986. Proliferative colitis in a pet ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 189:1475- 1476. Fox JG et al. 1989. Proliferative colitis in ferrets: epithelial dysplasia and translocation. Vet Pathol 26:515-517. Fox JG, Lawson GHK. 1988. Campylobacter-like omega intracellular antigen in proliferative colitis of ferrets. Lab Anim Sci 38:34-36. Krueger KL, Murphy JC, Fox JG. 1989. Treatment of proliferative colitis in ferrets. J Am Vet Med Assoc 194:1435-1436. Campylobacter Infections 1. Agents: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter pylori 2. Disease: Ferrets are experimentally susceptible to C. jejuni, and C. pylori infections have been reported. The significance of these organisms as causes of natural disease is unclear. 3. References: Fox JG, Ackerman JI, Newcomer CE. 1983. Ferrets as a potential reservoir for human campylobacteriosis. Am J Vet Res 44:1049-1052. Fox JG et al. 1986. Campylobacter-like organisms isolated from gastric mucosa of ferrets. Am J Vet Res 47:236-239. Fox JG et al. 1987. Campylobacter jejuni infection in the ferret: An animal model of human campylobacteriosis. Am J Vet Res 48:85-90. Fox JG et al. 1988. Gastric colonization by Campylobacter pylori subsp. mustelae in ferrets. Infect Immun 56:2994-2996. Taylor NS et al. 1989. Diversity of serotypes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated in laboratory animals. Lab Anim Sci 39:219-221. Mastitis 1. Agent: Hemolytic Escherichia coli and other bacteria. 2. Epizootiology and pathogenesis: Unclear. 3. Clinical: Swollen mammary glands, often with purple or black overlying skin, may ooze serosanguinous fluid or ulcerate. Usually fatal. 4. Pathology: Necrotizing to fibrinopurulent mastitis and cellulitis. 5. Diagnosis: Lesions and culture. 6. Control: Unknown. 7. Reference: Liberson AJ et al. 1983. Mastitis caused by hemolytic Escherichia coli in the ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 183:1179-1181. Tuberculosis 1. Agents: Human, bovine, and avian mycobacteria. 2. Epizootiology: Probably transmitted primarily by ingestion (contaminated diets). 3. Clinical: Wasting usually without specific signs. 4. Pathology: Primarily gastrointestinal and abdominal granu lomatous lymphadenitis. 5. Diagnosis: Histopathology, acid fast stain, culture. 6. Control: Prevent exposure, sacrifice affected animals. Botulism 1. Agents: Clostridium botulinum, primarily type C but also A and B. 2. Epizootiology: Toxin produced in spoiled foods. 3. Clinical: Dysphagia, salivation, incoordination, stiffness, paresis, paralysis, death. 4. Pathology: No lesions. 5. Diagnosis: Signs, feeding spoiled diet, toxin demonstration. 6. Control: Feed proper diet. Other Bacterial Infections 1. Agents: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Corynebacterium spp. 2. Disease: Subcutaneous and mammary gland abscesses, infected bite wounds, genital infections in females in prolonged estrus, oral infections secondary to trauma. Miscellaneous Bacterial Infections Susceptible to tularemia and brucellosis, and can harbor and transmit Listeria monocytogenes. Young may be susceptible to Aeromonas septicemia. Hiruma M et al. 1986. Focal hepatic necrosis in young ferrets infected with Aeromonas species. Nippon Juigaku Zasshi 48:159-162. Fungal Diseases Dermatophytosis (Microsporum canis), cryptococcosis, and others. Greenlee PG, Stephens E. 1984. Meningeal cryptococcosis and congestive cardiomyopathy in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 184:840-841. Lenhard A. 1985. Blastomycosis in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 186:70-72. Lewington JH. 1982. Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from a ferret (letter). Aust Vet J 58:124. Skulski G, Symmers WStC. 1954. Actinomycosis and torulosis in the ferret. J Comp Pathol 64:306-311. Protozoal Diseases Cryptosporidium sp. infection can be prevalent in a colony. It does not appear to be very pathogenic. Coccidiosis and toxoplasmosis are uncommon to rare problems. Rehg JE, Gigliotti F, Stokes DC. 1988. Cryptosporidiosis in ferrets. Lab Anim Sci 38:155-158. Metazoan Parasites 1. Sarcoptes scabiei. Mange mite. Feet and face or less common generalized form. 2. Otodectes cynotis. Ear mites. 3. Ctenocephalides sp. Fleas. 4. Dirofilaria immitis. Canine heartworms. No signs to respiratory distress, ascites, death. Campbell WC, Blair LS. 1978. Dirofilaria immitis: Experimental infections in the ferret. J Parasitol 64:119-122. Campbell WC, Blair LS. 1979. Brugia phalangi and Dirofilaria immitis experimental infections in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Exp Parasitol 47:327-322. Hines SA et al. 1989. Lymphatic filariasis. Brugia malayi infection in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Am J Pathol 134:1373-1376. Miller WR, Merton DA. 1982. Dirofilariasis in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 180:1103- 1104. Moreland AF et al. 1986. Dirofilariasis in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 188:864. Parrott TY, Creiner EC, Parrott JD. 1984. Dirofilaria immitis infection in three ferrets. J Am Vet Med Assoc 184:582-583. Nutritional Diseases 1. Low protein intake from long term feeding of less than best quality cat food can lead to poor reproductive performance. 2. Vitamin E deficiency can result from diets high in unsaturated fats (fish). Yellow fat, steatitis, anemia, urinary incontinence, paresis, hemorrhagic diathesis. Metabolic Diseases 1. Anemia of prolonged estrus. Ferrets are induced ovulators; if not bred estrus can persist long enough for chronic high estrogen to result in bone marrow depression. Also can be thrombocytopenic which can lead to gastrointestinal, cutaneous, and mucous membrane hemorrhages. PCV can be less than 10% and the platelet count under 20,000/mm3. Preferred treatment is ovariohysterectomy, but can induce ovulation with 100 IU HCG. Bernard SL et al. 1983. Estrogen-induced bone marrow depression in ferrets. Am J Vet Res 44:657-661. Kociba GJ, Caputo CA. 1981. Aplastic anemia associated with estrus in pet ferrets. J Am Vet Med Assoc 178:1293-1294. Ryland LM. 1982. Remission of estrus-associated anemia following ovariohysterectomy and multiple blood transfusions in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 181:820-822. Sherrill A, Gorham J. 1985. Bone marrow hypoplasia associated with estrus in ferrets. Lab Anim Sci 35:280-286. 2. "Pregnancy toxemia," lactation failure, and cannibalism of sucklings can be prevented by feeding pregnant jills adequate diet with vitamin and mineral supplement. 3. Pseudopregnancy is common if fertilization fails and in estrous females housed together. 4. "Nursing sickness" (weakness, weight loss, incoordination): dietary NaCl deficiency; prevent by feeding 0.5% salt in diet in summer (May-July). 5. Bilaterally symmetrical alopecia of abdomen and tail in jills is hormonal and usually disappears after breeding season or ovulation. 6. Hair loss also can result from feeding diets with lots (10%) of raw egg because the avidin in the eggs causes biotin deficiency. 7. Urolithiasis. "Struvite," same as in cats. May be incontinent or obstructed. 8. Diabetes mellitus. Low incidence, spontaneous. Congenital and Inherited Anomalies Anencephaly, hemivertebra, neuroschisis, amelia, etc. Dillberger JE. 1985. Polycystic kidneys in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 186:74-75. Neoplasms Ovarian leiomyomas, squamous cell carcinoma, lymphosarcoma, etc. A condition called "enzootic malignant granulomatosis" can affect up to 10-12% of a population. No specific signs; infiltrating granulomatous lesions in mesenteric and abdominal lymph nodes. Allison N, Rakich P. 1988. Chordoma in two ferrets. J Comp Pathol 98:371-374. Altman NH, Lamborn PB. 1984. Lymphocytic leukemia in a ferret (Mustela furo). Vet Pathol 21:361-362. Chesterman FC, Pomerance A. 1965. Spontaneous neoplasms in ferrets and polecats. J Pathol Bacteriol 89:529-533. Chowdury KA, Shillinger RB. 1982. Spontaneous megakaryocytic myelosis in a four year-old domestic ferret (Mustela furo). Vet Pathol 19:561-564. Cross BM. 1987. Hepatic vascular neoplasms in a colony of ferrets. Vet Pathol 24:94-96. Dillberger JE, Altman NH. 1989. Neoplasia in ferrets: eleven cases with a review. J Comp Pathol 100:161-176. Hendrick MJ, Goldschmidt MH. 1987. Chondrosarcoma of the tail of ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Vet Pathol 24:272-273. Jensen WA. 1985. Osteoma in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 187:1375-1376. Jergens AE, Shaw DP. 1989. Hyperinsulinism and hypoglycemia associated with pancreatic islet cell tumor in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 194:269-271. Kaufman H, Schwarz P, Mero K. 1984. Pancreatic beta cell tumor in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 185:998-1000. Lumeij JT et al. 1987. Hypoglycemia due to a functional pancreatic islet cell tumor (insulinoma) in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Vet Rec 120:129-130. Luttgen PJ et al. 1986. Insulinoma in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 189:920-921. Meschter CL. 1989. Interstitial cell adenoma in a ferret. Lab Anim Sci 39:353-354. Methiypun S et al. 1985. Spontaneous plasma cell myeloma in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Vet Pathol 22:517-519. Miller TA et al. 1985. Recurrent adenocarcinoma in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 187:839-841. Olsen GH, Turk MAM, Foil CS. 1985. Disseminated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 186:702-703. Poonacha KB, Hutto VL. 1984. Cutaneous mastocytoma in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 185:442. Smith SH, Bishop SP. 1985. Diagnostic exercise: Lymphoproliferative disorder in a ferret. Lab Anim Sci 35:291-293. Miscellaneous and General References Andrews PLR, Illman O, Mellersh A. 1979. Some observations of anatomical abnormalities and disease states in a population of 350 ferrets (Mustela furo L). Versuchstierkunde 21:346-353. Deshmukh DR. 1987. Animal model of human disease. Hyperammonemia in ferrets (Reye's-like syndrome). Comp Pathol Bull 19:2. Dillberger JE. Polycystic kidneys in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 186:74-75. Ferguson DC. 1985. Idiopathic hypersplenism in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 186:693-695. Fox JG et al. 1987. Hyperadrenocorticism in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 191:343-344. Fox JG. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 1988. Frederick KA, Babish JG. 1985. Compendium of recent literature on the ferret. Lab Anim Sci 35:298-318. Greenlee PG, Stephens E. 1984. Meningeal cryptococcosis and congestive cardiomyopathy in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 184:840-841. Hahn EW, Wester RC: The Biomedical Use of Ferrets in Research. Marshall Research Animals Inc, North Rose, NY, 1969. Koshimizu K, Kotani H, Syukyda Y. 1982. Isolation of mycoplasmas from experimental ferrets (Mustela putorius). Jikken Dobutsu 31:299-302. Lee EJ et al. 1982. Hematological and serum chemistry profiles of ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Lab Anim 16:133-137. Lipman NS et al. 1987. Clinical, functional, and pathologic changes associated with a case of dilatative cardiomyopathy in a ferret. Lab Anim Sci 37:210-212. Manning DD, Bell JA. 1990. Derivation of gnotobiotic ferrets: perinatal diet and hand- rearing requirements. Lab Anim Sci 40:51-55. Marini RP, Adkins JA, Fox JG. 1989. Proven or potential zoonotic diseases of ferrets. J Am Vet Med Assoc 195:990-994. McLain DE et al. 1985. Congenital malformations and variations in reproductive performance in the ferret: Effects of maternal age, color, and parity. Lab Anim Sci 35:251-255. Miller PE, Pickett JP. 1989. Zygomatic salivary gland mucocele in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 194:1437-1438. Niemi SM et al. 1984. Neurological syndrome in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Vet Rec 114:455-456. Pearson RC et al. 1987. Ferrets in biomedical research. Comp Pathol Bull 19:1. Reindel JF, Evans MG. 1987. Cystic mucinous hyperplasia in the gallbladder of a ferret. J Comp Pathol 97:601-604. Ryland LM, Gorham JR. 1978. The ferret and its diseases. J Am Vet Med Assoc 173:1154-1158.