Selected Emerging Diseases in Ferrets

Abstract

Since their introduction as pets several decades ago, ferrets have become an increasingly popular household pet. Great strides have been made in improving their diet and understanding common diseases (eg, insulinoma, hyperadrenocorticism, lymphoma) that affect them. With the frequency with which these conditions are seen, it sometimes is easy to forget that ferrets can be affected by other diseases. Some of these diseases, such as cryptococcosis, are known, but may be increasing in incidence and range, whereas others, such as hypothyroidism and pure red cell aplasia, may be underrecognized or underreported. This review highlights new and emerging diseases not already well reviewed in the literature.

Ferrets as Sentinels of the Presence of Pathogenic Cryptococcus Species in the Mediterranean Environment

“…Information regarding hematological abnormalities in ferrets with cryptococcosis is scarce and shows inconsistent results [14]. The data collected from the three cases in the current study ( Table 2) only share abnormalities attributable to chronic disease (anemia, neutrophilia, lymphopenia).…”

“…A recently published review of cryptococcosis in ferrets gathered a total of 16 cases from 1954 to 2011 [14]. Of these, two cases came from Europe, one from the United Kingdom and the other from Spain [15], the latter corresponding to case number three in the current study.…”

“…Cryptococcosis in ferrets has been reported in areas where the presence of C. gattii has been extensively documented, such as Australia and Vancouver Island (Canada) [16,17]. Reports from other geographical areas are scarce [14]. The low number of cases in ferrets may be due to a real low incidence but also to the fact that ferrets became popular pets quite recently.…”

Biology and Diseases of Ferrets

“…As of 2013, there are 16 publications on this emergening disease (Wyre et al, 2013). As of 2013, there are 16 publications on this emergening disease (Wyre et al, 2013).…”

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE FOR THE ADVANCED IMAGING OF THE NORMAL NASAL CAVITY AND PARANASAL SINUSES OF THE KOALA (PHASCOLARCTOS CINEREUS)

“…1,4,6,14,17,18,26 Similar studies do not appear to have been published in ferrets although, as in the koala, cryptococcal granulomas and rhinitis have also been reported in this species. 16,28 There are no studies where MR images have been correlated to normal macroscopic anatomy or CT images in koalas. The objectives of this study are to describe CT and MR images of the normal anatomy of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), to provide reference figures for gross anatomy with corresponding CT and MR images, and to compare the features of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of the normal koala with that reported in other domestic species.…”