Ferret Medicine and Surgery

Edited by Cathy Johnson-Delaney, Edmonds, Washington, USA

General Information
Laboratory Animal

Normative Data Including Coat Colours
Normative Data
Classifications

Applied Clinical Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction
The Adrenal Glands
The Brain
Dental Anatomy and Physiology
Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Physiology
Liver and Gallbladder
Exocrine Pancreas and Biliary System
Heart and Cardiovascular
Integument
Musculoskeletal
Skull
Reproductive Tract
Respiratory Tract
Special Senses
The Spleen
Thymus
Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands
Urinary Tract

Ferret Behaviour, Housing and Husbandry
Introduction
Behaviour
Training and Dealing with Behavioural Problems
Introducing New Ferrets
Social Interactions with Humans and Other Species
Housing and Husbandry

Nutrition
Introduction
Water
Commercial Diets
Food Considerations
Specific Nutritional Requirements
Minerals and Vitamins
Selecting a Complete Diet for a Pet Ferret
Physiological States that Require Special Nutrition

Reproduction Biology
Introduction
Photoperiods and Effect on Reproduction
Breeding
Whelping
Lactation
Weaning

Medical History
Introduction
Transport
Handling and Restraint
Examination
Checklist

Ferret Preventive Care
Introduction
Reproductive Control
Vaccination
Role of Health Checks and Routine Tests
Pet Passports (Europe)
Parasite Control
Biosecurity
Ferret Home Health Kit

Clinical Techniques
Introduction
Injection Techniques
Oral Dosing Techniques
Venipuncture
Intravenous Catheterisation
Intraosseous Catheterisation
Blood Transfusion
Saliva Collection
Imaging
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Abdominocentesis
Urine Collection
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collection
Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
Ear Cleaning
Teeth Cleaning
Nail Trim

Emergency Care
Introduction
Triage
Euthanasia
Basic Needs
Sedation
Fluid Therapy
Treatment of Shock
Emergency Drug Doses
Specific Syndromes
Critical Nutrition

Disorders of the Cardiovascular System
Introduction
Clinical Presentation
Diagnostic Testing for Disease
General Management of Cardiac Disease
Congenital Heart Disease
Acquired Heart Disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dirofilariasis (Heartworm Disease)
Endocarditis
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis
Neoplasia
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Valvular Disease (Acquired) or Endocardiosis
Pericardial Effusion and Pericarditis
Cardiac Arrhythmias and Conduction Disturbances
Hypertension

Disorders of the Digestive System and Liver
Introduction
Anatomy of the Digestive System
Physiology of the Digestive System
Vomiting and Diarrhoea
Other Clinical Signs
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Coccidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis
Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE)
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)
Gastric Hair Balls/Trichobezoars
Gastroenteritis by Helicobacter Mustelae
Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies
Giardiasis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Megaoesophagus
Proliferative Bowel Disease
Rectal Prolapse
Rotavirus
Systemic Diseases Producing Gastrointestinal Signs
Liver and Gallbladder
Neoplasia

Disorders of the Endocrine System
Introduction
Diseases of the Adrenal Gland
Other Anomalies Related to the Adrenal Gland
Diseases of the Pancreas
Diabetes Mellitus
Diseases of the Thyroid Gland
Diseases of the Parathyroid Gland
Reproductive Endocrine Diseases

Disorders of the Ears and Eyes
Ears
Aural Haematoma
Deafness
Ear Mites
Otitis Externa, Media, Interna
Neoplasia
Trauma to Pinnae
Eyes
Cataracts
Congenital Ocular Defects
Corneal Dermoids
Microphthalmia
Conjunctivitis
Distichiasis
Entropion
Exophthalmos
Glaucoma
Keratitis
Lymphoma of Glans Nictitans, Adnexa, Conjunctival Tissue
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Pyogranulomatous Panophthalmitis Due to Coronavirus
Retinal Disease
Trauma
Uveitis

Disorders of the Haemic, Immunological and Lymphatic
Systems
Introduction
Aleutian Disease
Anaemia
Ferret Haemorrhagic Syndrome
Ferret Systemic Coronavirus
Lymphoma/Lymphosarcoma
Disorders of the Spleen

Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System
Introduction
Ataxia, Posterior Paresis
Chondrosarcoma
Congenital Malformations
Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Disseminated Idiopathic Myofasciitis
Fractures
Intervertebral Disc Disease
L-Carnitine Deficiency Weakness
Lymphoma, Myeloma, and Leukaemia of the Bone
Myasthenia Gravis
Neoplasia (Spinal Tumours, Bone Tumours) Other than Lymphoma

Disorders of the Nervous System
Introduction
Neurological Exam
Neurological Diseases
Infectious Disease: Bacterial
Infectious Disease: Fungal
Infectious Disease: Parasitic
Infectious Disease: Viral
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Neoplasia
Toxicosis
Trauma

Disorders of the Oral Cavity and Teeth
Introduction
Dental Prophylaxis
The Dental Examination
Dental Surgery
Dental Diseases
Oral Disorders

Disorders of the Respiratory System
Anatomy and Physiology Review
Evaluation of the Respiratory System
Canine Distemper
Influenza
Bacterial Pneumonia
Mycoplasmosis
Cryptococcosis
Other Fungal Pneumonias
Respiratory Disease Secondary to Cardiac Disease
Heartworm
Other Respiratory Conditions

Disorders of the Skin
Introduction
Abscess/Wounds
Alopecia
Atopy
Blue Ferret Syndrome
Burns
Dermatophytosis
Ectoparasites
Erythema Multiforme (EM)
Hypersensitivity (See Atopy Above)
Neoplasia
Pyoderma (Bacterial Dermatitis)
Viral: Canine Distemper

Disorders of the Urogenital System
Reproductive Tract General Notes
Agalactia
Congenital Abnormalities
Dystocia
Mammary Gland Hyperplasia
Mastitis
Metritis
Neoplasia
Oestrus Unbred Aplastic Anaemia
Penile Lesions
Postparturient Hypocalcaemia
Pregnancy Toxaemia
Preputial Lesions
Prostatic Lesions: See Urinary Section
Pseudopregnancy
Pyometra and Mucometra
Vaginitis
Urinary Tract

Miscellaneous Conditions
Introduction
Cryptococcosis
Gyrovirus
Hepatitis E
Histoplasmosis
Mycobacteriosis
Pseudomonas Luteola

Analgesia and Anaesthesia
Introduction
Analgesia
Sedation and Anaesthesia
Postoperative Considerations
Postanaesthetic Complications
Postoperative Analgesia

Common Surgical Procedures
Introduction
Surgical Principles in the Ferret
Castration
Cryptorchid
Vasectomy
Exploratory Coeliotomy
Nephrectomy
Splenectomy
Ovariohysterectomy
Left Adrenalectomy
Right Adrenalectomy
Insulinoma
Cystotomy
Prostatic (Paraurethral) Cyst Reduction
Gastrotomy/Enterotomy
Lymph Node Biopsy
Surgical Biopsy
Lumpectomy
Orthopaedic Surgery
Amputation
Anal Sacculectomy
Rectal Prolapse

Paediatrics
Normal Kits: Growth and Biology
Rearing
Paediatric Disorders
Other Complications

Geriatrics
What to Do and When to Stop
Medical Conditions of Geriatric Ferrets
Dietary Considerations
Husbandry Considerations
Doing What’s Best for the Ferret
Conclusions


Toxicology
Introduction
Acetominophen (Paracetomol)
Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Bromethalin
Chocolate
Cleaning Products (Including Bleaches, Soaps, Shampoos)
Ibuprofen
Insecticides
Paints
Topical Flea Products
Toxic Plants
Venlafaxine (Effexor, Ny, Ny)
Xylitol

Formulary
Appendices