Presenting problem: Urethral Obstruction in the Ferret

Urethral obstruction is an important reason for emergency presentation of the male ferret. If not corrected, obstruction can result in severe metabolic disturbances, coma, and death.

Signs of complete urethral obstruction are usually not very subtle. Ferrets may strain violently or cry when attempting to urinate. Owners may misinterpret the straining observed as “constipation”, and tenesmus may even lead to diarrhea in some cases. Occasionally, a ferret with blockage will present for lethargy, weakness, anorexia, and even collapse without obvious signs of dysuria although the urinary bladder will be . . .


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References

Brown C, Pollock C. Urethral catheterization of the male ferret for treatment of urinary tract obstruction. Lab Anim: 40(1):19-20, 2011.

Fisher PG. Ferrets: urogenital and reproductive system disorders. In Keeble E, Meredith A, eds. BSAVA Manual of Rodents and Ferrets. In press.

Jasani S. Saunders Solutions in Veterinary Practice: Small Animal Emergency Medicine. Elsevier, St. Louis, 2010.

Lennox AM, Lichtenberger M. A new type of urinary catheter for catheterization of the male ferret. Exotic DVM 10:5-6, 2008.

Lichtenberger M. Treatment of urinary obstruction in the male ferret. Proc Annual Meet International Conf Exotics pp 26-30, 2006.

Marini RP, Esteves MI, Fox JG. A technique for catherization of the urinary bladder in the ferret. Lab Anim 28:155-157, 1994.

Nolte DM, Carberry CA, Gannon KM, Boren FC. Temporary tube cystostomy as a treatment for urinary obstruction secondary to adrenal disease in four ferrets. J Am An Hosp Assoc 38:527-532, 2003.

Orcutt CJ. Treatment of urogenital disease in ferrets. Exotic DVM 3:31-37, 2001.

Pollock CG. Urogenital diseases. In Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW (eds). Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 2003, pp 41-49.

Smarick S. Urinary catheterization. In: Small Animal Critical Care Medicine. Silverstein DC, Hopper K (eds). Saunders, St. Louis, 2009. Pp. 603-606.

To cite this page:

Pollock C. Presenting problem: Urethral obstruction in the ferret. April 23, 2011. LafeberVet Web site. Available at  https://lafeber.com/vet/presenting-problem-urethral-obstruction-in-the-ferret/