Contributor: Cathy Johnson-Delaney, DVM

Quiz 

Test Your Knowledge: The Collapsed Ferret

The Collapsing Ferret webinar was reviewed and approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program for 1 hour of continuing education credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians in jurisdictions that recognize AAVSB RACE approval. You have three chances to take this post-test and pass. With a passing grade, you will see your results and a link to your continuing education certificate.

Article  Video  Webinar 

The Collapsing Ferret: More Than Insulinoma

View this webinar recording presented by Cathy Johnson-Delaney, RACE-approved for 2 credit hours. Clinicians are often presented with older ferrets exhibiting ataxia, intermittent collapse, exercise intolerance, changes in appetite, and/or muscle mass loss. This virtual master class explored the differential diagnoses for the collapsing ferret. Case reports illustrating other common reasons for the collapsing geriatric ferret were also discussed.

Article 

Adrenocortical Disease in Ferrets

Hyperadrenocorticism is a common and complex clinical condition in the pet ferret. This disease occurs most frequently in ferrets three years or older but has been reported in animals as young as one year of age. Presumptive diagnosis of adrenal disease in the ferret is based on history, clinical signs, imaging diagnostics, and steroid hormone analysis. Medical therapy using deslorelin implants, though not curative, is recommended. Ferrets may remain asymptomatic for a median of 1-1.5 years. Adrenalectomy may be indicated in case non-responsiveness to medical treatment, although adrenalectomy of the right adrenal gland is difficult.

Article 

Coronavirus in Animals: Implications for Veterinary Staff

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses named for the crown-like spike proteins on their surface. Coronaviruses cause disease in humans and animals, often circulating among camels, cats, and bats. Ferrets are susceptible to infection by the SARS coronavirus (SARS-COv-1), but pathogenicity and host susceptibility can differ based on the viral infective dose and laboratory SARS coronavirus strain. Studies are ongoing to investigate the respiratory pathology and transmission of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in experimental ferrets.

Article  Information sheet 

Basic Information Sheet: Virginia Opossum

The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. This New World species is correctly called an “opossum” as opposed to the Old World “possum”. This information sheet reviews natural history, conservation status, and taxonomy, as well as a number of clinically relevant information including (but not limited to) diet, housing, behavior, normal physiologic data and anatomy, restraint, preventive medicine, zoonoses, and important medical conditions seen in the opossum.

Article 

Sugar Glider Disease Update: “Ick”

“Ick”: An emerging disease – A disease syndrome has recently been observed in sugar gliders that includes diarrhea, anorexia, wet, “sticky” joeys, pouch exudate, and joey deaths. The furred, but still largely pouch-dwelling joeys appear poorly groomed or are covered with tacky mucus. Clinically, the joeys are lethargic, dehydrated, with evidence of diarrhea. Some adults appear to be asymptomatic, although mild diarrhea has been noted in many cases.

Article  Presenting Problem 

Presenting problem: Pouch Infection and Mastitis in Sugar Gliders

The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea. Although sugar gliders lack marsupial bones, also known as epipubic bones or pelvic ribs, female gliders or “dams” possess a pouch or marsupium. Like all marsupials, the glider gives birth to a fetus, which completes development inside the pouch…

Article  Presenting Problem 

Presenting problem: Self-Mutilation in Sugar Gliders

Self-mutilation is sometimes observed in isolated sugar gliders or in situations causing social stress. Improper groupings are common in captivity as pet owners often combine a male with one or two females, without realizing that not all individuals get along…

Cathy Johnson-Delaney, DVM

Cathy Johnson-Delaney has practiced avian, exotic companion mammal, and laboratory animal medicine in Washington State for more than 45 years. A founding member and board director of the Washington Ferret Rescue & Shelter, she is also a Past President of both the Association of Avian Veterinarians and the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians and currently serves on the AEMV Board. Dr. Johnson-Delaney is Assistant and Language Editor of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, moderator for the Exotic DVM Forum, and principal author and editor of the 2017 textbook Ferret Medicine and Surgery.

Article 

Gastrointestinal Disease in the Ferret

The ferret is a carnivore with a short, simple gastrointestinal tract and a relatively rapid gastrointestinal transit time. Diarrhea is the most common clinical sign in ferrets with gastrointestinal disease, with the exception of gastrointestinal foreign bodies where anorexia and weight loss are the primary presenting complaints.

Client Education Handout 

Insulinoma in the Ferret

This Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians client education handout provides a comprehensive overview of insulinoma, an abnormal growth of the pancreas that secretes excess amounts of insulin. Unfortunately, insulinoma is an extremely common disease of middle-aged to older ferrets in some nations. Client education is crucial for owners of affected ferrets. Teach owners to recognize signs of hypoglycemia and to prevent hypoglycemic episodes from occurring. Owners must also recognize situations that can precipitate a hypoglycemic crisis and take measures to minimize stressors whenever possible. Additional preventive measures are also explored.

Client Education Handout 

Adrenal Disease in the Ferret

Adrenocortical disease is a common endocrine disorder in middle-aged to older ferrets. This Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians client education handout answers several questions for the ferret owner:  What is the adrenal gland? What causes adrenocortical disease? What are the clinical signs of adrenal disease? How can adrenal disease be diagnosed and treated? And finally, why should I treat adrenal disease and what can be done to prevent this medical condition?