Post by headismooter on Mar 9, 2005 14:26:30 GMT -5
Unfortunately, as many ferret owners have come across-many veterinarians are not knowledgable about current diseases and ailments that can affect domesticated ferrets. Often, because of a lack of information recorded concerning unique cases, ferrets are misdiagnosed or treatment plans that maybe available are not pursued because concrete proceedures have not been documented in veterinarian literature. One of the main reasonings for this is a lack of necropsies performed. Most documents available have been composed over several years based on necropsy of pets. However, in the ferret community-necropsies are rarely performed. Most of the information available has been derived from research on mink and laboratory specimens which should not be classified in the same catagory as pet ferrets because the quality of care just isnt the same.
One of the most important determining factors into determining if a necropsy might be benefitial is if a ferret dies suddenly without displaying any signs prior to his/her death. A new viral disease is entering the ferret community which is affecting juvenile ferrets and if a necropsy is performed-histology (microscopic examination) of the organs can help introduce more information concerning this new virus and perhaps-with research-provide a vaccine that will be available for ALL ferrets.
Many times, a ferret is brought into a clinic with non-specific signs that can confuse the veterinarian. Radiographs of a ferret rarely will show anything besides a foreign body (even then it is difficult to see) and many viral diseases and bacterial infections will all have similar bloodwork results. Instead of being able to diagnose specifically-broad spectrum antibiotics are usually given. This can be dangerous with the increasing resistance of antibiotics.
Some conditions that have been found on necropsy that could have been confused with foreign bodies and the flu have been:
-bloat:sudden death! cultures of the stomach lining proved it was because of bacteria and not a foreign body
-M. Avium: a bacteria introduced by contaminated raw meat caused diarrhea. common treatment of flagyl proved useless but biopsy of the intestines allowed the client to have safe mind it wasnt contagious.
-Rotovirus: sudden death! profuse diarrhea is persistant despite treatment.
-heartworm: adults were not seen on radiograph, the patient died suddenly but on necropsy 10 adults were found in the right ventricle of the heart. each worm was roughly 10 cm. the size of the entire heart is not much larger.
in conclusion:
not a lot of information provided to veterinarians has been based on domesticated ferrets (i.e. your fuzzbutts) and unfortunately this can affect the treatment outcomes. viruses are expanding on a regular basis and without necropsies being performed to obtain histological reports-advances in vaccines (in particular for ADV and the new 'mystery disease') cannot be made. Each necropsy performed (particuarly in cases of unknown and sudden death) increases the knowlege of veterinarians thus improving the lives of ferrets everywhere.
One of the most important determining factors into determining if a necropsy might be benefitial is if a ferret dies suddenly without displaying any signs prior to his/her death. A new viral disease is entering the ferret community which is affecting juvenile ferrets and if a necropsy is performed-histology (microscopic examination) of the organs can help introduce more information concerning this new virus and perhaps-with research-provide a vaccine that will be available for ALL ferrets.
Many times, a ferret is brought into a clinic with non-specific signs that can confuse the veterinarian. Radiographs of a ferret rarely will show anything besides a foreign body (even then it is difficult to see) and many viral diseases and bacterial infections will all have similar bloodwork results. Instead of being able to diagnose specifically-broad spectrum antibiotics are usually given. This can be dangerous with the increasing resistance of antibiotics.
Some conditions that have been found on necropsy that could have been confused with foreign bodies and the flu have been:
-bloat:sudden death! cultures of the stomach lining proved it was because of bacteria and not a foreign body
-M. Avium: a bacteria introduced by contaminated raw meat caused diarrhea. common treatment of flagyl proved useless but biopsy of the intestines allowed the client to have safe mind it wasnt contagious.
-Rotovirus: sudden death! profuse diarrhea is persistant despite treatment.
-heartworm: adults were not seen on radiograph, the patient died suddenly but on necropsy 10 adults were found in the right ventricle of the heart. each worm was roughly 10 cm. the size of the entire heart is not much larger.
in conclusion:
not a lot of information provided to veterinarians has been based on domesticated ferrets (i.e. your fuzzbutts) and unfortunately this can affect the treatment outcomes. viruses are expanding on a regular basis and without necropsies being performed to obtain histological reports-advances in vaccines (in particular for ADV and the new 'mystery disease') cannot be made. Each necropsy performed (particuarly in cases of unknown and sudden death) increases the knowlege of veterinarians thus improving the lives of ferrets everywhere.
all my kids are doing well otter is getting real beefy feeling <winter weight?> and his coat is getting real soft not many noticeable changes overall,, new guy is getting big