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Biology and Diseases of the Laboratory Ferret

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Biology and Diseases of the Laboratory Ferret DISCLAIMER Biology and Diseases of the • This is not an ACLAM sanctioned presentation Laboratory Ferret • All information is deemed reliable and correct • No warranty for accuracy • No information presented is known to be specifically NCALAM Workshop in Laboratory Animal Medicine included in the ACLAM Board examinations May 19, 2017 Slide credit: Chandra D. Williams, DVM, DACLAM, CPIA Who am I? Allison Rogala, DVM, DACLAM DISCLAIMER References • Photo credits are provided within the document. • Laboratory Animal Medicine, 3rd Edition, Edited by Fox, Anderson, Otto, • Product photos are from online vendor catalogs and DO NOT Pritchett‐Corning, Whary represent an endorsement of the product by the presenter. • Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, 3rd Edition, Edited by Fox and Marini Species Categories “what level of detail do I need to know?” Based on mean importance ratings from the Role Delineation Study, the suggested species were classified as primary, secondary and tertiary. Below is the list by category. Category Species Primary Mouse (Mus musculus) Primary Rat (Rattus norvegicus) Primary Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Primary Macaques (Macaca spp). Primary Dog (Canis familiaris) Primary Pig (Sus scrofa) Secondary Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Secondary African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis) Secondary Cat (Felis domestica) Secondary Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) Secondary Ferret (Mustela putorius furo) Secondary Squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) Secondary Sheep (Ovis aries) Secondary Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) Secondary Baboon (Papio spp.) Secondary Marmoset/tamarins (Callitrichidae) Secondary Gerbil (Meriones spp.) Secondary Goat (Capra hircus) Tertiary Other rodents Tertiary Chicken (Gallus domestica) Tertiary Other nonhuman primates Tertiary Other mammals Tertiary Pigeon (Columba livia) Tertiary Other amphibians Tertiary Other livestock species including cattle and horses Tertiary Other Fish Tertiary Reptiles Tertiary Other birds Tertiary species Secondary species: Primary species Tertiary Invertebrates Ferrets 1 Taxonomy Other Members • Mustelidae • Smallest member (25g): Least weasel, Mustela nivalis • Mustelinae is the subfamily • Genus Mustela (weasels, mink , ferrets) • Largest member (45kg): Sea otter, Enhydra lutris • 5 subgenera • Mustela (weasels) • Lutreola (European mink) • Vison (American mink) • Putorius (Ferrets) • Grammogale (South American Weasels) • Genus Martes (martens) • Ancient family • Dates back to the Eocene period, ~40 million years ago • Primitive characteristics • Small size, stocky legs, five toes/foot, elongated braincase, short rostrum Least Weasel, Photography on the Net Sea otter, Google images Mustela putorius furo Use in Research • Ferrets • Human influenza • “European polecat” • Reye’s syndrome • Domesticated over 2000 years ago; bred for rabbiting (rabbit hunting) • SARS coronavirus in North Africa • Cystic fibrosis • Mustela nigripes (North American black‐footed ferret) is closest • Helicobacter‐induced GI diseases relative • • Early use in England and the US was rodent control Neural development • Also used for “ferret‐legging” or ‘Put’em Down’ • Drug induced emesis • Visual cortex development Use/Availability in Research Laboratory Management and Husbandry • Readily available commercially • Housing • Coat colors include: albino, sable • Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animal Housing Standard (pg 59) (fitch), Siamese, silver mitt, Siamese‐ • Cat or rabbit caging widely used silver mitt • Cages with grid floor spacing must be less than 1 inch apart. • Fitch or wild coat color is most common • Anecdotal from BB: 75% of US ferrets Weight of Animal Floor Area/Animal Height (inches) with a blaze or white head= (ft2) Waardenburg syndrome & deafness < 4 kg 3.0 24 • Albino ferrets have impaired motion >4 kg 4.0 34 perception and contrast sensitivity 2 Housing and Husbandry of Ferrets Housing and Husbandry of Ferrets (Answer) • Question • Rabbits Temperature requirements for ferrets are similar to what other lab animal species? Housing and Husbandry of Ferrets Light Cycles • Temperature requirements: 61‐72 F (Page 44 of the Guide) • Non‐breeding: 12:12h • Blue book, page 578 recommends 4‐18 C (39.2‐64.4 F) • Lighting can be altered to control breeding cycles • Ferrets < 6weeks should be housed at >15 C • Breeding/lactating: 16h of light daily • Kits under this age required a heat source if separated from the dam • They tolerate low temperatures well and high temperatures poorly. • Breeding or long term (beyond 6 months): • Temps >30 C (86 F) cannot be tolerated. • “winter light” • 6 weeks of year • Study Table 14.1 on page 579 • 14h of DARK • Help maintain physiologic normalcy •WHY are they heat intolerant? Air Circulation Ferret Caging • 10‐15 air changes per hour • Females may be single or co‐housed but may become • Use non‐recirculated air: pseduopregnant • Strong ferret odor • Males >12 weeks should be single housed • Susceptibility of ferrets to human respiratory • Enrichment program: infections • Co‐housing • DO NOT overlap with rodents • Nesting material • Rodents instinctive fear of ferrets • Extra paper for hiding • Ferret scent can disrupt breeding & physiology 3 Ferret Caging Ferret Caging Ferret Caging Ferret Enrichment • Considerations of metal caging • Isolation can result in • Avoid sharp edges‐> broken teeth hyperactivity • Zinc toxicosis <‐ metal leaching • Socially‐reared ferrets during steam sterilization superior in maze learning • Litter box • Prefer prey‐like interactions • Avoid clay litters ‐> dust ‐> upper respiratory infections Question Answer • Research with the black‐footed ferret has demonstrated that • Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) enrichment lowers ________ ____________ __________ in juvenile • Enrichment had NO effect on FGM in juvenile females and adult males. males. • Page 580 in LAM 3rd edition; Published by Poessel et. al., 2011. 4 Ferret Biology—Unique Anatomic/Physiologic Ferret Biology—Unique Anatomic/Physiologic Characteristics Characteristics 1. Long, narrow thorax 2. Proportionately long trachea • Extramedullary hematopoesis 3. Total lung capacity 3x that for an animal its common size 4. High degree of bronchiolar branching and • Splenomegaly (rule out: infectious, extensive bronchial submucosal glands neoplastic, isoflurane administration 5. Paired common carotid arteries arise from brachiocephalic trunk (or innominate artery) • No naturally occurring antibodies 6. Simple monogastric stomach against unmatched erythrocyte 7. SHORT alimentary tract (3h transit time) 8. Paired anal scent glands antigens 9. No cecum 10.Heat intolerant Image: Veterinary Practice News Ferret Biodata Question • Table 14.2, LAM BB 3rd edition, page 581 • What is a male ferret called and how much does it weigh? • Life span is 6‐8 years • What is a female ferret called and how much does it weigh? • Weaning: 6‐8 weeks • Newborn kits: 6‐12 g at birth; grow to ~400 g by weaning • Length of breeding life: 2‐5 years • Litter size: 8 average • Eyes open: 34 days • Gestation: 42 days • Sexually intact adults are subject to seasonal fluctuations of body fat of 30‐ 40%. • Dental formula: 2(I3/3, C1/2, P4/3, M1/2) Photo: imgur.com Answer • A male ferret is called a hob and weighs 1‐2 kg. • A female ferret is called a jill and weighs 0.5‐1kg. • Young are called kits. 5 Ferret Nutrition Ferret Reproduction • Commercial diets available, featuring high protein (up to 50%) and low carbohydrate (<10%) • Table 14.7, LAM BB 3rd edition, page 585 • Strict carnivores • Question • Short digestive tract and rapid GI transit time require that protein be • Ferrets are ____________ breeders and ___________ ovulators. readily digestible • Adult ferrets drink 75‐100 ml of water daily. Photo: reddit.com Ferret Reproduction Ferret Reproduction • Answer: • Breeding facility practices range. • Ferrets are SEASONAL breeders and INDUCED ovulators. Page 584, • One example: Jills breed 7‐10 mos of age, average 3.7 litters per year and LAM BB, 3rd edition cycled out of reproduction after 6 litters • Northern hemisphere breeding seasons: • March to August for females • December to July for males • Ferrets born in late spring or early summer and maintained under natural lighting will not assume adult pattern of gonadal activity until the following season. • Placentation: zonary and endotheliochorial Ferret Repro Data Ferret Repro Data • Question • Minimum breeding age: 8‐12 mos (M); 4‐5 mos (F) • ________ ________ is the hallmark of estrus in jills. • Estrous cycle: Monoestrus, March‐August • Induced ovulators • Age at puberty • Female (750‐1500g): 6‐12 mos • Male (1500‐2500 g): 6‐12 mos 6 Ferret Repro Data Question • Answer • Along with this species, the ferret has contributed extensively to an • VULVAR SWELLING is the understanding of photoperiodic influences on the hypthalamic‐ hallmark of estrus in jills. pituitary‐gonadal axis. LAM BB, 3rd edition, pp 585 • Females are brought to male ~14 D after vulvar enlargement. • Left together ~2 days. Answer Ferret Husbandry‐‐Pregnancy • Along with the HAMSTER, ferret has contributed extensively to an • Jills within 2 weeks of parturition should be singly housed understanding of photoperiodic influences on the hypthalamic‐ • Rabbit nest boxes, cat litter pans work well and should have bedding. pituitary‐gonadal axis. • Should be at least 6 inches deep. rd LAM BB, 3 edition, pag. 585 • Parturition occurs rapidly with few impending signs (Baum, 1998). • Jills that pass their due date without delivery should be palpated.
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