1. Ferrets Dr. N. Matthew Ellinwood, D.V.M., Ph.D. Febuary 6, 2012 I OWA S TATE U NIVERSITY C OLLEGE OF A GRICULTURE AND L IFE S CIENCES

2. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae (weasels) Genus: Mustela Species: M. putorius Subspecies: M. p. furo

3. Mustelidae Largest family of carnivora Catch all or true diversity Classifications to change Diverse size and type Least weasel (30-50 grams) Giant Otter –(50-100 lbs)

4. Other Domesticated Mustelids Fur trade –Mink –Sable (species of marten) –Fur trade important in western (USA) expansion and Siberian expansion. –Endangerment and extinction (sea mink) result of fur trade Tayra –South American mustelid kept as household pet by indigenous peoples as vermin control –Wild animal certification

5. Origins and Ferret Domestication European pole cat Mitochondrial evidence –2500 YBP Remains to 4500 YBP Used for rabbiting and hunting –Roman period Controlled/outlawed in many countries (California) Ferelized in Australia and New Zealand to control rabbits Existing ferel populations in Shetland Islands and New Zealand Current resurgence of role in rodent control (rabbits) –Helsinki (2009) Once widely used in to protect grain stores in the US

6. Ferrets in Popular Culture Da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine” –Most likely a ferret

7. Popularized as Pets etc 1970s Studies indicate estimate 800,000 ferrets in USA in 1996 (ratio to dog ownership ~1:70) Now considered standard pet species Can be used to run wires through conduits etc.

8. Natural History Life span5-10 years Sexual maturity –Hobs > 8 months –Jills 4-12 months Estrous: Induced ovulators Gestation 40-44 days (palpation at 2 weeks) Litters 8-10 kits (atricial) Weaning 6-8 weeks

9. Ferret Fancy The American Ferret Association (1992) –http://www.ferret.org/index.htmlhttp://www.ferret.org/index.html –8 colors –4 color patterns –3 white patterns http://www.ferret.org/events/colors/dew.html

10. Caging versus House Access Household access –Destruction –Foreign body ingestion –Trapped Elimination pattern –Will use litter box Cage housing –Mesh size –Solid floor –Enclosure/hammock

11. Feeding Obligate carnivore –30-40% protein –15-30% fat –Higher end in pregnancy –Available commercial ferret food Fresh water Ad lib unless obesity an issue Short digestive tract Low tolerance for fiber Sugars Pregnancy Food preferences set early (3 months)

12. Anatomy Sexual dimorphism (females < males) Castration increases gill and decreases hob adult weight Seasonal wt fluctuations (20-40%) Anal glands (descented) –Common in USA, restricted or unnecessary in UK/Europe –Versus musty smell of males (androgen dependent/castration) Non retractable claws on 5 digit feet Os penis Sexing by anogenital distance (similar to dogs), testes, preputial opening External tract shows obvious changes in estrus females

13. Behavior Weasel war dance –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xowr0vMU_U Dooking –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex9AXcYR_a0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex9AXcYR_a0 Crepuscular Social animals –Versus wild forebears Spring and fall molting

14. Diseases and Health Issues One half of pseudopregnant jills –Estrus, with subsequent estrogen dependent bone marrow suppression (can be fatal) Pregnancy toxemia (first time gills) Adrenal tumors (2-6 years – androgenic signs) Insulinomas (4-5 years) –Signs of severe blood sugar Lymphoma

15. Infectious Diseases Ferret approved rabies vaccination –3-12 months and annually Influenza –Important animal model Animal model bibliography –http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/oldbib/ferretla.htmhttp://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/oldbib/ferretla.htm Canine distemper –Ferret approved CDV vaccine on approved schedule –Canary pox vectored vaccine available Aleutian disease –Parvo virus –Infection cause vasculitis induced by antibodies

16. Infectious Disease (contin) Bacterial –Helicobacter mustelae (vomitting and ulcers) –Lawsonia intracellularis Proliferative bowel disease (1 – 3% of exposed animals) Fungal –Systemic –External Parasites –Coccidia/Cryptosporidia/Giardia, Sarcoptes, Otodectes cynotis –Nematodes No documented round or hook worm infections Susceptible to heartworm

17. Zoonosis Limited evidence of causative human disease –Rabies –Sarcoptes –Trichophyton mentagrophytes (ring worm) –Influenza –Cl. perfringens

18. Restraint Stretching –Scruffing and holding hind legs Will usually go limp