Ferret husbandry PDF

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Summary

Ferret husbandry and care...

Description

Companion handling and welfare – TRI 2 Week 2 What is a ferret?       

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustilidae Genus: Mustela Species: Mustela putorius furo

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Domesticated form of European pole cat

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Although uncertain – thought is that ferrets have been domesticated for at least 2,500 years

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Used for hunting rabbits in some parts of the world

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Increasingly kept only as pets

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Used extensively in research facilities

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Ferret - derived from the Latin furittus, meaning "little thief"

Biology and behaviour •

Typical mustelid body shape – long & slender

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Average life-span: 7 – 10 years

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Average length: 50cm

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Weigh between: 0.7kg & 2kg

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Sexually dimorphic – males larger than females

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♀ - Gills (Sprites)

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♂ - Hobs (Gibs/Hoblets)

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Juvenile (↓ 12mo) – Kits

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Group: Business/Busyness

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Gestation is around 42 days

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2 – 3 litters per year

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Litter size: 4 – 7 kits

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Weaned: 3-6 weeks

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Independent approx. 3 months

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Sexually mature approx. 6 months

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Crepuscular & spend 12-16 hours sleeping

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Territorial & group living, social animals

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Burrowing animals: prefer to sleep enclosed

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Predatory animals

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Scent marking – anal glands often removed in USA for pet ferrets, seen as unnecessary mutilation UK and Europe.

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Zoonosis: -

Human flu can be spread from human to ferret & vice versa Reservoirs for Salmonella spp & Campylobacter spp – No human cases attributable at present Listeriosis, TB & dog & cat parasites – less common

Reproductive cycle •

Controlled by photoperiod: breeding season March to August

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Females are seasonally polyoestrous: induced ovulators

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No copulation → no ovulation :females will stay in oestrous

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Hyperoestrogenism →anaemia, alopecia

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If females are not bred, a large percentage of these individuals will remain in estrus with the potential for bone marrow suppression due to elevated estrogen levels

Veterinary care of ferrets •

Short gastrointestinal tracts & ↑ metabolic rate – need to eat frequently

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Susceptible to rapid dehydration and weight loss

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Obligate carnivores, largely unable to digest plant matter

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Imprint food by 6 months so unlikely to accept new foods

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Flea & ear-mite infestation similar incidence to dog & cat & requires similar treatment control

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Prophylactic teeth brushing should be started at a young age & continued throughout lifespan

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Common diseases include: -

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De-sexing: -

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Pancreatic disease Adrenal disease Lymphoma/lymphosarcoma

Chemical sterilisation preferable due to ↑ incidence of hyperadrenocorticism (hyperfunctioning of the adrenal cortex due to neoplastic changes) resulting from mechanical sterilisation Hyperoestrogenism in female ferrets:

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Jills require mating to cease ‘heat’ cycle – without mating continuance of heat allows circulation of ↑ oestrogen – progressive ↓ of bone marrow - Resultant decrease in RBC & platelets can lead to severe anaemia & ‘bleeding out’ - If untreated results in death - Best practice – neuter females not intended for breeding Vaccines - Distemper - 8 weeks of age - 11 weeks of age - 14 weeks of age - Booster vaccines annually - Rabies - 16 weeks of age - Booster vaccines annually

Distemper Symptoms      

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Rabies Symptoms

Retching or vomiting Reddening of the skin around the chin and mouth A red rash over the entire body Rectal prolapse Swelling of the legs and eventual crusting on the footpad Nasal discharge with eventual crusting sores developing on the chin, feet and around the anus.

Aggressive ‘furious’ rage Lethargy – ‘dumb’ stage Depression Dehydration

Vaccine reactions - Incidence mostly after 2 years of age - Symptoms: - Mild: scratching, salivation - Severe: vomiting, diarrhoea - Fatal: shock, death - Treatment: fluid therapy, antihistamine, corticosteroid

Recognising signs of poor welfare          

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Loss of appetite Weight loss/loss of condition Drinking more or less than normal Lethargy/sleeping more than usual Unusual swellings Skin changes Alopecia or other change in hair coat Limping Unusual bleeding Sensitivity to touch

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Runny eyes or nose Unusual vocalisation

Nutrition and feeding 

Carnivorous

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Require ↑ protein (30-40%) diet

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Simple stomach & vomit readily with short passage time through both small & large intestine

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Do not digest carbohydrates & starches easily

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↑ metabolic rates

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Require dental care to prevent plaque build up

Enclosure and enrichment     

The recommended minimum cage size for 1–2 ferrets is at least 1½–2 m2. An additional ½ m2 should be added per additional animal. Recent studies suggest that cage size has little effect on negative behavioural repertoire – enrichment ↑ play behaviour and foraging & exploratory behaviours Play behaviours are a positive indicator of good welfare Social enrichment also increases play behaviour – once hierarchy established Careful management of enrichment should be established in socially housed groups of ferrets to ↓ incidences of competition over resources

Key features of good ferret husbandry • • • • • • • • •

House in compatible social groups. Keep in a secure, escape proof enclosure of sufficient height, to at least allow the animals to stand on their back legs. A smooth, non-slip solid floor, with substrate. Provide sufficient space to allow separate areas for urination and defecation, eating and food storage, activity and resting/sleeping, and environmental enrichment. Regular and confident handling. A vertical surface for scent marking and use as a latrine, well away from the eating and sleeping areas. Ferrets can also be trained to use a litter box. A warm, dry resting/sleeping chamber containing comfortable nesting material A complex and stimulating environment including, for example, containers and tubes, paper bags and hammocks, water baths, ladders. An appropriate environment with choice of microenvironment within the pen. Temperature in the range 15 to 24°C with appropriate humidity....