The senior ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

Abstract

Ferrets are an increasingly popular pet in the United States. They are active, gregarious pets that delight their owners with playful antics. One of the issues that ferret owners and veterinarians have had to deal with is their shortened life span. Although literature cites the life span of the ferret as 8 to 10 years, most veterinarians see ferrets as "old" at as early as 3 years of age. Most information on senior ferrets has focused on neoplastic diseases. This article discusses husbandry and nutritional issues of the aging ferret, more commonly seen geriatric diseases, and diagnostic and treatment options.

Fig. 1

Ferret with marked, diffuse hepatic lipidosis and icterus of the abdominal adipose. (Courtesy of C.M. Pfent.)

Fig. 2

Grossly enlarged left adrenal gland in a ferret.

Fig. 3

Hindlimb paresis in a geriatric ferret with insulinoma. (Courtesy of C.M. Pfent.)

Fig. 4

Pancreatic islet cell adenomas (insulinomas) are often multiple and less than 2 mm in size. This 6-mm insulinoma is easier to identify at surgery or necropsy. (Courtesy of C.M. Pfent.)

Fig. 5

Chronic interstitial nephritis is a common finding in older ferrets but is rarely problematic clinically. (Courtesy of C.M. Pfent.)

Fig. 6

Renal cysts in ferrets can range from 1 mm to several centimeters in size. Veterinarians should use caution not to mistake large benign renal cysts for hydronephrosis on ultrasound or by other imaging tools. (Courtesy of C.M. Pfent.)

Fig. 7

Dental disease is common in geriatric ferrets. In this ferret, incisors 101, 201, 301, 302, 401, and 402 are missing and the canines 204 and 304 are fractured. The remaining teeth are covered with dental calculi. (Courtesy of C.M. Pfent.)

Fig. 8

The cross-section of a normal spleen is compared with markedly enlarged spleen diagnosed with extramedullary hematopoiesis. (Courtesy of J.F. Edwards and C.M. Pfent.)