Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Abstract

Gastrointestinal disease is a common complaint in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Their relatively simple and short gastrointestinal tract makes them good candidates for flexible endoscopy. However, apart from a few references in biomedical research articles, there is little information on the use of flexible endoscopy in ferrets. This review describes patient preparation, equipment, and select gastrointestinal endoscopy techniques in ferrets, including esophagoscopy, gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, jejunoileoscopy, colonoscopy, and biopsy.

Keywords: Colonoscopy; Endoscope; Esophagoscopy; Ferret; Gastroscopy; Mustela putorius furo; Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.