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. 2015 Jul;24(3):340-349.
doi: 10.1053/j.jepm.2015.06.019. Epub 2015 Jul 2.

A Retrospective Study of 17 Cases of Mycobacteriosis in Domestic Ferrets (Mustela Putorius furo) between 2005 and 2013

Véronique Mentré  1 , Christophe Bulliot  2
Affiliations

A Retrospective Study of 17 Cases of Mycobacteriosis in Domestic Ferrets (Mustela Putorius furo) between 2005 and 2013

Véronique Mentré et al. J Exot Pet Med. 2015 Jul.

Abstract

From 2005 to 2013, 17 ferrets were diagnosed with mycobacteriosis at the authors' practices. Clinical findings included ocular, respiratory, and digestive abnormalities. Diagnosis was based on histopathology, specific histochemical stains, and/or on polymerase chain reaction. All bacteria identified belonged to the nontuberculous Mycobacterium complex. Several treatment protocols were attempted, frequently based on the use of enrofloxacin. In all, 3 ferrets were considered cured. Mycobacteriosis in ferrets is a polymorphous disease with diverse clinical presentations. It is also likely an underdiagnosed disease in pet ferrets, which appear to be particularly susceptible to environmental sources. Mycobacteriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for ocular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases; in particular, it should be differentiated from systemic coronavirus infection.

Keywords: Ferret; Mustela putorius furo; Mycobacterium; mycobacteriosis; pyogranulomatous.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Case 1: Edema of eyelids and third eyelid in a ferret with mycobacteriosis. In this case, edema was severe.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Case 12: Macroscopic aspect of the lung from a ferret with mycobacteriosis at necropsy. The multiple granulomatous areas (arrows) should be noted.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Case 12: Aspect of the head of a ferret with mycobacteriosis. Significant deformation of the sinuses should be noted. Necropsy showed complete granulomatous filling of the sinuses with partial destruction of the bone.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Case 12: Right lateral thoracic radiograph of a ferret with mycobacteriosis. Areas of increased lobular density in the caudal lung field and mediastinal enlargement cranial to the heart should be noted.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Case 16: Endoscopic view of the mucosa of the stomach in a ferret with mycobacteriosis. Localized thickening and edema of the mucosa (arrows) should be noted. Biopsies allowed diagnosis of mycobacteriosis through histopathology.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Case 7: Thickened and nodular portion of the small intestine (arrow) discovered during surgery for insulinoma in a ferret. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous infiltration of the Peyer patches.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Case 12: Gross appearance of the liver of a ferret with mycobacteriosis at necropsy. The liver is irregular and granulomatous (arrow).
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Case 4: Enlarged mesenteric lymph node (arrow) in a ferret with mycobacteriosis. The “cauliflower” feature of this lymph node is typical of pyogranulomatous lesions but is nonspecific for either mycobacteriosis or systemic coronavirus.
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