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Chapter 27

Ferrets

Ferrets are quite popular in our area, and as a conse- ing in varying degrees of secondary lung compression.
quence, we have the opportunity to image them regu- Air may also escape from a ruptured lobe, joining the
larly for a wide variety of ailments, including trauma, blood in the pleural space and further collapsing
gastrointestinal obstruction, cancer, and heart disease the lung (Figure 27-5). If allowed to go unchecked, the
(Figure 27-1). continued leakage of blood and air will eventually col-
lapse the lung and suffocate the animal.
III RADIOGRAPHY
III GASTROINTESTINAL
Radiographically, we treat ferrets much as we might FOREIGN BODIES
treat cats, making the usual standard ventrodorsal and
right lateral views, as well as a variety of supplemen- Ferrets, more than any other mammalian exotic, are
tary and customized projections. Sometimes, we en- inclined to eat small objects, and many of these objects
counter ferrets that bite or refuse to remain still long obstruct their stomach or bowel. Again, like cats,
enough to be imaged, in which case we use gas anes- obstructed ferrets vomit, cease to eat, and generally
thesia (Figure 27-2). Occasionally, we perform barium appear ill. Some exhibit palpable thickening of the
studies in ferrets, usually in search of intestinal foreign intestine, and others do not. Radiography may real the

bodies. culprit, provided it has sufficient density (Figure 27-6);
otherwise, there is only indirect evidence of blockage
such as distended small intestine.
III NORMAL RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY Thread, string, ribbon, and the like will usually
cause bunching of the bowel, provided the foreign

In many ways, the radiographic anatomy of a ferret material is fixed at some point, for example, beneath
resembles that of a cat, particularly the torso, which the tongue or in the stomach. Where intestinal gas is
is elongated and tapered at each end. However, the present, it is often broken up into small clusters, which
skull of a ferret, with its long, dorsally fl attened is termed the interrupted gas pattern, suggestive of a
cranium, is decidedly different from the more nor- fi xed linear foreign body.
mally proportioned, gently rounded skull of a cat
(Figure 27-3).
III SELECTED DISEASES

III INJURIES
Heart Disease
Like the other small pet mammals, ferrets often get Ferrets suffer from a wide variety of congenital and
under foot and sometimes sustain limb fractures or acquired heart diseases: cardiomyopathy is the most
dislocations in the process (Figure 27-4). More serious, common, similar again to cats. But unlike cats, ferrets
however, are thoracic crush injuries in which wide- can develop the dilated form of the disease, which has
spread lung bruising is capable of causing severe almost disappeared in cats since taurine defi ciency

dyspnea. was identified as the principal source of this form of
If multiple lobes are ruptured, bleeding usually the disease (Figures 27-7 through 27-10).
occurs, accumulating in the pleural space and result- Text continued on p. 326.
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