Diseases of the Respiratory System

Chapter 23 Diseases of the Respiratory System



THE FERRET


There are only a few causes of respiratory disease in the ferret. Canine distemper virus and human flu virus can produce respiratory disease. Most pet ferrets today are routinely vaccinated against canine distemper, and this disease is not commonly seen.



Canine Distemper Viral Disease


Canine distemper viral disease is transmitted via aerosol exposure and should be suspected in any unvaccinated ferret with clinical signs (Fig. 23-1).


image image

Figure 23-1 Young ferret with canine distemper viral disease. (A) Eyes are encrusted, (B) crusting around lips and chin. (C) Hyperkeratosis of the footpads are shown.


(From Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW: Ferrets, rabbits, and rodents, ed 2, St Louis, 2004, Saunders, by permission.)



CLINICAL SIGNS



• Rash on the chin

• Swollen, crusty skin around the lips and chin

• Anorexia

• Depression

• Fever

• Photophobia

• Mucopurulent ocular and nasal discharge

• Hyperkeratosis of foot pads

• Vomiting and diarrhea (usually uncommon)

• Coughing

• Neurologic signs (incoordination, torticollis, nystagmus)


DIAGNOSIS



• Physical examination and history of exposure in unvaccinated animal

• Complete blood cell count (CBC) (leucopenia)

• Serum titer (for canine distemper virus) will be positive in unvaccinated animal

• Fluorescent antibody test on conjunctival scrapings or blood smears will be positive in first few days of disease


TREATMENT



• No treatment of value currently exists. Supportive therapy is an option, but euthanasia is recommended as the only humane option.


INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS



• Canine distemper viral disease is a preventable disease. Have all pet ferrets vaccinated annually against canine distemper virus.

• The virus is relatively unstable in the environment, so cleaning and disinfecting can destroy it.

• The mortality rate for ferrets infected with this disease is nearly 100%. Euthanasia is recommended for those animals that exhibit clinical signs of disease.



TECH ALERT


Use only vaccines designated as safe for ferrets. Do not use feline distemper vaccines.



Human Influenza Virus


Ferrets are susceptible to the human influenza virus. The virus is transmitted via aerosols and causes an upper respiratory disease in ferrets. It can be transmitted between ferrets and humans.



CLINICAL SIGNS



• Fever, then decreased temperature after 48 hours

• Sneezing

• Watering of the eyes

• Mucoid/mucopurulent nasal discharge

• Lethargy

• Anorexia


DIAGNOSIS



• Physical examination and history of exposure

• Increased serum antibody titer to virus

• Virus isolation from nasal secretions


TREATMENT



• Disease is self-limiting—course in adult animals is about 7 to 14 days.

• Maintain hydration and nutrition with force-feeding if necessary.

• Administer cough suppressant or antihistamine to relieve nasal congestion and coughing (if present).

• Human antiviral drugs such as amantadine or zanamivir have been used with some success in experimental trials. Administer antibiotics for secondary infections.


INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS



• Prevent the spread of flu from humans to ferrets by not allowing your ferret to be handled by infected persons.

• Vaccination against flu is not usually recommended for ferrets because strains are relatively benign and change yearly.


RODENTS


Rodents are frequently seen in the veterinary practice for respiratory problems. Care should be taken when handling and collecting laboratory samples if the animal is dyspneic. The most common causes of respiratory diseases in mice are the Sendai virus and Mycoplasma pulmonis. Sendai viral infection is an acute respiratory infection with a high mortality rate in neonates and weanlings. Adult mice generally recover. Mycoplasma infection generally results in pneumonia, suppurative rhinitis, and sometimes otitis media. Antibiotic therapy will help to eliminate the symptoms but not the disease.



Mice




Sendai Virus and Mycoplasma pulmonis


Rodents kept under sanitary conditions and fed a balanced diet have few problems with disease. However, when pneumonia does develop, Sendai virus and Mycoplasma are often the cause.



CLINICAL SIGNS



• “Chattering”

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Aug 31, 2016 | Posted by in GENERAL | Comments Off on Diseases of the Respiratory System
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