Plus-Hex CLINICAL
ABSTRACT Since the 1980s , ferrets have become increasingly popular pets , with an estimated 200,000 now kept in the UK . Ferret medicine is a relatively new field , and pain assessment and treatment in ferrets are not well researched , despite pain being a significant consideration in many of the medical conditions that affect them .
Health indicators in ferrets , such as bright eyes , smooth coats and distinct energy – sleep cycles , contrast with signs of illness , which include excessive sleep , poor condition and subdued behaviour .
Pain triggers the sympathetic nervous system , causing increases in heart rate , respiratory rate , temperature and blood pressure , along with other physiological changes . Monitoring these signs in ferrets can be challenging , and emotional and behavioural signs must also be considered .
This is the first in a series of three articles that review the assessment and management of pain in ferrets , with examples of chronic pain conditions that affect the species . The article discusses the methods of recognising acute and chronic pain in ferrets , the behavioural signs indicative of pain and the handling of ferrets .
The review emphasises the necessity of developing a validated ferret pain scale incorporating behavioural , physiological and emotional signs . A holistic approach involving veterinary surgeons , veterinary nurses and experienced ferret owners is essential for effective pain management .
Future research should focus on developing detailed pain assessment scales and encouraging ferret owners to record typical behaviours to help facilitate the early detection of pain and improve individualised care .
Keywords ferret , pain behaviour , pain recognition , pain assessment , handling
Introduction
This article is the first in a series of three articles for veterinary nurses , which review pain in ferrets :
Part 1 : Assessment of pain in ferrets Part 2 : Management of pain in hospitalised ferrets Part 3 : Examples of chronic pain conditions in ferrets .
Ferrets are increasingly popular , with an estimated 200,000 kept as pets in the UK [ 1 ] . They were originally domesticated for hunting and later for use as laboratory animals [ 2 ] .
In Great Britain between 2019 and 2023 , 1,741 procedures were performed on this species [ 3 ] . Ferret medicine is a relatively new discipline as these animals became popular as pets only in the 1980s [ 2 ] .
Research in ferrets , particularly on pain assessment and treatment , is scarce , and randomised trials are relatively uncommon compared with better-researched species [ 2 ] .
Pet ferrets are prone to medical conditions such as :
• Adrenal gland hyperplasia or neoplasia
• Pancreatic islet β cell tumours
• Foreign bodies
• Dental disease
• Enteritis
• Biliary disorders
• Urinary and renal disorders
• Intoxication
• Hyperoestrogenism
• Cardiomyopathy
• Neoplasia
• Lymphosarcoma
• Hindlimb paresis ( from a variety of causes )
• Viral infections ( Aleutian disease , parvovirus and distemper )
• Bacterial infections ( Helicobacter mustelae and gastroduodenal ulcers )
• Parasitic infections ( ear mites ) [ 4 , 5 ] .
‘ Working ’ ferrets are rarely seen in practice , for various reasons . These animals often present with different problems compared with pet ferrets .
Working ferrets are susceptible to injuries and wounds , ectoparasites ( mange ), heat stress , hypothermia ( chilling and frostbite ), diarrhoea , botulism and non-specific dermatitis [ 6 ] .
In most of the conditions affecting pet and working ferrets , pain and discomfort should be considered in a treatment and care plan .
Volume 39 ( 6 ) • December 2024
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