Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Polychromatic fluorescence biomodulation , such as Phovia light therapy ( Figure 12 ), exposes the skin to many different wavelengths of light , targeting different depths and aspects of the skin . The treatment involves the application of a chromophore gel to the patient ' s skin , which converts the light emitted by the lamp into fluorescence with many wavelengths .
It is important to note that any of these interventions may be stressful , and exposure to water in naive animals may also be stressful , so gradual desensitisation to harnesses , equipment and water will be required , as well as positive reinforcement .
Figure 13 . A ferret being encouraged ( with the use of treats ) to walk on non-slip matting through warm shallow water .
Case study
Figure 12 . A ferret receiving Phovia light therapy after ovariohysterectomy surgery . Photo permission from Anna Mercer .
Laser acupuncture
In laser acupuncture , a laser beam is focused on acupuncture points , giving the benefits of laser therapy and acupuncture without the invasiveness of needles , which is useful for animals that do not tolerate needles , or animals that are very unwell or elderly and should not be overstimulated [ 26 ] . It causes photonic stimulation of acupuncture points and areas , stimulating similar therapeutic effects to those of acupuncture [ 29 ] .
Laser acupuncture , conducted in 12 sessions over 2 months , supported the successful recovery to full mobility of a ferret with a spinal cord injury caused by a fall from a height [ 30 ] . Although laser acupuncture is effective , more research is required into the technique to determine the parameters for its use and to compare it with other types of acupuncture [ 30 ] .
Patient signalment
Species Age Sex Weight
Background
Ferret 6 months Male
1.78 kg on admission ( 1.87 kg at his highest , 12 weeks after his operation )
Max , a 6-month-old ferret ( Figure 14 ), was diagnosed with capital physeal dysplasia ( dysplasia of the proximal growth plate of the femur ) and underwent a bilateral femoral head and neck excision ( FHNE ). The full case is described by Swaffield et al . [ 32 ] . To the authors ' knowledge , this procedure has been described in the literature only once before in this species [ 33 ] .
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy ( the therapeutic use of water to support treatment and pain relief ) could be considered for ferrets ( Figure 13 ). To the authors ' knowledge , there is no literature available on its use , but ferrets have been used experimentally in studies of swimming [ 31 ] .
Ferrets paddle with their front legs only , so hydrotherapy intended to strengthen the hindquarters may be more effective with the use of an underwater treadmill .
Figure 14 . Max , a 6-month-old ferret that had undergone a bilateral femoral head and neck excision . Photo permission from Michelle Howe .
Volume 40 ( 2 ) • April 2025
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