In October 2022, a dark-eyed white female spayed ferret experienced difficulty walking and breathing.  The following Case Report is based on the owner's perseverance to uncover the cause of the ferret's condition.  

At the start of her clinical signs, the ferret was estimated to be around 5 years of age.  When young she had been a rescue in the Los Angeles area. Since it is illegal to sell ferrets in California, absent commercial breeder identifiers (ear tattoos, etc.), the ferret was assumed to come from a local private breeder.​

By history the ferret took walks with her owner in the dusty Southwestern United States. Prior to the current illness, the ferret had been diagnosed with adrenal disease managed with hormonal implants. She was also being treated with an oral steroid drug, prednisolone, for symptomatic low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), which was likely due to insulinoma, a condition commonly found in domestic ferrets.  Although she had a history of Aleutian’s disease, the AD virus was considered no longer active.

On veterinary examination, the ferret was febrile with difficult breathing. Multiple lung masses were noted on radiologic examination, along with a pleural effusion (liquid in the lining of the lungs) and enlarged lymph nodes in the spleen and abdomen. 

She was considered a poor candidate for surgery, and surgical biopsies were not taken. Instead lymph aspirates were taken of the spleen and abdomen which showed increased cellular activity in the lymph notes, indicating either infection or inflammation, in the absence of lymphoma. Further testing also ruled out Coccidiomycosis (“Valley Fever”), a fungal infection.   

Over several months, the ferret was hospitalized twice for short-term courses of antibiotics (not described). Treatment was reported as "successful" in resolving the respiratory signs. Although she tolerated the treatment well, over time her condition continued to decline, and the owner made a decision to euthanize. 

On necropsy lymphadenopathy and monocytosis were reported. The report concluded that there was “multi-system pyogranulomatous disease affecting the kidneys, lymph nodes, spleen, and vessels most severely with milder disease in the liver and pancreas.”   
This condition can result from viral, fungal, and bacterial infection and, therefore, further testing was undertaken.

Aleutian mink virus is known to cause multiorgan failure due to pyogranulomatous changes; however, this possibility was ruled out. Ferret systemic coronavirus was also eliminated. This was based on a coronaviral immunohistochemistry assay designed for feline mutated enteric coronavirus (also known as FIP) that targets specific viral proteins shared by both ferret and feline coronaviruses.  

Microscopic examination of the tissue lesions showed no evidence of fungal organisms, leaving bacteria as the presumptive cause of the infection.  In-house aerobic culture of frozen renal tissue was reported out as “no bacterial growth after 48 hours” and also “no aerobic growth at [over] 5 days.”   

Routine testing includes the “acid fast” stain test, which should be positive in presence of mycobacteria (a group that includes tuberculosis).  Further microscopic examination revealed “pyogranulomas with acid-fast stained, thin, linear, multifocally branching organisms suggestive of Nocardia.”  

Another candidate with similar microscopic appearance, Actinomyces, was eliminated due to the fact that it is “acid-fast” negative.  Furthermore a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for mycobacteria also proved negative.  

Tissue samples were cultured up to 14 days for the Nocardia bacteria did not return definitive results.  A PCR assay would be next on the list, but this assay was not readily available at the institution.  
 
FINAL DIAGNOSIS
When PCR was later performed, testing identified Mycobacterium celatum (MC), which, like Nocardia, has an acid-fast stain and is found in soil, waterways, and dust.
 
COMMENTARY:
MC is a slow growing potentially pathogenic mycobacterium. Initially described in 1993 in immunocompromised humans with the HIV-AIDS, MC infection has resulted in death in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients.  Initial clinical presentation includes cough, malaise, and weight loss, associated with cavitary lesions and pulmonary infiltrates on xray. [Jun 2010] 

MC infection has also been previously reported in domestic ferrets. [Ludwig 2011, Piseddu 2011]  Gross and histologic presentations from the lung tissue of a 3-year neutered male domestic ferret are shown in the following Figure.

Figure:   Gross (A) and histologic (B) appearance of lung tissue in a domestic male ferret infected with M. celatum  [From Ludwig 2011; CDC.gov]
​
A) Gross appearance: multiple, round light brown foci over lungs.  
B) Histologic appearance, granulomatous pneumonia: alveoli filled with foamy macrophages, epithelioid cells, and a multinucleated giant cell; also mild interstitial infiltration with lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, original magnification x200. Inset, slender, rod-shaped, acid-fast bacilli in the cytoplasm of epithelioid cells; Ziehl-Neelsen staining, original magnification x400.
 
Clinically relevant mycobacteria species in ferrets are M. genavense and M. microti, among others.  In Europe, naturally occurring mycobacterial infections in ferrets are rare; but in New Zealand, M. bovis or M. avium complex infections in ferrets are common. [de Lisle 2008]

This case appears to be the first MC infection documented in the United States in a domestic ferret. Diagnosis in the face of nonspecific clinical and radiographic findings was challenging. In addition, the laboratory and pathologic findings were compatible with numerous infectious pathogens of viral, fungal, and bacterial origin. 

Initial testing ruled out active viral infection due to ADV or to a coronavirus. Further testing ruled out Coccidiomycosis, and microscopic examination at postmortem further excluded the presence of fungal infection. 

Refocusing on a bacterial etiology, cultures and special stains were performed.

Laboratory diagnosis of bacteria is based on microscopy and culture isolation.  In this case, initial microscopic assessment showed: “pyogranulomas with acid-fast stained, thin, linear, multifocally branching organisms suggestive of Nocardia.”

But Nocardia can be easily mistaken for Mycobacterium: not only does Norcardia grow in specific media for mycobacteria, but Nocardia also form partially acid-fast beaded branching filaments, similar to those formed by rapidly growing mycobacteria.  

From Muricy [2014]:
​“Change in cell morphology of Nocardia depending on the age of the culture may….lead to misidentification. Young cultures exhibit branched-long filaments, while old cultures present bacilli and cocci originating from fragmentation of filaments, which can be considered mycobacteria bacilli for non-expert microscopists.”

In addition [Ibid.]:
“Despite the Ziehl Neelsen method having been used for strong acid fast bacteria, such as the Mycobacterium species, and the modified Ziehl Neelsen method for weak acid fast bacteria, such as the Nocardia species, [in one study] Nocardia [was detected] by the Ziehl Neelsen method used for mycobacteria. This fact shows the importance of an expertise reading, since both genera can be detected.” 

Colony morphology from many species of Nocardia may be confused with mycobacteria,  making diagnosis difficult.  Moreover, microscopic analysis must be carefully performed by experienced technicians, as Nocardia can be misidentified as mycobacteria in the routine diagnosis of TB. In such cases, differentiation is performed by observation of aerial hyphae, produced only by species of the genus Nocardia.

Diagnosis of Nocardia based on phenotype (appearance) alone can result misidentification.  In a study comparing 6 isolates of Nocardia to Mycobacterium, only 2 were correctly identified by phenotypic identification.  In such cases PCR and molecular species typing “by 16S rDNA sequencing seem to be essential for an early and definitive diagnosis.” [Ludwig 2011] 

In the case of this ferret, her history of comorbidities (adrenal and pancreatic cancers), as well as chronic steroid treatment likely resulted in her being immunosuppressed.  

Correct identification of the causal agent is very important, as it informs the correct course of  therapy. Mycobacteria respond to different drugs from those used to treat Nocardia.  

Even so, “mixed” infection – cases in which both Nocardia and mycobacteria species were identified--have been found in immunocompetent patients. [Muricy 2014]  Therefore, in the case of treatment failure, further bacteriological investigation is warranted.
 
[Link to PDF] 
​
REFERENCES:

• de Lisle G, Kawakami  R, Yates  G, Collins  D.  Isolation of Mycobacterium bovis and other mycobacterial species from ferrets and stoats. Vet Micro 132:402–407, 2008. 
• Jun H-J, Lee N, Kim J, Koh W-J.  Case Report. Successful treatment of Mycobacterium celatum pulmonary disease in an immunocompetent patient using antimicobacterial [sic] chemotherapy and combined pulmonary resection.  Yonsei Med J 51(6):980-983, 2010.
• Ludwig E,  Reisch U, Holzmann T, et al. Letter: Risk for Mycobacterium celatum infection from ferret. CDC Emerg Inf Dis 17(3): March 2011.
• Muricy E, Lemes R, Bombarda S, et al.  Differentiation between Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium spp.: critical aspects for bacteriological diagnosis. Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. Sao Paulo 56(5):397-401, Sep-Oct 2014. 
• Piseddu E, Trotta M, Tortoli E, et al. Detection and molecular characterization of Mycobacterium celatum as a cause of splenitis in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). J Comp Pathol  Feb-Apr;144(2-3):214-218, 2011.  
• Valheim M, Djønne B, Heiene R, and Caugant D.  Disseminated Mycobacterium celatum (type 3) infection in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) Vet Path 38(4):460–463, 2001.

Sep 2023:   Each year the influenza ("flu") virus infects 3 to 5 million people globally, resulting in 290,000 to 650,000 deaths (World Health Organization). 

New flu virus strains appear each year, so a new vaccine must be made to match those strains predicted to be most likely to cause flu during the current year's flu season.  As a result, flu vaccine efficacy has varied widely from year to year.   

Domestic ferrets are known to catch the flu and are, therefore, the animal of choice to test safety and efficacy of new flu vaccines.   

PDS Biotechnology Corporation, a New-Jersey-based company, announced that its data in ferrets with its investigational flu vaccine PDS0202 is to be presented at the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza conference (Sep 17-20, 2023, Valencia, Spain).

In its goal to produce a “universal” flu vaccine—one that could eliminate the need to create a new flu vaccine every year, the company tested PDS0202 in ferrets.  Ferrets with  no prior immunity against the influenza virus (“pre-immune”) were exposed to the H1N1 and H3N2 flu viruses, two well-known strains from the last decade.  The animals were monitored to see if they produced blood (seroprotective) antibody responses against these two strains.   
 
The investigational PDS0202 vaccine represents a new generation of flu vaccines.  Based on the company’s proprietary Infectimune™ technology with proprietary  Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA) hemagglutinin (HA) flu proteins, the new flu vaccine may be able to provide long-lasting and broad protection against multiple strains of the virus. 

​Prior lab studies demonstrated that PDS0202 can produce a strong immune response:  broadly neutralizing influenza-specific antibodies, flu-specific CD4 (helper) and CD8 (killer) T-cells, as well as long-lasting memory T-cells. This well-characterized and robust immune response to the COBRA antigens suggests good potential for broad and long-term protection against multiple strains of influenza.
  
The data will be presented at the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) Conference. ESWI, to be held September 17-20, 2023, in Valencia, Spain, with the hope that future human trials will soon follow.

For more information, see:

• https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pds0202-universal-influenza-preclinical-ferret-120000303.html
• https://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-pds-biotech-announces-preclinical-data-pds0202-universal-influenza-/2022/01/27/9534158.htm  

 

​Ferrets, like other mammals, normally have ear wax (cerumen). “Normal” ear wax in ferrets is light brown, orange, or reddish in color.
 
Itchy dark-reddish to brown ear wax with black spots in or around the ears may indicate your ferret has “ear mites.” 

Ear mites are tiny spider-like external parasites of the species Otodectes cynotis. These mites  can infest the ears of warm-blood mammals, including dogs, cats, ferrets, rodents and rabbits. Generally they do not infest humans.

Signs
Aside from the appearance in the ear, ferrets may respond to the itchiness with frequent scratching and rubbing of the head, head shaking, or even walking with the head tilted to one side. 

Diagnosis
A trip to the veterinarian will identify if your ferret has ear mites, or if something else is causing these signs.  A sample of your ferret’s earwax is examined under a microscope.  It can show the presence of these tiny mites or their eggs.

Treatment
Ferrets can be treated with drugs in the form of ear drops, such Ivermectin, or the topical application of Selamectin.  Selamectin, (also known as Revolution® - Zoetis, Selarid – Norbrook, Senergy - Virbac) is an oily drug that is applied and rubbed into the skin on the ferret’s back between the shoulder blades.  It will spread over to the ferret’s ears. 

These medications should ONLY be used under the guidance of a veterinarian familiar with ferrets.

Prevention
Treatment alone is not enough. If your ferret has ear mites, it will be important to clean the ferret’s bedding, toys and cage. If the infected ferret has cage mates, or if there are other animals in the household, these, too, should be checked for ear mites and treated as recommended by the veterinarian.

Further reading:
Miller D,  et al. Efficacy and safety of selamectin in the treatment of Otodectes cynotis 
infestation in domestic ferrets.” The Veterinary Record. vo1 l59, 2006.
 
Patterson C.   Selamectin use in companion animals.  Today’s Veterinary Practice.  Aug 4, 2021. 
[article does not mention ferrets]  https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/pharmacology/selamectin-use-in-companion-animals/ 
Accessed July 2023]
 
Rich G, Axelson R.  Ferrets - Ear Mites.  VCA Animal Hospitals.  https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ferrets-ear-mites [Accessed July 2023]

Sunday, April 2, 2023, is National Ferret Day in the United States.  It has become a day to promote and educate the public about the domestic ferret. Ferrets are owned by   by millions households worldwide. Celebrated for at least two decades prior to its gaining “official” status in the United States, Carol Roche (New York) working with ferret organizations to achieve official recognition of April 2nd, through the Chase Calendar Days in 2014.

The origins of a National Ferret Day are unclear.  It is not listed in the federal records as of 1994, however, it has been on the US calendar of the National Special Events Registry  listing special holidays, since 1995 according to John Kremer, president of Open Horizons, the company that operates the registry.

“International Ferret Day”
The US is not the only country that observes a National Ferret Day-- nor is April 2 the only calendar date reserved for its observance.  Reference to its occurrence in February can be found on the Internet, and May 5th has been recognized for National Ferret Day in the United Kingdom since 2007, established by the Ferret Education and Research Trust (FERT). 

Regardless of its origins, National Ferret Day can be celebrated in any way you choose to recognize the Ferret as a wonderful pet and member of the household. 

How will you celebrate National Ferret Day this year?

• Spend time with your ferrets.
• Trim their nails and do a “flea” check.  
• Clean the ferret cage or ferret room!
• Volunteer a local Ferret Shelter.
• Schedule the next ferret annual veterinary checkup
• Donate to a ferret cause: time, needed items, or $$.
• Read and learn more about ferrets at the allFerrets website! 

 
Recognizing the Black footed ferret
https://medium.com/wild-without-end/happy-national-ferret-day-b96ab768ac4f
 

Looking for a ferret friend to add to your “business”?  Beware of those who promise ferrets – but are out to defraud you!  Here’s how to avoid being scammed:

Never Prepay
Scammers will often ask for a pre- or down payment to hold the pet for you.  They will ask to be paid through services such as Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, etc.  NEVER DO THIS! Never pay for a pet until you have it in your hands, you have examined it, and you are taking it home.  Asking for a prepayment: this is a RED FLAG for fraud.

Location “Switch”
You contact the site and are told that the pet is at a different location than advertised. This is HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS.  Usually the scammer will demand a down payment so that they can secure the pet for you and arrange for some kind of transport to your location.  Say "NO" - this is a RED FLAG.
​
­Visit the Facility
Request to visit the facility and meet the pet. This allows you to see the state of the facility and the animal.  Even if you are not located in the area near the animal facility, you can say that your friend or family-member can stop by.  If they refuse to allow a visit at the animal's location:  this a RED FLAG.

Animal is to be Shipped to You.
Reputable breeders, shelters, welfare organizations and even pet stores and other retailers do not ship ferrets to noncommercial recipients. If shipping is discussed:  this is a VERY BIG RED FLAG.      
 
Do  Your Own Check
Ask for the full name and street address of the individuals you are dealing with. Check to see if they are “real." 

• Check the street address (by using Google maps or a realstate site, such as Zillow).
  
• Search the individual(s) involved in the transaction on the web (by looking for a website, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media) to ensure that you are interacting with a person who is who and where they say they are (e.g., in the United States, in the city, state, etc.). 

Search for REVIEWS online. If you are having doubts or questions, often others have seen the same ads or invitations, and their experiences are important. 

Make sure that the organization is “real” and not impersonating another organization. This can require a phone call to the named organization you think you are dealing with.  If you cannot confirm the association, do not pursue the transaction.  There will be other opportunities to locate your next ferret!

Note: If you come across a scam regarding ferrets, let us know!  Contact:  info@allFerrets.org .  

allFerrets is hosting a free online webinar Friday, August 19, 2022
8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific (USA)
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Jan 2022:  More than 50 people and half a dozen vendors showed up last weekend, Jan 15 and 16, in Tempe, AZ, to join ferret owners, rescuers, shelters, vendors, and ferret fanciers in person, along with their ferrets. 
 
Key organizer of the Ferret Round Up was Patrick Wright, head of LegalizeFerrets.org, a California nonprofit, whose mission is to see domestic ferrets legalized in State of California. 

Local participants from the Phoenix metro area, especially from the AZ Ferret Rescue,  contributed their support and expertise to the event. They were joined by those who traveled from California, Oregon, and as far as New Jersey.

Ferrets and the human counterparts participated in the judging of the “biggest” and “smallest” ferret (“Elvis and Twiggy” contest), timed sport of “tip the cup”, ferret tube racing, and paper-bag escape, among others.  Program speakers were: Dianne Simonian, director of the AZ Ferret Rescue, Manny Giuliano, retired animal cruelty officer in New Jersey, and the force behind the soon to be published children's book about an abandoned ferret:  "My Name Is Musky",  and Brittany from the AZ Ferret Rescue, on Ferret Biology. Bonnie Myer, and Melanie Ellis, along with many others, contributed judging and event management skills.  

Although COVID placed somewhat of damper on the event (boxed meals, no buffet), great new relationships have been built.  There are plans now to do this event next year in Arizona.  So with lots of help from locals and others, we call this a success!