Ferret Influenza, or Ferret Flu

By Dr. Susan Muller Esneault

Filed Under: Pocket Pets, Diseases, Ferrets

Have you been feeling under the weather lately? Running a temperature, feeling achy and coughing? You may be suffering from the flu. If it is indeed the flu, you might not want to socialize with your ferret buddies. Ferrets are extremely sensitive to the influenza viruses, both types A and B, as well as the swine flu or H1N1 variety.

Most ferret infections are a result of contact with a flu-infected person. Transmission can, however, occur through contact with another infected ferret via aerosolized droplets given off from sneezing, or through contaminated fomites such as contaminated food and water bowls, etc.

Clinical signs of the flu in a ferret include sneezing a nasal discharge, typically a serous (clear) discharge initially, which progresses to a mucopurulent discharge when there is a secondary bacterial infection. The productive discharge may result in crusting around the nose. The ferret is pyrexic (has an elevated temperature) that typically occurs in two phases. The affected ferret is lethargic, may be reluctant to move or eat, and may become dehydrated. Coughing is common, and in severe cases dyspnea (difficult breathing) may occur. The course of the disease is typically 7 to 14 days with the exudative, or nasal discharge, occurring at 2 to 7 days following infection. Most ferrets recover unless the flu is complicated by a secondary bacterial pneumonia.

A preliminary diagnosis is based upon the presence of clinical signs and possible exposure to influenza. A diagnosis may be confirmed through the use of paired serum samples indicating a rising titer to influenza or viral isolation of nasal swabs.

Treatment is primarily supportive. Two antiviral drugs may prove helpful. Amantadine hydrochloride or Symmetrel®, is available as a syrup, and given twice daily at 6 mg/Kg, it decreases the shedding of influenza A viruses and may help lower the body temperature. Symmetrel is not effective on Influenza B viruses. Parenteral use of the same drug at elevated levels may prove toxic. Ribavarin or Virazole®, another antiviral drug, has been given at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg/day on days one through 5 post-infection and have been shown to decrease the severity of the clinical signs associated with influenza. Virazole also helps lower the febrile response.

There is currently no vaccine for prevention due to the influenza viruses’ uncanny ability to redefine itself through recombination with genes incorporated from humans, swine, birds and possibly horses; effective vaccine development would be difficult and ever- changing. Control is therefore primarily aimed at preventing exposure.

References:

Fox, James. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret. Lean & Febiger. 1988. Pp. 225-227.

Johnson-Delaney, Cathy, Ed. Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook. SNBL USA Ltd. 2000. P.98.

Topics: flu, influenza, swine flu

Symptoms: dehydration, fever, lethargy, nasal discharge

»

Similar entries

  • Swine Flu: Media Scare or Major Threat?

    Think the current swine influenza scare is just a bit of media drama?  Don’t be too sure.  Pigs have the potential to serve as a genetic “mixing vessel” for influenza viruses carried by birds, pigs and humans.  Most viruses tend to be species specific but not those of the Influenza type A viruses.  These viruses can easily swap genetic code between traditional avian, pig and human infections.  It is feared that this mixing of genetic code may someday result in a flu pandemic to rival that of the 1918 Influenza epidemic.  

  • Canine Flu or Canine Influenza Virus (CIV)

    Think your dog may have a bad case of Infectious Tracheobronchitis? You may not be dealing with a run-of-the-mill kennel cough. Canine Influenza 1 virus, or CIV, has become an important emerging infectious disease in dogs. The virus responsible for the condition is H3N8 influenza A virus.

  • The Other Influenza: Equine Flu

    Is your horse feeling under the weather, running a temperature and coughing? Think your horse may of caught the flu? You could be right! In fact equine influenza, an Orthomyxovirus, is the most frequently diagnosed cause of viral respiratory disease in the horse. This virus is endemic all over the world except in Iceland and in New Zealand. Influenza A viruses can infect a wide variety of species including humans, wild and domestic birds, pigs, sea mammals, dogs, cats, and even ferrets.

  • Influenza Type A / Swine Flu

    Have you wondered why the government is so concerned about a few cases of the flu? Think there is just a lot of drama going on for ratings week? There may be more to the hype than you think. Human, avian and swine flu strains are all interrelated. The orthomyxoviruses, or influenza A viruses, of all three species can easily exchange genetic material. This genetic exchange could possibly result in a new variety of human virus, which has the potential for severe morbidity and mortality.

  • Lack of Sex in a Female Ferret Can Be Deadly!

    Female ferrets reach sexual maturity at 4-8 months of age, typically in their first spring following birth.Female ferrets undergoing their first heat cycle may prove it to be their last heat cycle unless spayed or bred.Ferrets are induced ovulators.Induced ovulation refers to the fact that the female ferret will remain in heat or estrus until such time that they are bred or are artificially stimulated to ovulate.

User login