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Ferrets (Laboratory) - Pathology (view source)
Revision as of 19:19, 4 March 2011
, 19:19, 4 March 2011→Integument System
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Gross lesions include areas of crusting alopecia with brittle hair and broken hair shafts. In immunosuppressed animals, any associated rashes can become generalised. Microscopic lesions from biopsies taken from affected sites will include a thick layer of keratin debris, degenerate neutrophils and fungal arthrospores with hyphae. There will be ulceration of the skin and hair follicles will often contain numerous fungal arthrospores which can occasionally invade the hair shaft. Many follicles will not contain a hair shaft at all and will contain only lamellar keratin debris. There may also be a generalised neutrophilic or lymphoplasmacytic dermal infiltrate in perivascular and periadnexal areas.
Gross lesions include areas of crusting alopecia with brittle hair and broken hair shafts. In immunosuppressed animals, any associated rashes can become generalised. Microscopic lesions from biopsies taken from affected sites will include a thick layer of keratin debris, degenerate neutrophils and fungal arthrospores with hyphae. There will be ulceration of the skin and hair follicles will often contain numerous fungal arthrospores which can occasionally invade the hair shaft. Many follicles will not contain a hair shaft at all and will contain only lamellar keratin debris. There may also be a generalised neutrophilic or lymphoplasmacytic dermal infiltrate in perivascular and periadnexal areas.
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'''Ectoparasites'''
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Ferrets are most commonly infected with two ectoparasites; ear mites (''Otodectes cynotis'') and fleas (''Ctenocephalides sp.''). Sarcoptic mange has also been reported in ferrets and comes in two forms; a very pruritic whole-body form and a variably pruritic form localised to the feet. Demodectic mange is also seen in ferrets, although mainly in older or immunosupressed ferrets.
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Gross lesions regarding ear mites will include large amounts of a thick black-brown wax. Swabs should be examined microscopically for the presence of adult mites and/or their eggs. Gross lesions relating to sarcoptic mange are characterised by swollen feet, evidence of self-mutilation and nail loss. Microscopically, mange lesions will include marked ulceration and hyperkeratosis of the skin. There may also be some cross sections of mites in the epidermis or deep under the overlying crust. Skin scrapings may microscopically demonstrate demodectic mange via the presence of nymphs or adults. Skin biopsies should reveal moderate hyperkeratosis and the presence of mites (cigar shaped) within the hair follicles.
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