Chemotactic properties and absence of the formyl peptide receptor in ferret (Mustela putorius furo) neutrophils

This study describes a chemotaxis assay of ferret polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). The optimal conditions for this chemotaxis assay were investigated for three chemoattractants: zymosan activated serum (ZAS), recombinant human interleukin-8 (rhIL-8) and N-formyl-Met-Leu- Phe (fMLF). In this study, ferret polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) reacted to ZAS and rhIL-8, but not fMLF. The optimal concentration of ZAS and rhIL-8 were 5% and 100 ng/ml, respectively. The optimal incubation time of each reagent was 60 min. Due to the lack of response shown from fMLF, the existence of formyl peptide receptors (FPR) on ferret PMNs was investigated by evaluating FPR binding using flow cytometry. The receptor was not detected, implying that ferret neutrophils may lack FPR. This study confirms the fundamental experimental conditions for ferret PMNs chemotaxis and elucidates new findings concerning FPR in ferret neutrophils.     

Figurate Erythema Resembling Erythema Annulare Centrifugum in a Ferret with Adrenocortical Adenocarcinoma-associated Alopecia

Resumen— Describimos un caso de alopecia simétrica bilateral en un hurón hembra esterilizada de 3 años. El cuadro resultó estar asociado con un adenocarcinoma adrenocortical y con concentraciones séricas elevadas de estradiol. Además el animal presentaba eritema figurado en la zona dorsolateral, lumbosacra y en la cola con caracteristicas clinicas e histopatológicas parecidas al eritema annulare centrifugum de la especie humana. El eritema figurado se trató con éxito con un producto comercial que contiene el ácido graso omega-3/omega-6. [Scott D. W., Gould, J. W., Cayatte, S. M., Lawrence, H. J., Miller, W. H., Jr. Figurate erythema resembling erythema annulare centrifugum in a ferret with adrenocortical adenocar-cinoma-associated alopecia (Eritema figurado parecido a eritema anulare centrifugum en un hurón con alopecia asociada a un adenocarcinoma adrenocortical).
Abstract— Bilaterally symmetric alopecia and vulvar enlargement is reported in a 3-year-old, spayed female ferret. The condition was ultimately shown to be associated with an adrenocortical adenocarcinoma and elevated serum estradiol concentrations. In addition, the ferret had a figurate erythema over the dorsolateral lumbosacral region and tail that was clinically and histopathologically similar to erythema annulare centrifugum in humans. The figurate erythema was successfully treated with a commercial omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid-containing product.     

Studies on vertical transmission of Trichinella spp. in experimentally infected ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), pigs, guinea pigs and mice

Vertical transmission of Trichinella spiralis was evaluated in ferrets (n = 21), foxes (n = 11), pigs (n = 12), guinea pigs (n = 16), and mice (n = 41). The placental barrier to be crossed by migratory Trichinella larvae varies structurally in different animal species. Ferrets and foxes have an endotheliochorial placenta structure, guinea pigs and mice a haemochorial, and pigs an epitheliochorial placenta. The non-encapsulating Trichinella pseudospiralis larvae have an extended muscle migration prior to entering a muscle cell. To evaluate if T. pseudospiralis was more likely to be transmitted to offspring, an additional group of foxes (n = 11) infected with T. pseudospiralis was included. Two different dose levels were used for ferrets, pigs, guinea pigs, and mice. In pigs and guinea pigs, infection was given at different times of the gestation period. Vertical transmission, measured as recovery of muscle larvae in the offspring, was demonstrated in both ferrets groups, in all four guinea pig groups, and in the high dose mouse group, but not in any fox or pig groups.     

MOTOR AND SENSORY NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY IN THE FERRET

Ferrets are considered a popular small mammal pet, and like other companion animals they are reported to suffer from diseases affecting the neuromuscular system. There currently is a lack of comprehensive electrodiagnostic study regarding the appendicular nerves of ferrets. In this research investigation, 25 domestic ferrets were used for electromyography and motor nerve conduction studies of the tibial, fibular, ulnar, and radial nerves, including H reflexes of the tibial and ulnar nerves, as well as sensory conduction of the fibular nerve. Mean and standard deviations for motor and sensory nerve studies were established. The hypothesis that weight would be correlated with all distal and proximal compound muscle action potential latencies was tested and confirmed for the tibial, fibular, and radial nerves but not the ulnar nerve.     

Why is eradication of invasive mustelids so difficult?

We conducted two field experiments to explore the reactions of feral ferrets (Mustela furo) to traps and bait dispensers set on pastoral farmland in central North Island, New Zealand. First, in 2004 we showed that only six of 13 radio-collared ferrets resident near four observation stations approached to within 8 m of two stations, and only three of the six entered over 8 days of observation. Five of the 15 ferrets available on the 6000 ha study area eluded recapture, although all remained present. Second, in 2006 we monitored the survival of 23 radio-collared ferrets before, throughout and after a 5-week field experiment, using toxic bait deployed in 20 automated bait dispensers distributed over 2554 ha. Eight ferrets entered a bait dispenser: four entered but did not take the bait; two did not visit but were killed by secondary poisoning; and nine never entered a bait dispenser. After the experiment, intensive live trapping guided by repeated radio-location surveys retrieved only two of 13 collared ferrets that were definitely still alive on the study area. Inefficiency of trapping wide-ranging mustelids such as ferrets, stoats (Mustela erminea) and mink (Neovison vison) is probably commonplace, due to lack of opportunity (if animals take longer to find or enter a trap than it remains available) and/or to active avoidance (refusal to enter traps or to take bait). Our results provide confirmed examples of both, and help explain why short-term or seasonal control of invasive mustelids is often very inefficient, and eradication unlikely.