ZOONOSES OF FERRETS
Use of animals from approved vendors and proper use of personal protective equipment makes the risk of transmission of these diseases unlikely.
PATHOGEN
TRANSMISSION
Dermatophytosis
“Ringworm”
Sarcoptes scabiei

direct contact

direct contact, fomites
Campylobacter spp.

Leptospirosis

direct contact, fecaloral
exposure to the urine
of infected animal
ANIMAL DISEASE




papular dermatitis, circular alopecia
keratinization, crusting, inflammation
inflammed, encrusted paws and nails
generalized alopecia with intense pruritus



mild diarrhea
asymptomatic carriers
typically asymptomatic, see icterus or
hepatitis if signs appear
HUMAN DISEASE








Salmonellosis
Giardiasis



fecal-oral
fecal-oral
contaminated water


can cause severe GI disease, diarrhea
Usually asymptomatic, diarrhea


Cryptosporidium spp.


subclinical infection

Mycobacterium spp.

direct contact, fecaloral
direct contact, fecaloral



chronic weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting
granulomatous inflammation
progressive paralysis




high susceptible, but mostly mild disease
fever, lethargy, anorexia
nasal, ocular discharge, sneezing


rare in domestic ferrets, signs of
incoordination, altered mentation,
neurologic disease, hypersalivation,
paralysis

Influenza
(Orthomyxovirus)


Rabies

inhalation, direct
contact
human-to-ferret
transmission
saliva, cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF), aerosols
created from brain,
spinal cord or CSF

superficial infection of skin
keratinization, crusting, inflammation
usually infests face, ears, forelimbs, torso
vesicle or papule formation, keratinization
alopecia with intense pruritus
diarrhea, acute gastroenteritis, nausea,
vomiting, cramps, fever
headache, myalgia, conjunctivitis,
hepatomegaly, renal insufficiency,
jaundice (L. icterohemorrhagiae)
gastrointestinal dyscrasias, diarrhea,
nausea, vomiting
severe gastroenteritis
Diarrhea, usually mild,
immunocompromised individuals at
increased risk
immunocompromised patients are highly
susceptible to severe, persistent diarrhea
circumscribed cutaneous granulomatous
disease at infection site
immunocompromised individuals may
develop disseminated respiratory disease,
lymphadenitis, arthritis, osteomyelitis
“flu”-signs: anorexia, coughing, sneezing,
lacrimation, sinusitis, fever, muscle aches
initial signs resemble flu-like illness,
progresses to hypersalivation, anxiety,
confusion, slight or partial paralysis,
excitation, hallucinations, agitation,
difficulty swallowing
01/06/14
References
Acha, PN and B Szyfres. 1989. Zoonoses and Communicable Diseases Common to Man and Animals. Pan American Health Organization,
Washington, D.C.
Hillyer, EV and KE Quesenberry. 2011. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA.
Fox, JG. 1988. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret. Lea & Febiger Publishing, Philadelphia, PA.
Global Health Disease Fact Sheets, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA, http://www.cdc.gov/
01/06/14