Practical anatomy and physical examination: Ferrets, rabbits, rodents, and other selected species (Proceedings)

Integument

Ferrets have a double coat of fur; the thick outer coat and a lighter undercoat. Some ferrets may become lighter in color with the summer molt, darkening again in the fall or winter. This is more prominent in ferrets kept outdoors. The skin of ferrets is thick, even when neutered.

Digestive system

Dental formula: Adult dentition erupts at 50-74 days, beginning with the canine teeth. Dental formula is 2 (I3/3 C1/1 PM 3/3 M3/3). Ferrets have typical carnivore dentition, closed rooted, with powerful long-rooted canine teeth. The stomach is in the left cranial abdomen and can greatly expand. Ferrets can vomit. The small intestine is about 180-200 cm; there is no demarcation between the jejunum and ileum. Ferrets lack an ileocolic valve. The scent or musk glands (anal sacs) are located at either side of the anal canal. Gastrointestinal transit time in ferrets is approximately 3 hours.

Urogenital system

The kidneys are located retroperitoneally, and can easily be palpated in most ferrets. They are fairly mobile within the abdominal cavity. The bladder normally holds about 10 ml of fluid at low pressure. In females, the ovaries are caudal to the kidneys. The uterus is comprised of two long horns, a short uterine body, and a single cervix. Most ferrets are spayed or castrated prior to sale. The vulva is small. In males, the penis contains a J-shaped os penis. There is prostatic glandular tissue at the base of the bladder which may surround the urethra.

Respiratory system

The ferret trachea can be easily visualized for intubation. The left lung is comprised of cranial and caudal lobes. The right lung has 3 lobes, the cranial, middle, and caudal. There is a 6th accessory lobe. Anatomy is similar to that of most mammals. The respiratory system is elongated in comparison to most mammals.

Cardiovascular system

The heart is located further caudally than most mammals, between the 6th and 8th ribs. There may be periapical fat, creating the radiographic appearance of elevation from the sternum on a lateral view.

The liver has two crura and is divided into 6 lobes. The spleen lies predominantly on the left side of the abdomen, running along the greater curvature of the stomach, and can vary greatly in size depending on age and state of health. The spleen will enlarge greatly in the anesthetized ferret.

Musculoskeletal System

The ferret has short legs and an elongated body. A healthy ferret will have an arched back which may become more prominent with ambulation. Loss of this arch may represent weakness or illness. The ferret spine is extremely flexible, making spinal or disk injuries extremely rare. Unlike most mammals, the ferret has 15 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar, and 3 sacral vertebrae. There are 5 toes on each of the four feet, also with non-retractable claws. Nails can be easily trimmed but should not be declawed.

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