- A ProMed Mail Post
From Bruce Williams, DVM Via - Drew Tenenholz
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- Recently, a number of veterinarians and pathologists
have observed a spike in mortality in young ferrets less than one year
of age. Deaths occur in animals that appear to have overwhelming bacterial
infections that are unresponsive to a wide range of treatments. Several
unusual findings have linked animals necropsied on both the east and west
coasts of the United States, and suggest that a new syndrome may have appeared
in our pet ferret population.
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- This is not an epidemic situation, nor does the disease
appear very contagious at this time. The condition is sporadic and most
commonly affects only a single animal in a household. Unfortunately, even
with the highest levels of care, few animals have survived this condition
once diagnosed.
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- Investigations on these cases to date have failed to
disclose a cause for the condition. This is likely attributable to the
slow progression of disease and the number of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory
drugs, and other treatments that are often used in a valiant attempt to
keep the animals alive.
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- Recent postings on the FML [Ferret Mailing List] and
in other circles on this new syndrome have sparked a lot of interest in
this "mystery disease". One approach that has not yet been tried
is to obtain diagnostic samples from veterinarians and shelter operators
prior to any attempted therapy. This may be in the form of surgical biopsy
of abscessed skeletal muscle or lymph nodes, or necropsy tissue from animals
that have been euthanized without treatment.
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- The prospect of euthanizing an animal without attempting
treatment is loathe to all of us; however, the extended use of antibiotics
and other drugs in these cases (even those to which the organism is not
particularly sensitive to) likely lowers the concentration of the agent
to an extent where we cannot successfully culture it, or view it under
the microscope. There is no indication that antibiotics themselves are
causing the problem -- however it is very likely that they are masking
the true culprit. Let me also clarify that this particular disease has
not been linked to any breeder, pet store, distribution center, activity,
or anything at all at this point.
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- We are looking for tissue samples from animals less than
1 year of age who are exhibiting the following signs of acute disease:
persistent high fever (greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit [40 degrees
Celsius]) markedly elevated white blood cell count discomfort or pain in
the hind legs enlargement of one or more peripheral nodes cellulitis or
abscessation of peripheral nodes or adjacent soft tissue
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- Proper collection of tissues is paramount. Surgical biopsies,
such as enlarged lymph nodes, should be bisected and several touch imprints
of the cut surface prepared and air-dried for cytologic examination and
gram staining. Half of the tissue can then be placed in formalin; the other
half should be immediately frozen for bacteriological examination. If an
untreated animal is presented for necropsy, the widest range of tissues
should be taken. Once again, equal halves can be formalin-fixed and frozen.
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- Screening of cytologic preps and formalin-fixed tissues
will be performed to determine whether further investigation (bacteriology,
virology, etc.) is warranted on frozen tissue.
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- If you know of a current case that would fit these criteria,
please contact Bruce Williams, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary
Pathology 202-782-2392 <williamsb@afip.osd.mil>.
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- -- Drew Tenenholz
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- [This unusual condition in ferrets does appear to be
spreading. We post the request to assist the pathologist and to help to
identify the disease. These animals may be sentinels for some disease,
such as SARS, that has not reached an epidemic level or perhaps has not
yet crossed over into people. In an effort to further scientific knowledge,
ProMED-mail requests that authoritative information be sent to us, and
information regarding tissues be sent to Dr. Williams - Mod.TG]
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- ..............tg/pg/sh
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- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD Please visit my "Emerging
Diseases" message board at: http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa Go with God and in Good Health
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