The ferret, Mustela putorius furo, as a new species in toxicology

Abstract

Summary Comprehensive studies on the haematology, urine chemistry, serum chemistry and gross pathology have been carried out and reported. Seasonal weight changes were confirmed and were initiated, together with sexual activity, when ferrets were brought in to a constant temperature (18–19°C) and 14–hour daylight cycle during the winter months. Levels of haemoglobin, erythrocytes and haematocrit were higher than in most common laboratory species. Similarly, serum electrolytes and glucose levels were higher than in Wistar rats or beagle dogs. Ovaries, uteri and testes displayed a seasonal maturation and atrophy. All other parameters were similar to common laboratory species.

Haematological and serum chemistry profiles of ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

“…values obtained with mink (Kennedy, 1935;Kubin & Mason, 1948;Rotenberg & Jorgenson, 1971) and with albino ferrets (Thornton et al, 1979). Age-related changes in lymphocytes and neutrophils have been reported for other animal species (Schalm, Jain & Carroll, 1975 (Freedland, Hjerpe & Cornelius, 1965), and is apparently present in high concentrations in ferret erythrocytes.…”

“…Comparisons between normal and diseased animals may aid in establishing a clinical diagnosis. Few haematological values have been reported for ferrets (Pyle, 1940;Hahn & Wester, 1969;Hawkey, 1975;Wintrobe, Lee, Boggs & Bithell, 1976) although Thornton, Wright, Sacra & Goodier (1979) examined in detail blood chemistry profiles for albino ferrets. In the present investigation haematological and chemical profiles were determined in clinically normal fitch or polecat ferrets (with brown coat), those that are most commonly available for laboratory use in the United States.…”

Sodium and potassium transport in ferret red cells.

“…Interestingly, ferret red cells contain a high proportion of reticulocytes. The mean proportion is 4 %, with a range from 1-14 % (Thornton, Wright, Sacra & Goodier, 1979 Parker & Harper, 1980). It is an attractive possibility that much of the bumetanide-resistant sodium transport in ferret red cells is due to calciumactivated sodium transport.…”

Isolation and Chemiluminescent Properties of Ferret (Mustela putorius furo) Polymorphonuclear Cells

“…Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are a useful animal model for toxicology and human respiratory infectious diseases, such as influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome [14,[21][22][23]. Recently, the reports of tumors in domestic ferrets have increased as the number of domestic ferrets used as companion animals has increased.…”