ferret - Articles
Blue ferret syndrome
Introduction
- Cause: idiopathic.
- Signs: blue discoloration of the ventral abdominal skin occurring in ferrets, usually where fur has been clipped during the catagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
- Diagnosis: clinical signs with consistent history, skin biopsy.
- Treatment: none needed.
- Prognosis: very good.
Presenting signs
- Blueish discoloration of the ventral abdominal skin after clipping of the fur.
- No other symptoms.
Acute presentation
- As above.
Geographic incidence
- Worldwide.
Gender predisposition
- None apparent.
- Seen in ferrets of both sexes, entire or neutered.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Unknown.
- Idiopathic syndrome.
- First reported by Burgmann (1991).
Predisposing factors
General
- Clipping of fur during the catagen (intermediate phase) of the hair growth cycle.
Pathophysiology
- The clipped area remains hairless, then turns blue.
- It seems that the hair follicles produce melanin, which is incorporated into the new growing hairs, giving the blue hue.
Timecourse
- Hair growth restarts within 1-2 weeks of the blue color appearing.
- The discoloration disappears after a few weeks.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Johnson-Delaney C A (2017) Disorders of the Skin. In: Ferret Medicine and Surgery. CRC Press, USA. pp 325-346.
- Meredith A (2009) Ferrets: Dermatoses. In: BSAVA Manual of Ferrets and Rodents. Eds: Keeble A & Meredith A. BSAVA, UK. pp 269-274.
- Scott D W, Miller W H & Griffin C E (2001) Dermatoses of Pet Rodents, Rabbits and Ferrets. In: Muller and Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology. W B Saunders, USA. pp 1415–1458.
- Burgmann P (1991) Dermatology of Rabbits, Rodents and Ferrets. In: Dermatology for the Small Animal Practitioner. Eds: Nesbitt G H & Ackerman L J. Veterinary Learning Systems, USA. pp 205.