Hepatic lipidosis in Ferrets | Vetlexicon
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Hepatic lipidosis

ISSN 2398-2985


Synonym(s): Fatty liver syndrome, Steatosis

Introduction

  • Cause: liver becomes infiltrated with fat. Anorexia and sudden weight loss predispose the condition.
  • Signs: anorexia; may be subclinical; related to whatever disease process precipitated initial weight loss; hepatomegaly in severe cases.
  • Diagnosis: radiography, ultrasonography, ultrasound-guided transdermal biopsy, exploratory surgery and biopsy. 
  • Treatment: critical care diet, treatment of underlying disease, antibiotics (enrofloxacin, amoxicillin), ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol).
  • Prognosis: good if underlying cause treated.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

  • Anorexia and sudden weight loss predispose the condition.
  • Other factors might play a role in its development, eg coronavirus enteritis Ferret systemic coronavirus, hepatic lymphocytic hepatitis Hepatitis that compromises hepatic function, steroid usage, endocrine dyscrasias.

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.
  • Garcia A, Erdman S E, Xu S et al (2002) Hepatobiliary inflammation, neoplasia, and argyrophilic bacteria in a ferret colony. Vet Pathol 39 (2), 173-179 PubMed.
  •  Lennox A M (2005) Gastrointestinal diseases of the ferret. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 8 (2), 213-225 PubMed.

Other sources of information

  • Perpiñán D & Johnson-Delaney C A (2017) Disorders of the Digestive System and Liver. In: Ferret Medicine and Surgery. CRC Press, USA. pp 159-190.
  • Maurer K J & Fox J G (2014) Diseases of the gastrointestinal system. In: Biology and Diseases of the Ferret. 3rd edn. Ed: Fox J G & Marini R P. Wiley & Sons, USA. pp 363-375.
  • Hoefer H L, Fox J G & Bell J A (2012) Gastrointestinal Diseases. In: Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents. 3rd edn. Eds: Quesenberry K E & Carpenter J W. Elsevier, USA. pp 27-45.
  • Burgess M E (2007) Ferret gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases. In: Ferret Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery. 2nd edn. Ed: Lewington J H. Saunders, USA. pp 203-223.