Oral ulceration in Ferrets | Vetlexicon
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Oral ulceration


Introduction

  • Ulcers of the mucosa anywhere in the mouth, but most commonly on the buccal mucosa or hard palate.
  • Cause: stress, systemic disease, renal disease, lymphoma, oral neoplasia, toxin ingestion.
  • Signs: visible ulcer.
  • Diagnosis: full workup.
  • Treatment: treat underlying cause of ulcer; sucralfate liquid, analgesia to soothe ulcer(s).
  • Prognosis: good.

Presenting signs

  • Visible ulceration.
  • Anorexia, gagging, hypersalivation, bruxism, likely due to pain.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

  • There is usually a history of stress or systemic disease such as renal disease or lymphoma.
  • They may also present with dental disease.
  • Although ulcers resemble herpes virus ulcers in other species, no virus as yet been found.
  • Oral ulceration has been seen with electrocution.
  • Ulcers usually painful.
  • There may be concurrent tonsillitis Tonsillitis.

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.
  • Johnson-Delaney C A (2016) Anatomy and Disorders of the Oral Cavity of Ferrets and Other Exotic Companion Carnivores. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 19 (3), 901-928 PubMed.
  • Johnson-Delaney C A (2010) Emerging Ferret Diseases. J Exotic Pet Med 19 (3), 207-215.

Other sources of information

  • Hoefer H L, Fox J G & Bell J A (2012) Ferrets: Gastrointestinal Diseases. In: Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. 3rd edn. Eds: Quesenberry K E & Carpenter J W. Elsevier Saunders, USA. pp 27-45.