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 which appear to have overwhelming bacterial infections
that are unresponsive to a wide range of treatments.  Several unusual
findings have linked animals autopsied 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Recent postings on the FML 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 euthanatized without
treatment.
 
The prospect of euthanatizing 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.
 
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)
 
- 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
 
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 autopsy, the widest range of tissues
should be taken.  Once again, equal halves can be formalin-fixed and
frozen.
 
Screening of cytologic preps and formalin-fixed tissues will be performed
to determine if further investigation (bacteriology, virology, etc.) is
warranted on frozen tissue.
 
If you know of a current case that would fit these criteria, please
contact me at [log in to unmask] or 202-782-2392.
 
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 4417]