Helicobacter Mustelae in Ferrets
Under normal conditions, the Helicobacter bacteria are benign inhabitants of the intestinal tract, being found in several species, including domestic animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets and pigs, and in humans. The most common organism affecting ferrets is the Helicobacter mustelae, which is most often acquired through the weaning process. However, only a small percentage of these ferrets will develop clinically significant Helicobacter-associated disease, especially those that are stressed or are suffering from another concurrent disease.
Moreover, H. mustelae is seen more commonly in North America as compared to Europe. This may be due to variations in the Helicobacter strains. The mean age range of helicobacter-induced disease in ferrets is 3 months to 3 years of age.
An investigation of the relationship of gastric disease to Helicobacter-like organisms has resulted in the discovery of H. mustelae in ferrets as a cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers. The bacteria has also been associated with gastric cancer in ferrets.
Symptoms and Types
Although some ferrets will display no symptoms, many affected ferrets will paw at their mouth when nauseated or clench and grind their teeth (bruxism). Other common signs associated with H. mustelae infection include:
- Black, bloody stool (melena)
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss (indicates chronic disease)
- Pallor of the mucous membranes (due to chronic blood loss)
- Poor hair coat or hair loss (alopecia)
H. mustelae is thought to be transmitted during the weaning process, though stress and concurrent illnesses are factors that may make the ferret more susceptible to infection.
To establish a causal relationship between infection with Helicobacter and clinical signs, a gastric biopsy via laparotomy is needed. Exploratory laparotomy is also useful to evaluate the extent of gastric pathology and to rule out foreign bodies, cancer, and intestinal inflammatory diseases, but is not indicated in every case.
Alternatively, a presumptive diagnosis may be made based on identification of suggestive clinical signs, exclusion of other diagnoses, and a favorable response to empirical treatment.
A medical condition in which the stomach becomes inflamed
Extreme loss of blood
The study of the causes and development of disease
Anything having to do with the stomach
The term for black feces that has blood in it
Losing of strength; becoming weaker.
Not being able to cause harm; the opposite of malignant.
The process of removing tissue to examine it, usually for medical reasons.
The tendency for an animal to grit its teeth.
A condition of the blood in which normal red blood cell counts or hemoglobin are lacking.