Demodectic Mange Associated With Lymphoma in a Ferret

Beaufrere, Hugues; Neta, Michal; Smith, Dale A.; Taylor, W. Michael

doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2008.10.007

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Volume 18, Issue 1 , Pages 57-61, January 2009

Demodectic Mange Associated With Lymphoma in a Ferret

Hugues Beaufrere, Dr.Med.Vet.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University–School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA USA
- Address correspondence to: Hugues Beaufrere, Dr.Med.Vet., Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University–School of Veterinary Medicine, Skip Bertman Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Michal Neta, DVM
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Dale A. Smith, DVM, DVSc
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
W. Michael Taylor, DVM
- Avian and Exotic Service, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Clinical demodicosis is rare in the ferret, and in other species this condition is commonly associated with concurrent immunosuppression. A 4-year-old ferret was examined for alopecia of the face and tail. Skin scrapings of the face and otic cerumen preparations revealed the presence of a large number of Demodex species. The ferret was also diagnosed with adrenal cortical disease based on clinical signs and elevated blood estradiol. Dermatologic lesions improved with oral ivermectin treatment, but the ferret re-presented for lethargy, weight loss, and anorexia 3 weeks later. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates from an enlarged mesenteric lymph node and the spleen revealed cytologic abnormalities consistent with high-grade lymphoma. This case description is the first, to our knowledge, of spontaneous clinical demodicosis in a ferret.

Key words: demodicosis, Demodex species, ferret, immunosuppression, lymphoma