Manuals - sample chapters

Presentation of the dog with acute abdominal pain is common in veterinary practice. The general causes of abdominal pain include: distension of a hollow viscus or organ capsule; ischaemia; traction; and inflammation secondary to a variety of conditions. This chapter considers an approach to the acute abdomen, an approach to the swollen abdomen and surgical management. Quick Reference Guides: FAST scan; Abdominocentesis; Diagnostic peritoneal lavage.

Ferret skin is thick, especially around the head and neck, and has a deep subcutis. This can make venipuncture and subcutaneous injection problematical. The skin contains numerous sebaceous glands, causing the hair coat to feel normally slightly greasy and have a characteristic musky odour. In albino animals, sebaceous secretions may cause yellowing of the hair coat with age, especially in intact males. Ferrets also have two prominent perianal scent glands, the contents of which are expelled when the animal is excited or agitated, or in oestrus. Normal ferrets may also have comedones present on the skin of the tail. Ferrets do not have well developed sweat glands and this, combined with the thick coat, makes them susceptible to heat stress and heat stroke. This chapter considers Approach to the skin case; Parasitic skin disease; Bacterial disease; Fungal disease; Viral disease; Endocrine disease; Neoplasia; and Miscellaneous conditions.