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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Ferret with hind leg weakness caused by spinal tumor

By Keller, Dominique L. et al.·Published in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation·2012·Department of Surgical Sciences (Ellison, Keller, Schneider), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI·View original on Crossref

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Original publication title: Intramedullary lumbosacral teratoma in a domestic ferret ( Mustela putorius furo )

Species:
rodent
Brain & nerves

Plain-English summary

A spayed female ferret, 18 months old, was brought in because she was having trouble using her back legs for about a week. She was also losing weight and showed signs of unsteady movements. The vet found a problem in her lower spine that was causing discomfort and abnormal bending of the vertebrae. Unfortunately, the ferret was euthanized, and tests revealed a tumor in her spine that was affecting her nervous system.

People also search for: ferret hind limb weakness · ferret spine problems · ferret tumor symptoms

Abstract

An 18-month-old, female, spayed domestic ferret ( Mustela putorius furo) was presented for progressive hind limb paresis of 1 week duration. The ferret was mentally appropriate but cachexic and ataxic with neurological deficits, which localized the lesion to the lumbosacral region. A depression in the lumbosacral spine was associated with discomfort on palpation. Results of whole body radiographs were consistent with an abnormal angle between vertebrae L6 and S1, which resulted in hyperflexion of the spine. The ferret was euthanized, and histopathological examination revealed an intramedullary lumbosacral teratoma effacing much of the spine in the region of the mass.

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Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638712442882