Ferret Fungal Infection Test Diagnosis

The MiDOG test can help ferrets too!

Fungal infections are never fun, and your ferret agrees! Dermatophytosis, which is a fungal infection of the skin, hair, and/or nails, is particularly common in ferrets [1]. If your ferret seems to have an unusual skin condition, it is worthwhile to take your furry friend to an exotic pet veterinarian since your ferret may have a dermatophytosis infection. Dermatophytosis is uncomfortable but treatable; however, this fungal infection is highly contagious and is a zoonotic disease (meaning it can transmit to humans), and therefore needs to be managed with informed care.

What is a Dermatophytosis?

Dermatophytosis (commonly referred to as ringworm or tinea) is a fungal infection characterized by the presence of dermatophytes, which are a type of fungi that require keratin to grow [1,2]. In ferrets, the most common culprits of dermatophytosis infections are Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes fungi, which are transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or contaminated materials that carry the infection [3]. While the carriers of dermatophytes are often other companion animals, recent studies suggest that animal equipment like brushes, collars, bedding, and more can be sources of infection [2]. This is because dermatophytes are highly resistant in various environments, making recurrence common if the root cause of the infection is not addressed [4].

Symptoms of Dermatophytosis in Ferrets

Dermatophytosis presents most often in young ferrets [1]. The condition typically starts with pus-filled lesions called papules that spread peripherally and is often accompanied with small patches of alopecia. These lesions spread when untreated, inflaming and crusting the skin [3]. Moreover, this inflammation may leave the ferret susceptible to secondary bacterial infections [3]. Subclinical cases of dermatophytosis are common, and so monitoring your ferret (especially if you have multiple living in the same area) is important for your furry friend’s health [1]. Common symptoms of dermatophytosis in ferrets include:

  • dandruff
  • poor hair coat or hair loss
  • reddened and/or darkened skin
  • itchiness
  • lesions

MiDOG Exotic Pet Ferret Microbiome

The image above depicts a ferret visiting an exotic pet veterinarian.

Treating Dermatophytosis In Your Ferret

If you think your ferret may have dermatophytosis, the best thing you can do is get a quick and accurate diagnosis from your exotic pet veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms. Delay in care puts your furry friend at risk for complications, including radiation of the infection to other parts of the body, hair loss, scarring, and nail deformities [1]. Although some cases of dermatophytosis in ferrets simply resolve, many cases do require interventions such as topical lime sulfur dips or miconazole/chlorhexidine shampoo baths [1]. An antibiotic treatment plan may also be advised. It is important to note that your ferret’s cage, food bowls, bedding, collar, and any other equipment need to be cleaned as part of the treatment plan [2]. Because dermatophytosis can be transmitted to humans, it is important to wear gloves and handle with care.

Diagnosing Dermatophytosis In Your Ferret

Considering the importance of understanding if your ferret’s dermatophytosis is complicated by bacterial infections, diagnostic tools are critical in delivering quality clinical care. Although culture-based techniques have historically been lauded as the convention, scientific research has provided increasing evidence for the diagnostic benefits of Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) technology. Conventional culture diagnostics have significant limitations in sensitivity to various microorganisms, as many remain undetected by culture methods [5]. The inability of cultures to detect various microorganisms can result in “no growth” cultures despite symptomatic dermatophytosis presentations [5].

Specifically, culturing the causative fungi of dermatophytosis is difficult, because culturing these fungi requires a step known as sedimentation. Various studies have found that “sedimentation is not totally efficient” in separating fungal structures making it difficult to actually perform the culture [6]. Moreover, other studies found that while “positive fungal cultures may offer proof of infection, negative cultures are less definitive” [1]. Consequently, NGS has increasingly been used to diagnose fungal infections in ferrets. For example, one study identifying the environmental source of infection for a domestic ferret with cryptococcosis found a wide range of fungal and bacterial contaminants that had previously been reported absent due to negative cultures [8].

The MiDOG All-in-One microbiome test may provide the answer to the diagnostic conundrum that dermatophytosis poses on your furry friend. Utilizing NGS technology to detect and quantify all microbial DNA through untargeted and comprehensive sequencing and quantitative comparisons to reference databases, the MiDOG NGS technology provides a useful opportunity to shed light on the microbial and mycobial makeup of your ferret’s infection for clinical application. The MiDOG microbiome test is a microbial identification test grounded on scientific research that provides veterinarians DNA evidence for the guided treatment of ferret infections, such as dermatophytosis.

MiDOG swab microbiome test diagnosis infection dog cat

The MiDOG Swab Collection Kit

Find out if your vet uses MiDOG before you book your next appointment!


References:

[1] Moriello, K., Coyner, K., Paterson, S., & Mignon, B. (2017). Diagnosis and treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats. Veterinary Dermatology, 28(3), 266-e68. doi: 10.1111/vde.12440

[2] Morrisey, J. (2020). Infectious Diseases of Ferrets. Retrieved from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/ferrets/infectious-diseases-of-ferrets

[3] Wolf T. M. (2009). FERRETS. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice, 345–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-141600119-5.50016-0

[4] Dworecka-Kaszak, B., Biegańska, M.J. & Dąbrowska, I. Occurrence of various pathogenic and opportunistic fungi in skin diseases of domestic animals: a retrospective study. BMC Vet Res 16, 248 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02460-x

[5] Krumbreck, J., 2021. Canine Urin Microbiome: Assessment of Bacterial and Fungal Populations in Clinically Healthy Dogs Using Next-Generation-Sequencing. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

[6] Aneke, C. I., Otranto, D., & Cafarchia, C. (2018). Therapy and Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of Microsporum canis. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland), 4(3), 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof4030107

[7] Schmertmann, L. J., Wardman, A., Setyo, L., Kan, A., Meyer, W., Malik, R., & Krockenberger, M. B. (2019). Identification of the environmental source of infection for a domestic ferret with cryptococcosis. Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc, 31(6), 828–835. https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638719876968


Categories: Ferrets, Fungal Infections, Next-Gen DNA Sequencing Technology, Skin Health

animal diagnostics

Validated by Veterinarians

“Clients expect their veterinarians to stay up to date on all matters that affect the health and well being of their non-human family members. The current technique that we have used to determine the presence and antibiotic sensitivity of organisms causing disease in our pets is over a century old.

With the emergence of dangerous antibacterial resistance, it is critical that veterinarians are able to offer laser focused diagnostics and treatment. MiDog enables us to offer care that exceeds the typical standard of care.”

Bernadine Cruz, DVM, Laguna Hills Animal Hospital Laguna Woods, CA

“I love the absolute abundance and comparing the fungal with bacterial infection. I do not worry as much about getting a false negative urinary infection reading as I do with traditional urine cultures. Several times the same urine would culture negative but MiDOG would detect pathogens.”

Michael Morgan, DVMQuail Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“The MiDOG All-in-One Test is amazing, I would use it instead of culture and sensitivity.  Such rapid and detailed results, I will reach for MiDOG before culture next time!

Thank you very much MiDOG, for sharing the opportunity to try your technology.”

Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, President of Forensic Veterinary Investigations, LLC – Boston, MA

The MiDOG All-in-One Microbial Test is our new gold standard of pathogen identification. The results are so accurate and valuable – especially with assessing both bacterial and fungal infections with the same sample.

Thank you MiDOG!”

Kathy Wentworth, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Canine and Feline Practice – PetPoint Medical Center, Irvine, CA

“The MiDOG staff was extremely helpful and supportive.”

Cathy Curtis, DVM – London, UK

“I have had great results using the MiDOG® Test. Compared to traditional culture tests, I am better able to target the treatment for dogs because the MiDOG® Test is so sensitive that it identifies all pathogens including bacteria and fungi, as well as antibiotic sensitivity.

The cost and turnaround time are about the same as a culture test, but I get much more data. The test has great performance and I believe the NGS technology will be a game changer for veterinarians treating dogs with lesions or other infections.”

Michael Kavanagh, DVM, Practice owner – Saddleback Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“It’s helpful to have an NGS spectrum because it gives you a broader insight of what’s happening and what might be going on.”

Richard Harvey BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS – European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology – Head of Dermatology, Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service – Solihull, England UK

“I have been using MiDog for over 4 years now and exclusively as my test of choice for all cultures for 3 years.  It is so great to submit a culture and feel confident there will be a result when it comes back, especially for urine cultures.  The reports were intimidating at first because they contain so much information.  After the first few, I am now quickly able to glance over it and pick out the highlights.  I can then come back later and pour over all the details.  I have been extremely pleased with my patients’ results using the test as well.  I don’t envision ever going back to traditional culture and susceptibilities again.”

Brian M. Urmson, DVM, Columbiana Veterinary Associates

“As an exotic veterinarian, there are numerous tests we have to consider to check specific bacterial and fungal organisms based on the species. MiDOG eliminates the need for many of these separate samples and provides definitive results quickly to help us treat our patients more efficiently and effectively. The lab is wonderful to work with and has never rejected our samples- they even processed a lizard toe we amputated and determined the cause of skin infection.”

Dr. Melissa Giese, Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital

“MiDOG’s diagnostic approach offers the unique ability to identify pathogens that evade traditional culture and sensitivity testing. I have found that adding a molecular based testing approach in the form of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) from MiDOG to my routine diagnostic cultures can be extremely helpful in the identification and diagnosis of uncommon pathogens in veterinary medicine.”

Dr. Wayne Rosenkrantz, Animal Dermatology Clinic – Tustin

“She [Dr. Krumbeck] really did a great job of making complicated concepts accessible and demonstrating the value of your services. I’m really looking forward to working with MiDOG on my research project!”

Dr. Yaicha Peters, Animal Dermatology Clinic – San Diego

“As a proud collaborator with MiDOG, I deeply appreciate their dedication to fostering partnerships between industry and veterinary experts. Their commitment to enhancing diagnostic quality for veterinarians is commendable. In my experience, their support has been invaluable, earning them a ‘Double A+, Triple Star’ rating. Their assistance has been faultless, contributing significantly to the success of my projects and studies. I eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration.”

Dr. Richard Harvey, BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS; European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology

“We’re seeing that, if we prescribe too many antibiotics or they’re taken too frequently, animals are developing inappropriate or pathogenic strains of bacteria. We’re also seeing that our antibiotics are just not working against them anymore… It’s a good example of why we need better diagnostic testing, like MiDOG, so that we’re selecting the correct antibiotic every time our patients have an infection.”

Dr. Alissa Rexo, DVM, CVA, DACVD, Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Dermatology

“The NGS technique as offered by MiDOG is wonderful because pathogens like Melissococcus plutonius, for example, are difficult to grow and keep alive in the laboratory. A standard laboratory cannot truly examine or even properly diagnose this pathogen in bee hives at this time. But with NGS, we can reliably diagnose it.”

Dr. Joerg Mayer, Entomologist and Microbiologist at the University of Georgia

“For me, as a clinician and as a researcher, I see the immense value in the product [the All-in-One Test]. I have had great success using MiDOG clinically, including identifying Mycoplasma in a 24 year old pigeon, a Nannizziopsis spp in a ball python from a large pet distributor, Mycoplasma and Fusobacterium necrophorum co-infection in a peacock, and to identify an abnormal gut GI in a technician’s dog that tested negative for everything else (but we were able to establish what was abnormal, and work toward fixing it).”

Dr. Jeremy Rayl – Veterinarian, Block House Creek Animal Hospital, Cedar Park, Texas

“With MiDog results I not only receive a list of organisms detected in the sample, but also cell counts which allow me to target the most abundant pathogens or the most pathogenic. The identification of antimicrobial resistance genes is also helpful in selecting an appropriate antibiotic. Another benefit is that sample handling is less prone to risk of overgrowth and is stable at room temperature. Easy and informative. A great tool in our diagnostic toolbox!!”

Lauren Palmer DVM, MPH, Marine mammal Care Center Los Angeles