Pets Minks, like other pets, are susceptible to disease. As the owner of pet mink, it is best to pay attention to the little knowledge about its health, and do a good job in nursing training, so that when the mink is sick, it can be known and not at a loss. So what common diseases will pet minks get in a preventive way?

1. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a There are many symptoms that can cause diarrhea. The common ones are physical irritation, bacterial infection and viral infection.

Feeding nut snacks and swallowing indigestible foreign bodies can cause diarrhea, usually with snot-like feces, sometimes mixed with blood and undigested foreign bodies. Easily changing grains or adding other feeds can also cause diarrhea.

Diarrhea caused by bacterial infection is mostly caused by eating spoiled mink food and unclean mink drinking water. It is more common that the defecation is very loose and unformed, the sick mink is depressed, and the feed intake decreases.

Stress can also easily lead to diarrhea, especially within a day or two after the pet mink arrives at the specialty store after long-distance transportation. This condition can recover on its own without treatment.

2. Coughing and sneezing

Generally, it is a transient cough that does not require treatment and can be followed for observation. If there is a persistent cough, it is necessary to find out whether the foreign body is stuck in the throat, and the cough also occurs during the hair loss period. For example, if several minks are placed in the same space, the customer may also find coughing or sneezing when they receive the mink due to mutual hair stimulation. It usually heals on its own without treatment.

Cough symptoms can also occur when you have a cold and need to be treated accordingly.

Feasible treatment: Gentamicin injection, 0.3ml/kg intramuscularly, twice a day. The remaining injection solution can be stored in washed penicillin vials. Commonly used cephalosporin antibiotics in pet hospitals can also be used. Severe diarrhea needs to be fed with glucose saline, which is fed with a syringe from the corner of the mouth to the mouth. Severe physical deficiency can inject dexamethasone, 0.3ml/kg subcutaneous injection. Nutritional ointment is helpful for post-recovery and convalescence.

The diarrhea caused by virus infection is more serious and will be explained separately.

Try not to change the feed composition at will, and use the designated food.

3. Eye disease

The main symptoms of eye disease are cloudy eyeball, excessive secretions sticking to the eyelids, swelling of the eyelids, pustules on the upper and lower eyelids Wait.

The cloudy eyeball occurs in the older mink, which is cloudy due to aging, and eye trauma can also cause cloudy eyeball. Trauma caused by the mink can be used eye drops, generally can be cured.

Excessive secretions that stick to the eyelids and swelling of the eyelids are usually caused by bacterial infection and can be easily treated with hydrocortisone eye drops.

The pustules on the eyelids are mostly caused by trauma. The treatment method: cut a small wound on the pustule, squeeze out the pus, sprinkle with anti-inflammatory powder, and treat with antibiotic injection for 3 to 5 days to cure.

Fever and canine distemper may also produce purulent eye mucus, which should be treated accordingly.

Entropion is a rare abnormal growth condition in which the skin of the eyelid part of the mink is loose and the edge of the eyelid is turned towards the eyeball, causing the eyelashes to continuously irritate the eyeball, the eye is stimulated to continuously flow out tears and mucus, and the eyelids stick together . This situation will be resolved on-site before shipment, and generally will not affect customers.

Cataracts can also occur in older mink. The eyeballs are whitened and the appearance is obvious.

Feasible treatment: simple eye turbidity, tears, and mucus, you can wipe the eyes and the surrounding area with absorbent cotton dipped in normal saline, and then drop 2~3 drops of eye drops, 2~3 drops a day Second-rate.

4. Ear diseases

Mainly ear mites

Infected with ear mites, there are brown-black exudates in the ear canal of the mink Scab, the sick mink scratches the ears with their claws or rubs the ears against the cage wall from time to time. The treatment starts with cleaning the external auditory canal, and then spraying with a pet miticide.

Available treatment: After cleaning the ear canal, wipe the ear canal with 2% boric acid solution or Bayer's Sebaan.

5. Skin Diseases

There are two common mink diseases, one is skin wounds, which can be bitten by pet minks or by sharp instruments stab wound. If the wound is not large, you can simply clean the wound, disinfect it, and apply iodine.

Another common one is skin parasitic infection. such as mites and fleas. Symptoms of mite infestation are redness of the skin, hair loss (not the molting kind, which is localized), erythema, crusting, and dander where the hair is shed. Sick minks often scratch their ears, belly or gnaw the skin of their abdomens with their claws. Treatment can be sprayed with Flaine for pets, or by intramuscular injection.

2% boric acid can also be used for scabs and wounds caused by parasitic infections on the body surface. After cleaning the wounds, wiping the boric acid, it can be combined with anthelmintic drugs such as Tongxian at the same time.

Fleas mostly occur in mink dens with excessive humidity, and can also be transmitted by other animals. Breeds quickly in high humidity environments. If it is found that the mink is constantly scratching its abdomen with its hind limbs, check the abdominal hair for live fleas, and there are scabs the size of millet grains on the skin.

Feasible treatment: In the case of scabies mites, first shave the wound with a dull blade, then apply iodine, once a day, or apply Bayer's Saibaan to rub the lesions, Pfizer's large Petting the back of the neck can also prevent scabies mites. In the case of fleas, use Bayer's Chongshuang or Fulaien drops on the back of the neck (the part where the mink is caught), 2 drops under 1kg, 3 drops for 1~2kg, 3~4 drops for more than 2kg, once a week, continuously 3 drops. Such as simple skin itching, can rub (hydro)cortisone ointment.

6. Colds

It often occurs in the cold winter season or after taking a bath or after being exposed to the rain without drying the hair in time, suddenly suffering from cold stimulation, etc. cause pets to catch a cold. Symptoms generally include chills, tremors, fever, runny nose, and intermittent coughing. Treatment can be used Bupleurum injection 1 ~ 2ml, intramuscular injection 2 times / day. Or use penicillin 150,000 units/kg body weight, intramuscular injection 2 times/day.

Note: Influenza is contagious between humans and minks, so when someone catches a cold or a mink catches a cold, they should take precautions to prevent mutual infection.

Feasible treatment: Chongganshu (Chaihu Injection) or Quanwenning or cephalosporin antibiotics, used when fever, cough, sneezing and other cold symptoms occur. 0.5~1mg/kg, once a day. It can be injected directly after withdrawing with a syringe. If there are fever symptoms, intramuscular injection of analpine nearly 1 mg/kg, once a day, or aminopyrine commonly used in pet hospitals, per kilogram of body weight is the same as or slightly higher than that of dogs. The normal body temperature of mink is 38~39℃, and 38.8℃ is the best. If it is determined that the cold is caused by a cold, it can also be taken orally with Banlangen Granules. Severe infections or severe fever also require subcutaneous dexamethasone.

7. Vomiting

Vomiting is mostly caused by eating too fast, eating foreign bodies, and eating too cold mink food. Therefore, we should pay attention to the quality of the mink's food, do not mix sharp bones and other items, and feed small and frequent meals as the criterion. If you eat a foreign body, you will usually spit it out after vomiting. If it is caused by food, you should change the food in time, eat slowly, the symptoms will be relieved, and finally recover. The symptoms are mild and usually get better without treatment.

If vomiting is accompanied by abnormal defecation, such as black stools and loose stools, it may be a bacterial infection of the digestive tract, which requires injection of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Feasible treatment: oral administration of VB6 and metoclopramide, and stop feeding after cure.

Stomatitis, oral ulcers, gingivitis

Stomatitis, oral ulcers, and gingivitis in pet minks are generally caused by mechanical damage, such as biting foreign objects, dental calculus, etc. Symptoms are red and swollen oral mucosa, salivation, bad breath, reluctance to eat, swollen gums, and ulceration.

These conditions may occur at the same time as a chin pustule and can be treated at the same time.

Feasible treatment: Exclude the cause, remove the foreign body on the ulcer surface or the calculus on the tooth surface, rinse the mouth with 0.1% potassium permanganate solution or 2%~3% boric acid solution, 1~2 times a day. At the same time, feed nutritious fish soup, broth and other liquid foods to reduce irritation to the oral cavity. Clean drinking water should be given to supplement va and vb.

9. Prolapse of the anus

Prolapse of the anus usually only occurs in the mink that has just been sent out, mainly due to surgical reasons. Appearance shows a small section of the rectum protruding from the anus.

Available treatment: Dissolve several crystals of potassium permanganate in water to give a pale pink color. Dip it with a cotton swab and gently wipe the prolapsed part, then push it in a little bit. After the operation, go on a hunger strike for half a day to observe the situation. It usually heals after two days of rubbing. The pet hospital sometimes has some ointment to shrink the anus, which is also effective.

10. Anemia

It is normal for juvenile and young mink to have more or less anemia. However, if the mink's nose, nose and toes have obvious whitening phenomenon compared to before, it may be a disease of the blood or hematopoietic system. It is recommended to go to the pet hospital for a blood smear test. If conditions permit, you can also do a blood routine test.

Available treatment: intramuscular injection of organic iron preparations, such as iron dextran, once a week. Oral administration of blood-enriching liver essence for pets.

11. Keratinization of the soles of the feet

Keratinization, such as non-canine distemper infection, is generally caused by fungal infection or VA and zinc deficiency. A yellow cuticle can be seen on the soles or toes. General veterinary hospitals have Wood's (fungal) lights that can illuminate whether there is a fungal infection. The keratinized mink caused by VA and zinc deficiency is generally thinner.

Feasible treatment: In the case of fungal infection, antifungal ointment, such as Shufu ointment, can be applied, the main ingredient is ketoconazole. In the case of nutritional deficiencies, multivitamins and zinc gluconate can be supplemented in mink food or drinking water. In addition, goat milk is also a good nutritional supplement. It is recommended to feed the mink with goat milk soaked in soft mink food when the mink is thin. Feed a small amount at the beginning to prevent diarrhea. Cooked animal liver is rich in VA and zinc, and the effect is obvious after one week of feeding.

12. Heat Stroke

Because ferrets are boreal animals, they are very afraid of heat. In the hot summer, some cooling measures are required. If there is no condition to use the air conditioner, you can tie a frozen mineral water bottle to the mink cage to reduce the ambient temperature, but do not let the mink touch it directly to prevent it from catching a cold. You can also wash the towel with cold water and wring it dry, then wipe the mink's limbs and abdomen to lower the body temperature. Mink suffering from acute heat stroke will vomit and tremble and need to go to the veterinary hospital immediately for treatment.

Available Treatment: Same as acute heatstroke in dogs. Injection of aminopyrine to reduce fever, simultaneous injection of epinephrine hydrochloride, oral or subcutaneous injection of glucose and normal saline. Maintain ventilation and reduce ambient temperature. If vomiting, wipe off the vomit to keep the airway open.

1. Canine distemper

Ferrets are highly susceptible to canine distemper Virus (CDV) experimental animals, transmitted through various ways

Canine distemper has 4 common symptoms:

⑴. Respiratory type: manifested as dry nose, chapped, runny nose , scratching the nose from time to time, purulent discharge from the eyes, gluing of the eyelids in severe cases, and sometimes coughing, dry cough.

⑵. Digestive tract type: loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration and weight loss, discharge of loose or bloody stools with mucus.

⑶. Neurotype: The sick mink suddenly falls to the ground with convulsions, epileptic-like (sheep horn wind), foaming at the mouth, stroking the limbs for several minutes to ten minutes, then wakes up, stands, looks around Bewildered.

⑷. Skin type: keratinized foot pads, thickened, hardened soles, and sometimes chapped.

Prevention and treatment:

Inject CDV vaccine on time and avoid contact with dogs and cats with canine distemper.

If symptoms of canine distemper appear, use the kit to test in time. If it is confirmed to be infected with canine distemper, the canine distemper hyperimmune serum should be injected as soon as possible. Due to their small physique and thin blood vessels, infusion is difficult. If dehydration occurs, 5-10ml of normal saline can be injected subcutaneously on both sides of the abdominal quilt. After the absorption is complete, inject again until the dehydration disappears. If diarrhea symptoms occur, it is necessary to cooperate with injection of antibiotics (such as enrofloxacin, ceftiofur sodium, or penicillin-streptomycin mixture, used according to the instructions), vc and other treatment complications.

If severe dehydration, difficulty breathing, frequent convulsions, and worsening of the condition are generally difficult to cure.

2. Parvovirus infection

It is caused by parvovirus, and canines and mustelids are most susceptible to infection, manifesting as inflammatory bowel syndrome and myocarditis syndrome.

The disease mostly occurs in winter and spring. Improper feeding or sudden heat and cold can also cause the disease. The disease mainly through the digestive tract infection.

Symptoms: ⑴. Enteritis type: anorexia at the initial stage, frequent vomiting and severe diarrhea in a short period of time, foul-smelling soy sauce-like or tomato juice-like bloody stools (caused by intestinal hemorrhagic lesions), followed by Dehydration symptoms such as sunken eyeballs, loss of skin elasticity, rough coat, etc., the sick mink's body temperature drops, the ears and nose become cold, and the spirit is depressed until death by shock.

⑵. Myocarditis type: rare, more common in the early stage of the epidemic or after the enteritis type has recovered. Symptoms include moaning, dry cough, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, extreme difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, and often death within hours.

Prevention and treatment: The disease mainly relies on immune prevention to prevent infection of the disease. Because of the rapid deterioration after infection, most of them die before treatment, so vaccination should be done, CPV fire-fighting vaccine should be injected regularly, and contact with sick dogs and cats should be avoided.

Canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody or canine parvovirus antiserum can be injected in the early stage, and sugar saline can be used (to increase physical strength); hemostatic sensitivity, vitamin K1, vitamin K3 (to stop bleeding); metoclopramide, Huoxiangzhengqi Water (antiemetic); gentamicin, kanamycin and sulfonamides for symptomatic treatment.

Mainly immune to canine distemper, petit and rabies.

It is recommended to take 1 dose of Interval dual vaccine, once a year, and 1 dose of Merial or Rebecca rabies vaccine, once a year.

Health care:

1. You know your pet and his daily activities best, if you find any unexplained behavior or changes in temperament , please take him to the doctor for a physical examination.

2. It is recommended that you observe their food, especially the food that two or three eat together. Each one should be full. Anorexia is the first symptom of many diseases.

3. If your mink has vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, nosebleed, lumps or weakness. We want you to contact your veterinarian immediately. for timely treatment.

4. The medicine prescribed by the doctor must be given to him on time and in the amount. It may be an unhappy experience for you and your mink, but it is good for him.

Precautions:

When symptoms appear, it is best to go to the veterinarian for a checkup. After all, a professional doctor is much better than an abstract text description, which is also a health guarantee for your mink baby.