Oral Transmucosal Detomidine Gel for the Sedation of the Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

The restraint of ferrets for physical examination and venipuncture often employs chemical means with parenteral drug injection or inhalant anesthetics. These methods often result in agitation, pain at the injection site, increased stress, and increased cost. A transmucosal (TM) detomidine gel has recently been evaluated for sedation to facilitate physical examination and common procedures in dogs and horses. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate TM detomidine in the domestic ferret for physical examination and venipuncture in a teaching laboratory setting. Detomidine was evaluated at 2 doses: 2 and 4mg/m2. A total of 16 ferrets (8 female and 8 male) were randomly assigned to each dose group. Following the administration of detomidine, physiologic variables were collected (heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature) and sedation scoring was performed every 10 minutes. Owing to the rapid effect of the drug, time of onset was not consistently captured in the data recording protocol; the 8 males were used again in a subsequent laboratory and dosed at 3mg/m2 to refine the times of initial effect and dorsal recumbency. Venipuncture was attempted only after full physical examinations were completed and the ferrets could be placed in dorsal recumbency. Venipuncture was performed with detomidine sedation alone on 4 female and 5 male ferrets, with no significant difference based on dose group. Isoflurane was administered via face mask to the remaining ferrets due to insufficient sedation based on muscle movement and reaction to venipuncture. Heart rate significantly decreased following detomidine administration as compared with baseline values in both dose groups. There were no significant changes in respiratory rates. Sedation scores were significantly increased throughout the study period. Side effects of detomidine administration included piloerection of the tail in all ferrets and a second-degree atrioventricular block in one female ferret that resolved following reversal with atipamezole. Hyperglycemia was observed in 67% of the ferrets. TM detomidine effectively sedated domestic ferrets for physical examination and venipuncture.