Reference Interval Determination for Digital Rectal Temperature in Healthy Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Physiology

Background:

• Digital rectal thermometry is a common diagnostic tool for ferrets.
• Existing normal rectal temperature ranges for ferrets lack robust scientific evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a scientifically validated reference interval for digital rectal temperature in healthy ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

Main Methods:

• Rectal temperatures were measured in 56 healthy ferrets older than four months using digital rectal thermometry.
• Reference interval determination followed guidelines from the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

Main Results:

• The established reference interval for healthy adult ferrets is 38.1–39.9 °C (100.6–103.9 °F).
• Lower limit: 38.1 °C (CI = 37.9–38.3 °C; 100.6 °F [CI = 100.3–100.9 °F]).
• Upper limit: 39.9 °C (CI = 39.8–40.1 °C; 103.9 °F [CI = 103.6–104.2 °F]).

Conclusions:

• The determined reference interval provides a reliable benchmark for ferret health assessments.
• This data will aid veterinarians in routine health checks and clinical illness diagnosis in ferrets.