The ferret for non-rodent toxicity studies - a pathologist's view

Ferrets have been used in our laboratories over the past 4 years in 12 small drug toxicity studies (14-28 days, 6-8 ferrets, usually male) and recently for a larger study (90 days, 54 ferrets). This has provided a basis for assessing the suitability of the ferret as an alternative species for non-rodent drug toxicity studies. It is amenable to daily dosing by gavage, and it shows gastric damage of a similar type and degree to the dog in response to oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Certain minor peculiarities of its background pathology are worth noting, but no major problems were seen in this area which would limit its usefulness for routine toxicity testing.