Suspected encrusting cystitis in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

Encrusting cystitis diagnosis and medical management in domestic ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ) has never been documented. A client-owned, 6.5-year-old, neutered, male domestic ferret was presented for lethargy, abdominal pain, straining to urinate for 12 days, and red, purulent urine. On physical examination, the ferret was quiet, alert, and responsive, had a distended and inexpressible bladder, large and firm kidneys, and was displaying signs of severe pain including vocalization on abdominal palpation and when attempting to urinate. Sonographic evaluation showed an irregular, layered, hyperechoic mass lesion present in the lumen of the urinary bladder with extensions of the layered luminal material into the urethra, and severely dilated renal pelves and ureters. These severe, urinary bladder changes were consistent with pseudomembranous, encrusting cystitis. Following a discussion with the owner about options for humane euthanasia versus exploratory surgery, euthanasia was elected. The remains were taken home with the owner and a necropsy was not performed. To the author’s knowledge, this paper reports the first known case of suspected encrusting cystitis in a domestic ferret including radiologic and ultrasonographic findings.