Duodenal hamartomatous polyps in three pedigree-related laboratory ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Abstract

Gastrointestinal polyps are considered rare in the ferret. This case series describes duodenal polyps in three related ferrets, all localised to the cranial duodenal flexure. Three mature intact female laboratory ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ) were found to have hamartomatous polyps at the cranial duodenal flexure. One ferret had clinical signs consistent with upper alimentary tract obstruction; radiographic findings included gastric distention and prolonged barium retention. All ferrets underwent post-mortem examination, which identified one to two sessile luminal nodules in each ferret, measuring between 4 and 9 mm in diameter. Microscopically, the lesions comprised dense mesenchymal tissue with entrapped Brunner’s glands and osseous metaplastic foci. This report expands the limited literature describing gastrointestinal polyps in ferrets. These lesions may cause clinically significant gastrointestinal obstruction and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in ferrets presenting with vomiting, melaena and abdominal discomfort. The occurrence of these lesions in related ferrets at a similar anatomical location raises the possibility of a heritable predisposition, although shared environmental factors cannot be excluded.