Ferret coronavirus infection in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A female domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) presented to a veterinary clinic with a clinical history of anorexia and poor body condition. Due to gradual deterioration of the body condition, explorative laparotomy was performed. Diffusely, the mesentery was severely thickened and adhered with prominent mesenteric lymph nodes. A portion of the mesentery and mesenteric lymph nodes were biopsied and fixed. Microscopic analysis revealed severe pyogranulomatous peritonitis and lymphadenitis, but staining revealed no bacterial organisms. However, immunohistochemistry for feline coronavirus exhibited strong immunoreactivity, primarily in the macrophages. Based on these results, the case was diagnosed as ferret coronavirus infection.