PLAGUE IN A BLACK-FOOTED FERRET (MUSTELA NIGRIPES)

Diagnosis of sylvatic plague in a captive black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) was based on gross and microscopic lesions, fluorescent ant ibody tests, culture of Yersinia pes tis, and immunohistochemistry. Gr oss lesions consisted of acute hemorrhage and necrosis associated with cervical and mesenteric lymph nodes, subcutaneous hemorrhages, and pu lmonary edema. Acute edema, hemorrhage, and necrosis with numerous bac teria in blood vessels and sinusoids characterized microscopic lesions . Occurrence of fatal plague in a black-footed ferret potentially has significant implications for recovery of this endangered species due t o the widespread distribution of plague in prairie dog colonies throug hout historic black-footed ferret range.