1932 ANNUAL REPORT, 1931 9 



to raise the prevailing standards of quality, is timely. Feeding is also being 

 reduced to the essential elements required for satisfactory nutrition. There 

 has been a steady improvement in feeding methods employed by fox breeders 

 during the past few years, both in the uniformity of the ration and from a 

 realization of the dangers of feeding contaminated and spoiled food. Compared 

 with previous years, very few cases of food poisoning are now reported or sent 

 for autopsy to the Fur Farm. 



On the other hand, many specimens examined from mink ranches indicate 

 that beginners have not yet grasped the significance of feeding only pure food. 

 It is becoming apparent that mink are subject to a number of conditions requiring 

 investigation. Distemper, while not prevalent, has made its appearance from 

 time to time during the year. Another disease which appears to be connected 

 with a deficiency in the diet, is frequently met with. Preliminary investigations 

 of this condition have given encouraging results. These investigations will be 

 continued in the hope that control measures will ultimately be found. Con- 

 siderable work has been accomplished regarding the nutritional requirements 

 of mink and will be continued during 1932. 



An attempt to identify and provide a workable key to the more common 

 internal parasites found in fur-bearing animals was undertaken during the year. 

 This was considered necessary as the first step towards prevention and possible 

 elimination of these parasites in ranch-bred animals. Considerable attention 

 has been given to some of the common parasites affecting foxes, with the object 

 of applying preventive methods to the best advantage. 



Pneumonia in AT ink 



Respiratory diseases are frequently met with in mink. Congestion of the 

 lungs is common in the summer months and lobar pneumonia in the late fall 

 and spring, when the weather is variable with somewhat alternating periods 

 of rain and frost. 



Symptoms . — These are somewhat similar to those occurring in congestion 

 of the lungs. The mink, previously in apparently good health, suddenly refuses 

 to eat and dies within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Shallow, quick breathing 

 has been noticed in some cases, and also a decided weakness in the hind quarters. 

 Brain symptoms, characterized by stupor and walking or chasing in circles 

 may also be present. The owner, however, may notice very few, if any, symptoms, 

 due to the mink's habit of remaining in the nest box when sick. Generally his 

 first and only indication of trouble is to find the animal dead in the nest box. 



Post-mortem. — The lungs are usually distended with areas of consolidation, 

 which are firm and easily cut. Other areas are mottled in appearance and have 

 a granular texture when cut. The impression of the ribs is often seen on the 

 lung tissue. The bronchial glands are swollen and grayish in colour. The bronchi 

 and trachea, in all cases examined, were filled with a blood-stained exudate. A 

 serous fluid in the thoracic cavity may be present and the blood vessels of the 

 heart are prominent, due to engorgement with blood. The intestines and stomach 

 are often empty or contain very little food. A slight gastrointestinal catarrh is 

 frequently present. 



Prevention. — The condition is brought about by the mink running in and 

 out of the nest box during wet, cold weather. The bedding subsequently becomes 

 wet and damp and the mink chilled. Once the resistance of the animal is lowered, 

 pneumonia takes place. Every effort has to be made during these periods to 

 keep the bedding changed frequently and the nest box dry. Alterations in the 



