Craniectomy as a surgical treatment of a brain abscess secondary to a maxillary molar tooth abscess in a ferret ( Mustela putorius furo)

Abstract

Abstract A 5‐year‐old, neutered, male ferret was presented with altered mentation, non‐ambulatory tetraparesis and decerebrate rigidity. The ferret had a history of a subcutaneous abscess around the left eye and a 1‐week history of apathy and vestibulocerebellar ataxia. Head computed tomography revealed a tooth 209 abscess, non‐destructive rhinosinusitis and an intracranial abscess. Tooth 209 extraction, nasal flushing and craniectomy were performed. The intracranial abscess was excised, and Proteus mirabilis was cultured. The day after surgery, the ferret was alert and improved gradually, presenting only sporadic sneezing. Four weeks postoperatively, neurological examination was normal. Five months later, sinus trepanation and rhinostomy were performed due to persistent rhinosinusitis. The ferret died 1 year and 7 months after initial presentation, and postmortem examination revealed rhinitis and pleuropneumonia with pyothorax. This case reveals the importance of recognising odontogenic infections that can cause intracranial abscesses and highlights the successful use of craniectomy in ferrets.