Message Number: YG7046 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Mike Janke
Date: 2001-09-06 19:36:00 UTC
Subject: Re: ECE?

I would say that the shelter should know whether they are ECE free or
not. Ferrets can be carriers of ECE for six months, perhaps as long
as a year. They can look (and be) healthy and still be carrying the
virus and the ability to pass it on.

"New ferret + 48 hours + current ferrets get diarrhea" usually means
ECE, but it's entirely possible it's just a coincidence and the
timing is such that it just sounds like an ECE infection.

mike

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Stephanie" <steph@t...> wrote:
> Thanks Mike,
>
> I just spoke with the shelter that I adopted from and they have not
had ECE.
> They had these guys a while before I got them and none of their
other
> fuzzies are showing any symptoms, nor are the two that I brought
home. I
> have separated my 7+ ferret Maggie to the back portion of the
house. She has
> not been in contact with anybody, but has roamed in the same areas
that they
> play in. I realize that even being separated, it is pretty sure she
will get
> it also. I did notice the smell, but thought it was spray since
Bullwinkle
> is not de-scented and it smelled exactly like that. My vet wanted
to start
> with this regimen and has us keeping an eye on them.
>
> Is it possible that only my guys are reacting to this when the
other shelter
> ferrets are fine?
>
> Thanks for the help,
> Stephanie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Janke [mailto:mjanke@m...]
> Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2001 2:15 PM
> To: Ferret-Health-list@y...
> Subject: [Ferret-Health-list] Re: ECE?
>
>
> Explosive diarrhea 48 hours after the introduction of new ferrets
> sounds like classic ECE symptoms. There is no test for it, though
> there is a researcher out there that can examine a stool sample
and
> determine if the virus is present. Only Dr. Williams would be
able
> to tell if you if this could be done and where to send a sample.
I
> don't think you need that level of diagnosis to know what you
have.
>
> If your vet has ruled out all other possibilities, then it's a
pretty
> sure bet it's ECE. In that case, be prepared for an extended
period
> of supportive care for Bullwinkle. Even if he's willing to eat
his
> kibble, he should be on a bland, easily digestible diet for now.
>
> ECE poop does not always look the same from every ferret.
Sometimes
> it's bright green, but just as often it can be yellowish and
bubbly,
> liquid and slightly green or mostly mucus. There are probably
other
> variations too. The odor is usually really, really nasty.
>
> mike