From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2001-11-08 13:00:00 UTC
Subject: Question about E.Coli in ferrets
I suppose it is possible for a ferret on raw meat to
get salmonella, and other bacteria from contaminated
meat, but as I understand it they are well adapted
to live on a diet of wild animal carcass so are able to
avoid these infections. However, meats from
processing plants and such may be more highly
contaminated- so since there is a risk best to
use caution.
I was told that when my ferret had a stool exam that
was "loaded" with gram negative bacteria ( I assume
E.Coli- but maybe I was wrong) that
it was normal for ferrets, probably they
normally carry non-pathogenic forms of bacteria
in their stools? We certainly do.
So I am not sure how a ferret with diarrhea
and ill is diagnosed with E.coli?- I guess by culture
since under the microscope you can't differentiate.
I would be interested
to know if the diarrhea wasn't caused by something
else, or if there are enteropathogenic forms of E.coli
ferrets can get and is it from stool cultures that the
diagnosis is made?
In humans routine stool cultures
don't look for E.coli except for the past few years
it started to include the one type of E.coli that is
causing those food poisoning outbreaks from undercooked
ground beef.
Patty
Hi,
A ferret of one of my friend's tested positive for e-coli
and was quite sick. This ferret was fed a commercial food,
so I am not sure where she got it, but ferrets can get
e-coli.
Take care,
Steph