From:
sukieferret
Date: 2002-02-13 19:35:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Colds
> if a ferret has a cold,
> we too can catch it from them and give it right back to them
Actually, ferrets don't get human rhinovirses (colds). They do get
influenza, which sometimes has mild versions, and they do get
sinus infections. Yes, these can be traded with humans -- have
been there for both over the years on and off, though precautions
(esp. tons of hand-washing) help reduce exchanges a lot.
They also get allergies at times and detergents and fabric
softeners seem to be big contributors. Cedar has been known
to cause a number of problems in mammals, and some ferrets
apparently are allergic to pine products just as some humans
are.
In addtion, they sneeze from other allergans, dusty explorations,
and they puposely sneeze when they are loosening musk from a
some glands behind their ears -- to wipe over their faces and on
us.