From:
fhbythesea@aol.com
Date: 2002-03-06 04:15:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Re: distemper or flu ...update
In a message dated 03/05/2002 6:53:54 PM Eastern Standard Time,
craigkrisowen@y... writes:
<< Yes, your right...It does point to
Distemper. Especially the disformed enlarged paw pads. and the red
swollen lips and eyes. That being said, I really figured I had
nothing to loose by hitting the herbal Anti/viral, antibacterial
herbs hard along with the vets antibiotics. I have been feeding him
(along with the herbal teas) Zand's Herbal Insure For Kids, to build
Immunity. It has a collection of herbs in it to fight infection.
problem is still there but his lips and eyes don't look as swollen,
though they are still red. l. I have an appointment for him to get a
distemper shot on Thursday and the vet is going to bring a
dermatologist in to look at his skin problem. >>
Kristine
I am not a vet...but I have some concerns that I will mention to you about
the course of treatment that your ferret is receiving.
If it is distemper, understand that he is shedding the virus. And you are
carrying that virus on your clothes and everywhere that you go. You may be
inadvertantly spreading the disease. Canine distemper is a fairly hardy virus
and can live for some time on surfaces. Canine distemper is almost 100% fatal
in ferrets - and the few that do survive, suffer from neurological problems.
I have seen distemper personally in a shelter ferret and I would not continue
his suffering - we had him put to sleep once the disease was diagnosed.
You should never in my opinion vaccinate a sick animal. The immune system
will not properly respond to the vaccination and it could make things worse.
I'm very sorry that your little one is ill. I hope that it isn't distemper,
but if it is, please do the right thing for him.
Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
www.ferrethaven.org