From:
suziqrn000
Date: 2002-04-09 07:15:00 UTC
Subject: E.C.E
Hello,
I have set out to learn all I can about E.C.E because I think one of
my ferrets may have it. I have a lot of questions and have been
refered to Dr. B. William's site and it is great, but still have some
questions.
3 weeks ago I brought home two babies that are now about 12 weeks or
so old. They were isolated from the rest of the group for a week and
had their vet check up and seemed very healthy with great poops.They
still have separate cages but were allowed play time with the big
ones.
My Ruby who is about a year old started having green slimey poopies
and vomited twice, was slightly lethargic and not eating or drinking
well. We saw the vet and she recieved sub q L.R fluids and is now on
amoxicillin prophylacticlly for secondary bacterial infections. My
vet said that here is no test for E.C.E but all precautions should be
taken.
She has been qaurantined in her own cage and room and is eating
Gerbers's baby food chicken and gravy #2 and ferret-vite. She now has
yellow, runny "bird seedy" poops and is eating the baby food and
drinking water by herself. I saw her eat a few bites of Totally
Ferret kibble and her energy level is good. She keeps begging to come
out.
How long does she need to be in qaurantine? So far everyone else
seems healthy. I have read that ferrets will shed the virus up to
6-months or more. Is this true? Is it 100% contiguous? Will everyone
eventually get it? I know it can be passed on shoes and clothing and
I am trying to be careful and I am using 1% bleach to disinfect
everything. How long does the virus surrive on inanimate objects?
Is E.C.E cmmunicable to other animals such as cats and dogs?
How long is appropriate to isolate new ferrets or baby ferrets before
letting them all live together? I have read that it is unusual for
baby ferrets under 6 months to get E.C.E, is this true and why? Is it
natural immunity and will they eventually get it after they are 6
months of age in a household that has been affected? Or even though a
baby shows no signs or symptoms can they be a silent carrier and the
signs and symptoms will appear later?
Once a ferret has E.C.E are they immune to it? Will they always be
suscepiible to various intestinal problems due to chronic
irritability of the mucosal lining? Will this cause flare ups with
stress and other illness?
I'm sorry for asking so many questions. I am very scared and feel
very gulity for possibly bringing this illness home with the new
babies.
Any answers or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Suzi Lambert