From:
sproutsie@hotmail.com
Date: 2003-03-03 16:36:54 UTC
Subject: ECE is a drag!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2882166.1046709414436.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Hello- we have four ferts, 3 shelter kids and one of whom was just rescued from his owners who were about to drop him at the shelter. Well, our newest, Bumble (he looks like the Bumble monster from Rudolph's Happy New Year), has apparently given Ein and Jet ECE- we think Goku is ok, but are keeping an eye on him. Ein and Jet are feeling much better- they started showing symptoms on Saturday night, so we put the whole rehydration, and then baby food thing into motion. Our vet has confirmed this is what they have, and has been helpful with treatment, but since we just moved here and don't have any other experience with this vet, I thought I'd also ask this forum some questions about the feeding. I guess I feel that if i can get enough info, I'll somehow be able to will them back into health with the power of my knowledge. Dumb, I know, but I am a Ph.D. student, so seeking out info is my specialty!
1. Bumble is only 6 months old, and is very bouncy compared to the two sickos- I have not been around any other ferrets aside from him and my own for months, so I assume he brought ECE to the house. I am confused about how he can be so healthy- he is a little chubby, and shows no sign of being or having been sick recently- so could he have an immunity to ECE but be a carrier? His previous owners said he had been healthy the whole time they had him, but I think they hadn't had him very long, so he may have been around infected ferts at the pet store where they got him, or had it when he was a little kit.
2. As I mentioned, we have one other ferret who is not sick, Goku. We are sort of assuming that he also had ECE in the past, although, again, we are watching him for signs of the green poop or general malaise. We got him a day or so after he was dropped at the pet shelter- he was emaciated, which we put down to his owner not bothering to feed him, but now I am wondering if he had been recovering from ECE. It is a mystery, but if he still seems fine over the next few days, do you think we can safely assume that he *has* had it and now has an immunity to it? The two healthy ones are separated from the sick ones, but they were all in the same space when we first brought Bumble home until the next night when Jet and then Ein started throwing up and pooping the green slime.
Again, I have asked our vet these questions, but I thought I'd get a second opinion. Oh, also- he recommends feeding baby food for the next few days- but Jet wasn't thrilled about just the baby food, so I mixed up some gruel with water, baby food and mushed-up kibble, and Jet ate it up- will this be too irritating for her?
Sorry for the long post- I am feeling happier about things today now that they are both eating (although Ein still wont eat voluntarily) and drinking on their own, but I would feel even better with more knowledgable input!
Thanks, Susan