From:
pjdutche@email.unc.edu
Date: 2003-04-17 16:58:50 UTC
Subject: RE: New to the Group
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5893817.1050598730913.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Hi Hilary, welcome to the group!
Author wrote:
<< being I just rescued my first about 6 months ago. Two months later I rescued my second...I just took in my third this past weekend. >>
It definitely sounds like the new one brought something in. The "classic" ferret disease that fits this scenario of existing ferrets getting sick when a new one comes in is ECE, but its hallmark is diarrhea, and you don't mention that. If it was ECE, believe me, you WOULD notice the diarrhea. :) In fact, this sounds much more like the flu - contagious, fever, respiratory signs for the most part.
<< Will this illness cause health problems later in life? Will they recover and be just like before? Now that they are on the antibiotic I have completely disinfected their cage, toys, bowls, and everything else that they use. Is there anything else I can do to keep this illness from coming back or getting worse? >>
If this is the flu, it sounds to me like you are doing an excellent job! Supportive care, handfeeding, sympathy, fluids as needed. As far as I know, like in humans, they should be fine once they're over it. Often sick ferrets will need a soft, bland diet (like Gerber's chicken with gravy baby food) while they recover. If they go off their food, Dr. Williams has a great web page on feeding sick ferrets at:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/babyfood.html
I'm not a vet, or a tech, etc, etc, etc, and can't diagnose them. But I think it sounds like you're doing fine.
Best wishes,
-Pam S.