From:
weberarms@yahoo.com
Date: 2003-06-01 17:29:56 UTC
Subject: ECE re-infection / strain resistance
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6777563.1054488596465.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
To any and all,
I have Max II (female 8 months) who was a carrier of ECE when I bought her in Nov 2002 (un-known to me). She infected Sam I (female 5 years) and she died on 13 Jan 2003.
MF replaced Sam I. I picked her (Sam II)(female 8 weeks) up 27 May 2003.
Max II now has ECE and Sam II is infected also since 30 May 2003.
I am lost here as to why Max II has developed ECE. I can understand why Sam II has it and MF said that it may happen. But why does Max II have it if she is the original carrier. Why did Max II develope ECE 3 days after Sam II was introduced to Max II. There was no need to isolate Sam II because
Max II already had ECE before I bought her. I thought that ECE was a once only illness and imunity provided protection.
Did Sam II infect Max II with a new strain? Is that why they both have it? Apparently ECE can mutate like human viruses, can anyone confirm this? If this is the case, you will never cure ECE because it's like AIDS mutation. Only a vacine will work.
My belief is that the dealer has poor sanitary conditions (does not disinfect cage but cleans only contnets)and that is why Sam II was infected. I got her ASAP from the dealer to prevent this, on the same day she was un-crated, but to no avail. Whats going on here?
Also, Max II has turnned against MF FerretLax the same way the first SamI did in 2002. But the new Sam II will eat it just like Max II did when I got her. Is there something wrong with the product and could it be contaminated? Bothe times it was a new tube that was sealed. They did eat the old OK.
Please respond to each question if possible. What are my chances of both surviving this time?
Thank you for your time!!!!
Gene Weber.