Message Number: SG11798 | New FHL Archives Search
From: mjanke@miamiferret.org
Date: 2004-12-11 03:39:31 UTC
Subject: RE: Questions
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1947871.1102736371646.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

When our shelter was still in operation, I used to help out and my main task was cleaning litterboxes and scrubbing cages. I was always up to my elbows in ferret poop and the shelter had a major ECE outbreak years before and I don't think it was ever 100% free of a ferret with ECE from that point forward. Angela would be better equipped to answer that one.

I never brought ECE home to my ferrets. When I came home from the shelter, I stripped in the garage and dumped everything right in the washer. I then headed right to the shower. I also covered the seat in my car, and changed my shoes before I got into the car at the shelter and I cleaned the steering wheel off with alcohol after I got out of the shower. I was pretty careful about not bringing ECE home with me and it seemed to be effective.

Worked for me until I brought a kit into my home and gave my ferrets ECE, but in the several years I did this routine, I never brought it home from the shelter.

It is suggested that a ferret can pass on ECE for six months or more. I don't know how long it would be a concern if there was not a ferret there that had ECE. I believe it would be best to assume it is always lurking.

mike

> she told me that she REALLY needs the help, but also said that she had
> ECE go through the shelter last August. Is this something I can combat
> by changing my clothes and showering before I touch my own ferrets, or
> is there good chance my ferrets will get ECE no matter how careful I am?