From:
mjanke@miamiferret.org
Date: 2004-03-04 17:54:19 UTC
Subject: RE: Ece now in Denmark:(
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1555164.1078422859420.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
> Where else in Europe and the north is ECE found. Through it was only a problem in USA?
So far, that seemed to be the case. There was someone else from your part of the world that *thought* they had a few cases of ECE, but I believe it was determined that wasn't the case.
> How to awoid it ?
Avoid contact with possible carriers. This include YOU, not just your ferrets. If you go anywhere with other ferrets present, strip & shower before going anywhere near your ferrets. I used to go to our shelter to help out and was often up to my elbows in ferret poop scrubbing litter boxes. I stripped to my shorts in the garage before entering the house, headed right for the shower and never infected my ferrets.
> How to reginize it ?
Profuse, watery diarrhea around 48-72 hours after contact with the virus/carrier ferret. The diarrhea may or may not be bright green or it may be mostly mucus. They may vomit once or twice the first day, but that usually doesn't continue. Also, the ferret will just look really, really sick. Eyes squinted and watery, totally lethargic, no desire to eat, drink or really do anything.
> How to heal it?
Supportive care is all you can do. Go here... http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/ece.htm and here http://www.afip.org/ferrets/ECE/ECE.html for much more info on the topic of care for a ferret with ECE.
> How long does it Infect.We have heard 6-8 month.
It's not known for sure, but yes, it's felt they probably have the capability of shedding the virus for at least 6 months, maybe more.
They will not be ill that long though. Young, otherwise healthy ferrets will recover very quickly, while older ferrets or ferrets with other health issues could take weeks to recover.
mike