From:
"Sue Liszewski"
Date: 2004-08-12 19:08:14 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: FIP a danger to ferrets?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <BAY15-F297OIkUqLpHk00037ccc@hotmail.com>
The tummies may be swollen but are they swollen with fluid? If not you
don't need to worry and your vet can check by aspirating. If it is fluid
the chance is higher but you would be experiencing other symptoms by now
too. I do an FIP PCR on the fluid if there is. It has to be a fresh and
immediate sample, it may not be inexpensive but can give you peace of mind.
PCR on blood is n ot accurate but in a live animal ther chest or abdominal
fluid is the closest to tissue sampling you can get. If this test is
positive it is conclusive. Others may not agree with me but I have never
had a positive on where the animal was negative. I had seen an unusually
high amount of FIP cases over the years. Deal with positive titers and no
disease and vice versa and worked with a researcher over thephone. Hope
this helps and good luck. From what you descibe I don't know that they have
FIP.
Dr. Sue
>From: Mohr <natashamohr@cox.net>
>Reply-To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: FIP a danger to ferrets?
>Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2004 23:14:39 -0500
>
>At 01:06 AM 8/11/2004, you wrote:
>>I could not find any mentions of FIP in a ferret in the FHL Archives, the
>>FML Archives, nor in three vet texts.
>>
>>To be on the safe side, though, why not have your vet ask the
>>ferret-knowledgeable pathologist the vet is using?
>
>Thanks for the responses, Sukie as well as others! :-) I would love to
>have a ferret-knowledgeable pathologist to consult, but we have limited
>resources up here, and my vet knows about as much as any other vet or
>pathologist here. That's one of the reasons for my posting here instead of
>just relying on my vet's word. We are concerned for our other cat, of
>course, but I wanted some reassurance about the ferrets, too. I'm glad to
>hear that no one has come across any evidence that FIP can make ferrets
>sick. And our quarantine procedures remain.
>
>Now the worry continues about the kittens. They both have swollen
>abdomens, which is a prime indicator of FIP. One of the things that is so
>tough about it is its difficulty to diagnose! They also came in with
>coccidia and worms, etc., so we're not positive it is FIP, but some of the
>distinctive signs are there. One of them, the boy, is growing, active,
>playful, etc... Acting normal, except for the bloated belly and runny
>poops. The girl is a little less active, not growing as quickly, but has
>normal poops. Still, she also has a bloated belly. So we are waiting and
>watching. This whole thing is hard on us -- I had never even *heard* of
>FIP or seen a case of it prior to this. *sigh*
>
>Anyway, thanks for the info. It helps!
>
>-Natasha
>
>
>
>
>
>
>--
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