From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-01-02 19:11:47 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] RE: Help With Unknown Deadly Virus
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7419620.1104693107341.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Author wrote:
> > P.S. if raw animal products are fed to the animals consider salmonella
> bacteria species even more strongly as a possibility. <
> The chance of ferrets being affected by the salmonella bacteria is
> virtually nil but I suppose not impossible.
They are more resistant to infection when exposed to Salmonella than most species, but they DO get it, and when they do it can kill very rapidly.
If you look in vet texts you will find descriptions in some of how it can present.
Quoting my own recent past post worked right from the vet text _Biology and Diseases of the Ferrets, second edition_ on studies of Salmonella in ferrets:
I notice in 339 -341 Salmonellosis, "a gram-negative bacterium which can be isolated on selective enteric media from infected tissues and feces". In a 9 month study 5 species of these genus were found to be able to infect ferrets. I do not know how many of these also infect dogs, cats, and humans. The morbidity rate is lower than what you describe unless there are infected animals who simply as not as affected, which is possible since it says that there are asymptomatic carriers. The reason I mention this one specifically is a description on page 341 of _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, second edition_ :
Day One: lassitude, anorexia, and muscular trembling
Day Two: bloody feces
Day Three: death
Accompanying signs may include:
dehydration, anorexia, moderately elevated temperature, pale muscus membranes and malaise. Temperature can fluctuate. Conjuntivitis may be present. Miscarriage can occur.
To treat this the bacterium needs to be isolated and tested for antibiotic sensitivity because many strains are antibiotic resistant. Hydration and electrolyte management are essential for survival. Glucosteroids and blood therapy may be needed.
Also -- and going from memory here of how many I have quoted, I think that if you look in the FHL Archives at
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org
you will find that no fewer than 4 vets talking about having hard times treating it in ferrets. (I think there were 5 I found in there with experience coming up against it in ferrets but I may have taken from other sources for something I had to have a decent while back.)
So, it is wise to recall that just because an animal species tends to be resistant to a given type of infection doesn't mean it won't pack a major punch when that resistance isn't enough to prevent infection.