From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-02-11 17:53:17 UTC
Subject: RE: Sneezing.....
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2354235.1108144397527.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Ferrets don't get colds. Colds are caused by a rhinovirus, short lived, and can not be treated with antibiotics.
They do get bacterial sinus infections. It's an important distinction even though the two can outwardly look the same. Bacterial sinus infections have an increased risk of causing infection lower down the respiratory tract, can last any length of time, can crfeate fistulas and other complicaitons, and are treated with antibiotics (though some strains can be antibiotic resistant).
Ferrets can trade bacterial sinus infections or Influenza A strains back and forth with humans.
This time of year another possibility to consider is that it may just be dry enough in your home that floating dust andm low humidity are getting to them. Sometimes there is nothing like boiling a pot of water on the stove (or making a big homemade soup) and blowing a fan across it to distribute the humidity in the home.
If this continues -- and especially if any coughing starts up -- get to the vet.
Ferrets are sneezy souls, normally. It's not just that they investigate dusty places. They also will hold their noses or bury them in something and force a sneeze. (This is why they can be so easily trained to blow their noses in a cloth handkerchief.) The sneezing loosens musk in the glands which are behind and a bit below the ears. Then they rub the scent over their faces in face washing moves. Some of them are very private about that. It's an essential ferret identity thing.