From:
ferretface@aol.com
Date: 2005-03-09 21:53:52 UTC
Subject: DIM question
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4912848.1110405232676.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Hi All,
I've had ferrets for many years. Babies, rescues, drop offs at my front door. I thought aleutians was scary when it first popped up (I won't even mention ECE) but now there's DIM.
My question is now-a-days w/ DIM how do we go about integrating ferrets? I mean, from what I understand it can just happen out of the blue. I worry about this bec. I know somewhere down the line I'll want another baby in the house and I want to make sure I wait long enough to introduce him/her to the others but we don't even know how long long enogh is--do we? Also, is it like ECE in the way that they can be carriers but asymptomatic? I know it seems to be in young ferrets, does this mean older ones can't get it? or are they more susceptible bec. they are older? UUUGGGGHHH! Oh, one more...is it only in mass bred ferrets? (ie Marshall Farms) OK, I guess that's it. I know it's a new disease and not much is known about the etiology but I thought I'd ask just in case...
Thanks, Serena