From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2006-10-09 20:29:37 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] If a ferret presents with FIP types of symptoms
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Yes, this is a disease which is being worked on by
both European and U.S. teams. The first formal
description was from a team of Spanish and
German veterinary researchers, but rumors of the
disease (with pathologists never getting specimens)
had been around for years. After that European team
first announced their coronavirus discovery they soon
wound up in contact with Dr. Bruce Williams of the
AFIP and Dr. Matti Kiupel of Michigan State, both experts
on a previous ferret coronavirus and both having very
specialized equipment. If memory serves there also
was a French team very shortly after also with specimens.
A while later reports in the U.S. began coming in. At
first the team in the west of Dr. Katrina Ramsell, Dr. Mike
Garner and I forget who else did not know about the other
work already going on in the States in conjunction with
European investigators, but then all got in touch with each
other.
Here are some past FHL posts which should help you with
some of your questions:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG662
BEGIN QUOTE
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Sukie and all,
The cases of FIP-like disease seen in ferrets
are very similar to the dry form of FIP seen in cats.
The dry form can be very hard to diagnose, but anemia,
elevated globulins (polyclonal gamma globulins), and the
pyogranulomatous lesions are what to look for.
So far most of the cases have been young ferrets (<1yr).
The clinical signs can vary alot as Sukie pointed out
depending on which organ(s) has the pyogranulomatous
lesions. GI signs and neurological signs are the most common
signs so far.
Merry Christmas to all,
Jerry Murray, DVM
END QUOTE
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG303
BEGIN QUOTE
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Nelli,
Unfortunately FIP in cats and FIP like disease
in ferrets is real bad news. There is no cure for the
corona virus, and no cure for the pet when they
become sick. There are a few things that can be
tried (pred, antibiotics, cyclophosphamide, interferon),
but this usually just makes the pet more comfortable.
Most if not all will still die within weeks or months after
the diagnosis is made. There has been a lot of research
in cats with FIP, and there is still no effective treatment
for cats either.
Lets hope this continues to be a rare problem in ferrets,
Jerry Murray, DVM
END QUOTE
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG285
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Everybody,
Dr Mike Garner also talked about this new FIP like
syndrome in ferrets at the Alberta Ferret Health
Conference in Sept (up in Edmonton, Canada).
One of the cases he is working with is from the
Dallas area. It is still not known if this is the ferret
corona virus or if it is the feline corona virus, but
the disease is very similar to the dry form of FIP
that we see in cats.
Jerry Murray, DVM
END QUOTE
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG394 (Dec '06)
including
>Related topic: On Sunday just past there was a lecture
>for veterinary pathologists on the new coronavirus, the
> one which behaves like Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
>That one may be FIP, may be mutated from FIP, or may
>be mutated from ECE. (All of those are also related
to EGE, a mik corona virus which behaves similarly to ECE
>but more severely, if memory serves.)
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG18449
The request to contact Dr. Kiupel and how to do so, AND
also the original announcement by the Spanish and
German team:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG18442
BEGIN QUOTE
From: sukiec@optonline.net
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
If vets here in the U.S. run into a disease in ferrets which presents like =
FIP does in cats with granulomatous inflammation affecting a number of orga=
ns, please, contact Dr. Matti Kiupel.
Dr. med. vet. Matti Kiupel, BS, MS, PhD, DACVP
Fachtierarzt f=FCr Veterin=E4r Pathologie
Associate Professor
Michigan State University
Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigations
Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health
4125 Beaumont Road, Room 152A
Lansing, MI 48910
USA
Tel.: ** 517 432 2670
Fax.: ** 517 432 6557
who is studying specimens (fecal, tissue, etc.) from such individuals.
There is a new coronavirus which might have originated from FIP or might ha=
ve originated from ECE.
It sounds like it is still unusual. There are definite cases in Europe, an=
d it was first announced in
Vet Rec. 2006 Apr 15;158(15):523.
in
Detection of feline infectious peritonitis virus-like antigen in ferrets.
by
Martinez J, Ramis AJ, Reinacher M, Perpinan D.
(The full text is at Vet Rec for members.)
and Dr. Matti Kiupel (known from his extensive ECE work) is working with th=
em to better understand the specific coronavirus they are encountering.
It is not yet known if this new disease is anywhere outside Europe, so spec=
imens from possible cases are important for multiple reasons.
The team working on this new disease will be describing what they have enco=
untered in detail in a veterinary conference this coming December (only 2 m=
onths away).
END QUOTE
So far there is a huge amount NOT known about this disease.
Yes, Dr. Ramsell has begun work to try to find a way to treat it, and the more that can be
known about it from pathology work the better the chances of doing so.
A muscle biopsy was done? That is the only way to test for fasciitis/DIM.
Is the person in touch with Dr; Ramsell? If not, I can help on that score. It is function I
have provided in the past and continue to provide when such cases arise.
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
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