From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2006-12-19 00:34:29 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Re: Major find/Question-unknown illness!?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Erin,
That sounds like ECE with the older ferrets have preexisting conditions worsened by the
illness.
First off: EGE and ECE are separate illnesses. Ferrets get ECE, not EGE, htough ECE likley
arose originally from EGE. Both are Coronaviruses. Some references simply are not up to
date.
In the U.S. right now there is one place which can definitely diagnose ECE and only when
the time and equipment can be used: Michigan State. (The AFIP has been sending at least
some ferret corona virus material there, but that is hardly a surprise because during same
years that funding for places like the AFIP they also have increased work load from the
wars.)
I do not understand why you refer to ECE medications. There are no medications which
treat ECE itself. There are just medications and approaches to treat the secondary effects
which can happen: secondary infections, colitis, dehydration, ulcers, etc. These can vary
among animals. We had one with kidney damage, one with colitis, two with secondary
infections, one who had a hidden heart problem take off, etc. when it hit here.
When ECE is present it takes as long as 8 months post initial symptoms for the animals to
not be contagious, so when it hit here we waited a year afterward before we even set foot
in a pet store again and bought supplies by mail. It can be carried on clothing.
Older or sick ferrets who did not have earlier ECE cope the worst, and the illness will
worsen preexisting illnesses and can damage kidneys from dehydration.
Although there is a shorter MINIMAL time for contagion with ECE it certainly can take
longer to spread.
Honestly, what you describe sounds like ECE with individual complications.
Sukie (not a vet)
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