From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2007-11-19 17:27:03 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Ferret Health Reminder: Flu Season for ferrets, too!
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Be careful of possible secondary infections since those can become=20
serious. When in doubt get a vet check and chest x-ray. Listening is=20
often not enough w ferret lungs.
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG2533
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG10826
> I'm so happy you asked - Tylenol is extremely toxic to ferrets and
> other pet species, and only a small amount will wipe out their liver.
>
> Influenza can be spread to ferrets from their human owners, and back
> again to other human members of the household. However, the best
> treatment is lots of TLC, good food and water, and if they get really
> congested, some itme in a stemy bathroom. I am always hesitant to
> prescribe an OTC human medications due to the fact that so many
> contain tylenol or other anti-inflammatories that may cause extreme
> harm.
>
> As long as you can get the food into them, let's stick with that
> plan. The flu is no more fatal in ferrets than in humans - it just
> sticks around a little longer.
>
> With kindest regards,
>
> Bruce Williams DVM
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG4053
> Ferrets do not get colds. Colds are due to rhinoviruses, which are
> species specific virus. Ferrets may get influenza, but not colds.
>
> Ferrets with upper respiratory infections should see a vet prior to
> starting on any medication. Benedryl, as you say, is an
> antihistamine, and generally has little effect on symptoms of upper
> respiratory infection - it is really an anti-allergy medication.
> Recently on this list, we all witnessed the death of a ferret from
> using an over-the-counter cold medication, based on the errant
> information that ferrets get colds. Tonight I have seen another post
> about a ferret with a cold, incorrect information that continues to
> be passed unwittingly, even on this list.
>
> Flus, or mild upper respiratory infections are not life-threatening
> in ferrets. As owners, we tend to want to treat these conditions,
> because we feel sorry for the animals, but over-the-counter meds are
> not formulated for ferrets, and they contain ingredients that are of
> no benefit to ferrets, and may even be hazardous. For this reason,
> and the recent reinforcement of the tragic death of a ferret
> following use of a human cold product, that I know longer recommend
> these products for use in a ferret.
>
> As long as your ferret continues to eat and drink sufficiently, no
> medication is generally the best approach, and if the signs appear
> significant, then a vet visit is generally in order.
>
> With kindest regards,
>
> Bruce Williams, DVM
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG1425
> I must admit I am not familiar with the term "healthy flu bug" in
> ferrets. Influenza in ferrets is usually of the respiratory variety,
> so I am concerned that what you saw was not a flu at all, but some
> other type of gastrointestinal problem that went undiagnosed.
>
> The occasionally loose poops, especially if his weight is good and he
> is active and eating are not of great concern, and I doubt that
> kaopectate will be of any use in this case. If the frequency of the
> loose stools increases, or if any other adverse signs appear, then I
> might pursue some diagnostics in this case.
>
>
> With kindest regards,
>
> Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG5668
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG2056
> Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000 May;3(2):453-64, vi.Links
> Ferret respiratory diseases.
>
> Kendrick RE.
> Country Club Pet Hospital, Mansfield, Texas, USA.
> Ferret behavior often brings them into close contact with potential=20
> respiratory pathogens and traumatic insults. Although respiratory=20
> disease accounts for a small percentage of cases, they are usually=20
> dramatic. Acute and chronic conditions occur, and many lesions are=20
> confined to the upper or lower respiratory tree but may not involve=20
> both. Pathogens such as influenza A account for a large percentage=20
> of upper respiratory infections and often mirror the "flu" season of=20
> humans. Traumatic insults to the head and chest are relatively=20
> common and account for many veterinary visits. Numerous diseases=20
> affecting the upper and lower respiratory systems are discussed,=20
> with suggestions for diagnostics and therapies.
> PMID: 11228888 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
> Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2005 Jan;8(1):139-60.Links
> Viral diseases of ferrets.
>
> Langlois I.
> M=E9decine Zoologique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire V=E9t=E9rinaire, =
> Facult=E9 de M=E9decine V=E9t=E9rinaire, Universit=E9 de Montr=E9al, C.P.=
5000,=20
> St-Hyacinthe, Qu=E9bec J2S 7C6, Canada. isabelle.langlois@umontreal.ca
> Distemper and rabies vaccination are highly recommended because of=20
> the almost invariable fatal outcome of these conditions. Vaccination=20
> should constitute an important part of a ferret's preventative=20
> medicine program. With the current and anticipated development and=20
> licensing of new vaccines, practitioners are invited to gain=20
> awareness of the latest vaccine information. Establishment of a=20
> practice vaccination protocol with regards to the site of=20
> administration of rabies and distemper vaccines is paramount to=20
> document any future abnormal tissue reactions. Influenza is the most=20
> common zoonotic disease that is seen in ferrets. Although it=20
> generally is benign in most ferrets, veterinarians must take this=20
> condition seriously. The characteristic continuous antigenic=20
> variation of this virus may lead to more virulent strains; the=20
> recent emergence of avian influenza virus outbreaks; and the=20
> increased susceptibility of elderly, young, and immunosuppressed=20
> individuals.
> PMID: 15585193 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
> Lab Anim Sci. 1979 Apr;29(2):243-5.Links
> Urolithiasis in ferrets (Mustela putorius).
>
> Nguyen HT, Moreland AF, Shields RP.
> Urinary calculi was observed frequently in ferrets which were from a=20
> group used for influenza research. They were submitted for necropsy=20
> with various clinical signs. The calculi were composed of magnesium=20
> ammonium phosphate hexahydrate and were found in the pelvis of the=20
> kidney, urinary bladder and urethra. Crystals of undetermined nature=20
> occasionally were observed in the kidneys.
> PMID: 459421 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
but see:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG7866
because there appears to have likely been something else going on.
Not opening right now, but
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/utils/fref.fcgi?PrId=3D3051&itool=3DAbs=
tractPlus-def&uid=3D903327&db=3Dpubmed&url=3Dhttp://jac.oxfordjournals.org/=
cgi/pmidlookup?view=3Dlong&pmid=3D903327
>
is supposed to have the full text for
> J Antimicrob Chemother. 1977 Sep;3(5):463-72.Links
> The effects of peroral or local aerosol administration of 1-
> aminoadamantane hydrochloride (amantadine hydrochloride) on=20
> influenza infections of the ferret.
>
> Fenton RJ, Bessell C, Spilling CR, Potter CW.
Oh, and remember that current injected influenza vaccines are killed=20
virus BUT the nasal vaccine is usually (always?) live, attenuated=20
virus so a person can be contagious for close contact situations=20
within a given time after the nasal vaccine.
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
Sukie (not a vet)
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
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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