From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2007-12-22 20:11:35 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Ferret with FIP?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Andrea,
Yes, ferrets are now having a systemic coronavirus
disease that is very similar to the dry form of feline FIP.
Bloodwork will usually show an increase in the globulins
(esp. gammaglobulins) and anemia.
The biopsy results are very similar to feline FIP
(pyogranulomatous inflammatory lesions). Instead of
viral isolation, an IHC staining can be done with the
feline FIP antibody to verify the presence of the coronavirus.
It is actually the ferret coronavirus and not the cat corona-
virus that is causing the problem based on work from Michigan
State University.
Treatment is similar to feline FIP with pred (Pediapred) and feline
interferon omega (Virbagen Omega from Virbac). Antibiotics can be
used for secondary infections (doxycycline (5 mg/kg bid) is currently
recommended for cats with FIP). Nutritional support with Hill's a/d, baby
food, and/or Oxbow's carnivore care may help. Pet tinic may help
with the anemia. Antioxidants may help decrease some of the
inflammation and lesions. Low dose aspirin is still suggested by
some for cats with FIP. Unfortunately ferrets with FIP (just like cats
with FIP) usually have a progressive and fatal disease.
Hope that helps and feel free to have your vets contact me if they
have any more questions.
Jerry Murray, DVM
Dallas, Texas.
</HTML>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/