HI readers,

A cautionary tale unfolds which provides an example to all folks
transferring ferrets -- you can't always tell when there is a contagion
on board!

Maggie forwarded a report via telephone on the remaining 3 ferrets she
is caring for. Unfortunately none of them can be placed in adopted
homes for six months-- Maggie's rescue and personal ferrets are indeed
in lock down for the next 6 months.

Papito the elder cinnamon male broke out with a symptomatic rash
approximately 6 days after she had the negative response on Buddy's
Canine distemper test. The symptoms came rapidly and off to the vets
they went- the vet agreed this time it appeared to be canine distemper.
Papito was humanely euthanized and tests were sent out to determine if
indeed this was canine distemper. On Saturday Jan 6 Maggie got the
results a POSITIVE for canine distemper. As of this post the remaining
3 ferrets are eating well, playing well and show no outward sign of
canine distemper.. however this is how things appeared after Buddy
traveled on to rainbow bridge-- and now Papito has gone too. Further
testing is being done on pathology to help attempt to answer questions
ie exposure ..

It is not certain where the ferrets were exposed before Maggie picked
them up. They originated in Brooklyn NY-- they passed through AC and
then to the Pound Ridge hoarding situation, then on to Maggie. This
is a prime example of what can happen when documentation is not
transferred with animals and when isolation and quarantine procedures
are not provided before transferring to a home based rescue. I hope we
can all learn form this tough lesson Maggie is living now. Pumpkin,
Puck and Phoebe remain....and hopefully they will survive a 6 month
quarantine period.

This rescue has affected Maggie's personal ferrets too. It seems on
a trip to the vets with the original 5 one of her elder ferrets went
along for the ride... he has lost weight and a cancer is suspected--
but given that his immune system is severely compromised he will be
taking a final trip to the vets on Monday where he can pass over
without the illness of a swift killer that canine distemper is... and
now all Maggies other ferrets who are housed on a separate floor face
exposure risks ( though they are currently vaccinated) form this
outbreak.

I do not have to tell you what a horrid experience this is.... and this
is not an unfamiliar scenario in ferret rescue (or any animal rescue).
It is what rescuer's fear most.... the ferrets may arrive a little thin
and you think heck they haven't been eating well - so you put all your
energy into feeding them. Then they develop the skin rash near mouth's
and nose maybe the eyes get runny and you think oh it's an allergy to
some of the food-- then it creeps into the respiratory system and they
start sneezing--- this is a time of exposure for all animals once it is
in the air.

Whenever transferring ferrets - for the safety of them and your own
make sure there is paperwork on board which specifies vaccination
dates.. and if unknown make sure they have been held at least 10
days -- and cleared with a health check.. that will hopefully decrease
chances of a similar tragedy.

The timing could not have come at a worse time - as Maggie's employment
was terminated on Friday. Her email address was through her employer so
a new contact will be forthcoming.

Alicia , relaying the continuing saga of the Pound Ridge
5......4.....3.....

[Posted in FML 5480]