** ATTENTION ** ATTENTION ** ATTENTION **
 
I just got off the phone with Patty Asheuer of LVFA who's been researching
this.  Here's what I found out:
 
It appears to be a form of colitis caused by a virus.
 
Highly treatable *IF CAUGHT EARLY* with Chloropalm.
 
When they get it, they go quickly.  Within about 48 hours!  Do NOT
wait until tomorrow and hope it gets better!
 
Symptoms:  *BRIGHT GREEN DIARRHEA*, dehydration, vomiting, weight loss,
reduced water & food intake, and symptoms of hepatitis as it goes to the
liver.
 
Around 30 to 40 ferrets have already died.
 
Be especially cautious if you attended the NJ show.  There seems to
be a link with most (not all!) of the cases and that show.
 
Humans can be carriers (i.e. you can bring it home).
 
Affects old and young.  Tends to hit slender ferrets much more quickly
and worse.
 
This is something that is naturally in the ferret's system.  Then why
are so many ferrets suddenly getting ill?  There seems to be a link
between this and the recent storms.  The barometric pressure has been
lower in the past several weeks than it has been in a very long time.  This
put a *LOT* of stress on the ferrets and may have made them especially
susceptible.  So, just because you were not at the NJ show, don't think
your ferrets can't have this!!!
 
I should be getting more information tomorrow.  I'll pass it on.  There
should be an official notice from one of the researching clubs within
a day or two.
 
- Nancy
 
Nancy Hartman                     CIS graduate student
[log in to unmask]                  U. of Delaware
        President and founder, Delaware Valley Ferret Club
          Owner of Percy, Bree, & Popcorn, the ferrets
 
[Posted in FML issue 0443]