To Dave Ljung -
I wouldn't worry about separating your ferrets or adopting any others
because of ECE. I first got ECE in my household over 2 years ago when my
Warlock came down with it and almost died. He was in the hospital for 6
days and was not given proper care and they just gave up on him. I took him
home and feed him every 2 hrs. around the clock for a week before he would
eat and drink anything on his own. He had lost lots of weight and could not
even walk when I brought him home. He is doing fine today at the age of 5.
When we first had ECE I had only 2 ferrets and now I have 11. I am
certainly concerned about any new adoptees getting the disease. I separate
any new ferrets for about 10 days before introducing them to the others
anyway. Since I know what ECE signs to look for and if one of the kids
stops eating I immediately start forcing food and liquids. Only a couple of
the others have come down with it and they came through it just fine with my
help and supplemental feedings. I guess the others are immune. I don't
expect that they will ever get it. I don't take any of them around other
ferrets because I would not want mine to pass along ECE to another. Even
though they haven't had it they might be able to carry the germs. I also
don't want mine to pick up any diseases from any other ferret. Good luck!
[Posted in FML issue 1445]