Hello all.
 
I was so distressed about my friend that I completely forgot the good news
that I have.  I have been in contact with the environmental health dept.  of
the city of Va beach and we have been working together on a "quarantine
policy" recommendation to be sent to the State Health dept. in Richmond.
This will cover what to do in cases of ferret bites where the history is
known, or unknown and what time period the quarantine will cover.  It is
also involving an information flyer and recommendations that will go to
every breeder, pet store, animal shelter, SPCA, animal control, or anyone
that will come in contact with ferrets!
 
While we were working on this, a call came to her office.  A ferret was
involved with a dog in a bite case.  The ferret had to be removed from the
dog's nose.  It appears that both the dog & ferret were running loose.  The
ferret is now in quarantine, awaiting the official decision, from Richmond,
as to the recommendation for testing or quarantine and vaccination.  The
Health dept person is fighting FOR VACCINATION & QUARANTINE!!!!
 
She also notified me in advance to find the owner, which we did & the ferret
looks like it will not be sacrificed!!!!  Hooray!!!  She also said that in
each case she will notify me to try and locate the owner.  I am very
encouraged by her attitude and assistance.  She also admitted to me that she
had felt very badly about the four ferrets tested in late May & that had a
big deal to do with why she was calling me.
 
I want to THANK Dick Bossart for the informational package on rabies, which
is now in her hands and Troy Lynn Eckhart for all of the hard work to put
this together.
 
Anyway, keep your fingers & paws crossed on this one........I will keep you
up to date on the situation.
 
Lisa
[Posted in FML issue 1642]