FERRET-SEARCH@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG
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Date: | Tue, 15 Oct 1996 10:02:58 -0500 |
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I have an impending dilemma that I need help with. I've read all
I can find from past FML's about ECE, shedding, exposures, etc. - but I'm
still uncertain about something. Please help.
First - let me say that I have made the personal decision to never
intentionally expose any of my ferrets or anyone else's to ECE. Not making
any judgements here - that's just my preference.
Now - I have a friend that adopted a ferret 3 months ago from a shelter that
has had ECE. She was advised at the time to go ahead and expose her other
ferret (who was 6 months old at the time) - as the recovery rate is much
better for ferrets younger than 2 and older than 4 years. It is unclear
whether the adopted ferret had ever actually had ECE - or had just been in
the shelter where ECE had been. The shelter owner advised me to NOT bring
the shelter ferret into my home. I have 3 ferrets: 2 were adopted - ages
approximated at 4-5 and 6-7 years. The other ferret is 2.5 years old - and
has had a nephrectomy, partial adrenalectomy, and a history of gastric
problems. It was her opinion that Binky (the youngest) to be too
potentially fragile to be exposed.
Now the friend would like to visit - and bring her kids. I'm not sure what
to do. I've read the shedding period is from 6 months up to possibly a year
or more. Since it's unclear whether the shelter ferret ever had the virus
or not - I'm not sure what the risks are.
I don't want to be rude or hurt anyone's feelings, but I'm incredibly
overprotective. My roommate and I are about to come to blows over this
issue. (She wants the friends to come and stay with us.) I've offered to
pay for a hotel room. I'm so stressed - I can't bear the thought of putting
my kids through anything I can possibly avoid, particularly something like
ECE. Binky's is decidedly fragile - but my other two aren't particularly
youngers either.
Thanks,
Cheryl and the Wrecking Crew
- Kelly (old maid cat) "Geez... not *more* of them!"
- Duncan "Just don't let 'em eat my cheerios."
- Ferris "I don't *do* babysitting."
- binky! "Bring Avery on, Mom - I can kick his a** any day!!"
[Posted in FML issue 1723]
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