Dear Darlene:
 
>Not much that I can put my finger on mostly just intuition like I said.
>Sleeps more than normal, isn't playing, not really interested in food.
>Is it coincidence or can a ferret catch a cold as well as carry?  Could
>the two new ones have brought something but don't show symptoms?
 
Intuition is a very important part of ferret health care.  Minor illnesses
can cause little to no signs, and major illnesses (NOT THAT I AM THINKING
THAT HERE!) usually start out with minor signs as well.  It is a wonderful
thing to know your ferrets so well that you can tell when they are off just
a little bit.
 
Ferrets don't catch "colds" per se, which are usually due to rhinoviruses,
but can also be the end result of infection with Coxsackie viruses,
echoviruses, and morbilliviruses (respiratory syncytial viruses.)  But
they do catch and transmit another common virus with causes cold-like
symptoms - the influenza virus.
 
Yes, you can give the flu to your ferrets, and they can give it to you,
or more commonly, to each other.  Flu in ferrets looks just like flu in
people - watery eyes and nose, sneezing, not wanting to eat, and a
low-grade fever.  If you were spreading the flu virus, you can give it
to your ferret.
 
But you are using your intuition, so it is obvious that the signs haven't
progressed far as of yet.  All I can tell you is to watch carefully, make
sure that everyone is getting adequate food and water, and if more severe
or identifiable signs appear, call your vet.
 
You're being a great mom!
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM
[Posted in FML issue 3247]