From: Marie Schatz
>3 of the squirrels in my backyard got squirrel pox - my vet said those
>types of things are usually viral and species specific - but this reference
>to chicken pox made we wonder if there was a similar thing that would be
>specifici specific to ferrets or mustalids....
 
Dear Marie -
 
Ferrets and other mustelids can get neither chicken pox or squirrel pox.
There are some differences in these diseases - chicken pox being a
herpesvirus, and squirrel pox being a true poxvirus.  However, both are
very species-specific, and don't readily cross species.
 
Squirrel pox results in proliferative warty growth, that can get rather
ugly, and may interfere with a squirrels vision or ability to feed.
However, your ferrets have nothing to worry about.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3192]