Feb 14, 1998
Universal City Animal Hospital, Inc.
2510 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, Texas     78148
210-658-6326
210-658-5568 (FAX)
Re:  GREEN DIARRHEA VIRUS OF FERRETS; also called EPIZOOTIC CATARRHAL
ENTERITIS (ECE)
 
This virus hit the San Antonio Area about four years ago with a VERY HIGH
morbidity and low mortality.  This was a disease that had been reported to
me by Rick White (director of the San Antonio Ferret Enthusiasts - S.A.F.E.)
After he learned about it happening on the east coast area.  I feel
confident that the information I received help save many ferrets.
Consultations with veterinarians already dealing with the disease was very
informative and timely (It tales months to get information out in our
professional journals).  This disease is a corona virus which effects the
intestines causing loss of villi (thus absorptive surface depletion).  These
ferrets become RAPIDLY DEHYDRATED, suffer electrolyte disturbances, and lose
weight quickly.  We saw TWO FORMS of this disease: 1) A mild diarrhea with
lethargy of young ferrets (under 8 to 9 months of age).  Most of these
ferrets had soft stools which were orange, brown, or green all with fluid or
mucous.  Most of these ferrets were treated with Amoxi Drops (5 to 10 mg /#
BID) and an electrolyte solution (Resorb, Pedilyte, or similar product).
Food was given free choice AND augmented with a HIGH CALORIE supplement
(Hill's A/D, Nutrical, Ferrivite, etc.).  These ferrets generally recovered
in 3 to 10 days.
 
2) A Severe diarrhea accompanied by severe dehydration occurred in ferrets
over one year of age.  These ferrets were often hospitalized and given
massive amounts of Lactated Ringers subcutaneously (100 to 200 ml PER POUND
OF BODY WEIGHT!).  Most of these ferrets will tolerate a 22 or 23 Gauge
needle with 24 to 48 ml of fluids every one or two hours.  These ferrets
were usually placed on Amoxi Drops (5 to 10 mg /# BID) or Metronidazole
(25 mg /# SID).  Our experience was Centrine did NOT seem to effect this
diarrhea.  PeptoBismol did seem to make these ferrets feel better (1/8 tab q
4 to 8 hours OR 1/4 tsp q 6 to 8 hours).  External heat was usually offered
as a heat lamp/trouble light hung on the outside of the cage.  Most ferrets
would sleep under towels next to the external heat source.  These ferrets
were usually anorectic and were TUBE FED 12 cc of Hill's A/D every one or
two hours.  Most of these ferrets took 10 to 14 days to get better (some
took about 30 days and sadly some will die).  In order to get these ferrets
to eat again, they were usually fed gruel type foods that apparently cause
less intestinal cramping.  We would suggest mixing Sustical with Turkey Baby
Food into a thick gravy consistency.  Sustical can be purchased at most
pharmacies.  We would add to this mixture (if the ferrets would tolerate the
changes) Nutrical or Ferrivite, Ferritone, and ferret chow (softened with
hot water).  This mixture is usually fed with syringes or eyedroppers and
hopefully will eventually be eaten free choice out of a bowl.  Ferrets that
died were sent to Dr. Bruce Williams (202-782-2600) for histopath at the
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology,
Washington, D.C.  20306-6000.  Our submissions revealed villus necrosis as
the general lesion with numerous lymphocytes and plasma cells present.  Most
ferrets that died had an UNRELATED, UNKNOWN PRE-EXISTING AILMENT (like
intestinal lymphosarcoma, adrenal tumors, renal disease, etc.) that
apparently decreased their ability to survive.  We had a few return to their
normal activity or appetite levels.  Based on the regional lymphocytosis of
the intestines we theorized a lymphocyte induced damage and would give
dexamethasone (.0625 mg / ferret SID P.O.- this is 1/4 of a .25 mg tablet).
Most of these ferrets responded dramatically within 2 or 3 days with great
appetites and return to normal behavior.  We would only treat with
dexamethasone AFTER the acute phase was over and only then would we treat
for 10 to 14 days and then abruptly cease all medications.
 
Additional contacts I have used for consultations were:
Dr. Susan Brown (708-344-8166)
Dr. Tom Kawasaki (703-494-0094)
Dr. Bruce Williams (202-782-2600)
Please feel free to copy and distribute this information to your
veterinarians and colleagues.  I
sincerely hope this effort will save lives of ferrets from this disease.
 
Sincerely,
Leo V. Gates, III  D.V.M.
[Posted in FML issue 2388]