Cyndi-
 
Our ferrets had Giardia (aka Giardiasis) about a year and a half ago.
Giardia is a protozoan.  Humans and animals can catch it through drinking
contaminated water or contacting the feces of an infected animal
(particularly beavers, in our area folks call it "Beaver Fever").  Our guys
probably contracted it from playing in lake water when we went camping.
 
We treated all 3 ferrets, since they could reinfect each other otherwise,
but didn't worry about transmitting it to others via us humans (just were
extra careful about washing our hands after cleaning litterboxes).  If you
search Yahoo with the keyword "Giardia", you'll get tons of information.
 
Janna and Aron
Daisy & Bandit
[Posted in FML issue 2865]