The joy of adding new ferrets to my family turned to sadness when every
single one of them became sick and it is my own fault.  Two new ferrets
joined us last week.  They came from different places and were both from
single ferret homes.  They seemed healthy, and so, after just a few days, I
let them all play together.  I assumed that since they hadn't been around
other ferrets, they couldn't have any ferret diseases.  I should have
waited at least a week.  My vet said two weeks is better.  Now I have one
ferret who won't stop sneezing and three with diarrhea.  It is possible
that it is ECE (some of the poop was green, but not all of it) or something
else they would have caught no matter how long I kept them separated.
But, it is also possible that one of the ferrets was just coming down with
something, and if I had waited, I could have kept that ferret isolated
until he or she was better.  Then, the rest of my babies would not have
had to go through all this.  So, even though we've heard it before, if you
get new ferrets, please wait before you let them play together.  It is not
worth taking the chance of letting all your ferrets get sick.
 
Also, If anyone has any further advice on what I should be doing to help
them recover, I'd appreciate it.  I've discovered that even though I really
like my vet, she doesn't know very much about ferrets (If any one knows of
a good ferret vet anywhere near Union, Missouri, please let me know.  I
have a lead on one in Columbia, but that is rather far).  So far, I am
giving all the ferrets duck soup and Pedialite, some more, some less,
depending on who I see eating and drinking.  I'm about to start Kaopectate,
but may not need it.  Their stools are already becoming more solid.  The
sneezing girl is on antibiotics, but the vet said the rest of the guys
don't need it.  Has anyone (especially vets) ever heard of something called
"Tasha's Herbs for Cats, Immune System Formula?" The vet said to use it,
but after one dose, I've questioned its benefits).  I haven't been letting
them out to play together, but they are starting to seem a little better
(this started two days ago).  Is there any reason to continue to keep them
isolated?  Surely they all have the same germs now.  If there is anything
else I should be doing, please let me know in an email.  Taking care of
sick ferrets has been keeping me a little too busy to read the FML for the
last few days.
 
BTW, Thank you to whoever suggested that I have Pedialite and frozen duck
soup on hand for just such an emergency.  It's a lot easier to thaw an ice
cube than to run to the store and start a cooking project when I'm trying
to care for sick babies.  And thank you again Sara!  Sorry I woke you up!!
 
Jodie
 
Ms. Natasha Delilah Weasel Woo: I don't feel too bad.  Honest!  Let me out
to play!
Jewel: Mmmm!  That duck soup stuff isn't too bad.  You keep squirtin' it in
my mouth and I'll keep swallowing.
 
Ruby Belle Angel Baby: Hey, I don't like it way back here in the bathroom.
HEY!  Can anybody hear me?  ACHOO!
Sir William Robert Big Boy aka Billy Bob Big Sissy Boy: I am not a sissy.
I only scream like a girl when they bite too hard.  I think I'll take
another nap.
[Posted in FML issue 2735]