Dear Anonymous,
 
Get the FAQs on ECE and see how what you read there compares with what you
are encountering.  Either your new one may have been a carrier, or one of
the ferrets with whom you played and cuddled might have carried it or been
displaying it.  Of course, there are also other possible contagious
intestinal illnesses and parasites which your ones could have and must also
be checked for, some of which can be serious threats to health, but it was
ECE which first taught owners so well that it is only considerate and
logical to take precautions.  Some are washing body and clothes when you get
home after a store or show BEFORE you see your own ferrets, and never
exposing others' ferrets to your's (or even to your possibly contaminated
skin, hair, shoes, and clothes) if your family members have been sick with
something contagious until you know for SURE from an exotics vet that the
chances of contagion are at least pretty well non-existent (preferably
totally non-existent, but with some things that can't be determined).
 
Have your ferrets and their waste examined right away (but FIRST warn your
vet so that precautions can be taken there for the safety of other ferrets),
so that the fuzzies can be treated appropriately for whatever it is that
they have.  Give your vet the ECE FAQs.  Use careful feedings with calorie
and nutrient rich foods, and use Pedialyte (freeze the excess in cubes since
it is good for only two days before the electrolytes drop from solution into
non-usable forms).  Be patient with them in relation to eating their soup;
it may take a long time complete with non-stop cuddles and with a towel or
two or three on your lap in case the runs happen then and there.
Fortunately, we have not encountered ECE ourselves, but have had experience
with a parasite and certainly have had to do these things with other
illnesses.
 
Let PATIENCE, VET CARE, SUPPORTIVE NURSING, and CAUTION for others' ferrets
be your guide words now.
 
BTW, it only makes sense for EVERYONE to get the FAQs, read them, and pass
them on to vets.  That teaches you, teaches your vet, and gives your vet
EXCELLENT documents to help teach OTHER ferret people or those considering
ferrets.
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 1834]