To Bill and Claire Sebok concerning their first rescue ferret:
 
>       We realize that for the sake of our other ferrets we need to take
>infectious disease precautions and quarantine her for a period of time.  For
>what length of time should we quarantine her? What other precautions should we
>take to make sure our other ferrets aren't exposed to any diseases from her?
>We would appreciate any advice.
 
       Bill - First of all, I wouldn't let her mingle until you have taken her
to the vet and had a good checkup, including a fecal check for coccidia.  Also,
I'm sure that your ferrets are up to date for distemper shots (but it's a good
reminder for anyone else who is in a similar situation).  Concerning epizootic
catarrhal enterisi (the GD) - there really isn't a good quarantine period - we
know ferrets can shed the virus as long as four months and probably even
longer.
 
Best of luck,
 
--
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP              Department of Veterinary Pathology
[log in to unmask]               Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
[log in to unmask]             Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
(202) 782-2600/2602
[Posted in FML issue 1161]