**The advice dispensed by myself in reference to FML postings is not meant
to supplant the advice of veterinarians who are in charge of the patient.
If the patient is not currently under the care of a veterinarian, the client
is recommended to take their ferret to one.**
 
>From:    Chris Baker <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Possible flu
>my female sable, Timone.  It seems she has caught the flu I just recovered
>from.  I'm not sure if this is possibe, but I remember reading that ferrets
>can catch human viruses.
 
Yes, ferrets can catch human colds .  Influenza is one of the viral ones,
and there are a few bacterial ones.  I recommend your ferret see a
veterinarian and be put on some antibiotics.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH, USA
[Posted in FML issue 1780]