It's been a very hard time for so many.  Steve and I want to extend our
sympathies, and hope that things will improve in coming weeks and months.
 
When we had ECE here we found that A/D made a huge difference in their
welbeing, and that Sustical also helped.  Vets sell the A/D.  Hopefully,
those facing it now will not face complications, but DO be aware that if
anything quietly chronic (like Helicobacter) is present it will be likely
to flare up and need treating.  Also, colitis can happen and that needs
different treatment.  What makes it complicated is that some meds for one
are counterindicated for the other.  That means that if you run into
problems you might have to try one thing for a while to see if the
situation improves or worsens, and then act accordingly.
 
If it would help to hear some good news it's raining around here.  Now,
that may not seem like much but according to the NJ Section of the NY Times
in the first half of last month this entire area has been in a drought
since July and some of the emergency water sources being considered plus
the sheer low levels of water in reservoirs meant that the quality of
water for the region was expected to deteriorate and the chlorine levels
eventually be upped to a possibly unpalatible range.  If we keep getting
precipitation maybe reports of other ferrets sick (ditto their human
families) will be much lower than they otherwise would have been.  That's
good for NJ, lower NY, eastern PA, and CT.
 
Many of our guys have a minor bug which they caught from Steve recently.
Meeteetse, Scooter, and I are kind of running the show since we're okay.
Everyone else is rather grumpy, grumbly, snuffly, forgetful, and gassy
(REALLY gassy) -- not anything major but they are being watched in case
it gets any worse.  It makes for unusual romp times since they are more
stubborn than usual about not sharing anything, thank you.  A LOT of light
belly-belly rub-rubs are being requested and given, with aromatic (cough,
gag) results, and happier ferrets afterward.  Otherwise, they are fine;
it's very low grade.  Not being inclined to risk my survival I have not
offered Steve a belly rub!  ;)
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2545]