To Mark Z. -
 
>1).  Has coccidia been known to act this way?  I mean, after treatment with
>Albon, then Amoxicillin, should Boomer's stool still be green and unformed?
>(His stools were better throughout the week...kinda brownish, formed, but
>"seedy".  The green came back either late Friday or early Saturday.)
 
In your post, you didn't ever mention that your vet found coccidia on a
fecal test.  A lot of diseases can cause green slimy poop - it just means
that the food is moving through an irritated bowel too fast.  If your vet
saw coccidia, that's one thing, if you are treating empirically, that's
another....
 
>2).  Could it possibly be ECE?  Even though I doubt it, I would just like
>to know.  None have shown any signs lethargy.  All three are eating,
>drinking playing like they're "normal".  All three have (and have had
>throughout t his stuff) normal temperatures.
 
Sure could.  The severity of the signs of ECE often depends on the age of
the ferret and other diseases that the ferrets have....  young healthy
ferrets may only show diarrhea and act almost normal...
 
>3). I'm supposed to take all three of them to the GDFA show in Atlanta next
>weekend.  Do I dare?  Both Buster's and Snookie's stools are normal shaped,
>even though Buster's are "seedy"/"grainy" and kinda yellowish/brown.  If I
>treat Boomer this week and his stool changes from green to "normal"-ish, can
>I take him?  If the three have been exposed to coccidia and I take them to
>the show, can the judges infect other ferrets after handling mine or is it
>*only* transmitted via direct contact with feces?
 
I think it's a bad idea all around.  Especially if there's a possibility of
ECE.  As you appear to be on the club/show circuit - have you or they been
around any other ferrets within the last 7 days or so?
 
A full treatment for coccidia lasts about 3 weeks, and ECE can be shed for
months.  Do the GDFA a favor - don't take them to the show...
 
>4).  Have the three actually been exposed to coccidia at all or could it be
>something else?
 
That's something that you should tell us - have they been around other
ferrets recently?  If not, then there is a minimal chance.  Could it be
something else -?  That's something you have to ask your vet, based on his
or her workup to date....
 
Best regards,
 
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP              Chief Pathologist, AccuPath
[Posted in FML issue 1717]