Good post, Julie!
 
Coccidia is prone to at times having variants, some of which can be worse
than the usual.  Many years ago there was one (tackled by experts here on
the FML, actually, with me providing some scud work for them, who did the
pathology and tracing of cases with Dr. Bruce Williams leading that
team).  That one was not highly contagious -- about 1/3 of the ferrets
exposed would get it if I recall right -- but all who got it would die in
massive simultaneous blooms.  Isolation was used, for longer than usual,
and if I recall right the treatment was longer than usual, as well.
 
This year there appears to be an unusually recurrent form which a ferret
pathologist is now studying.  This is not a project of Dr. Williams but
he was the one who first asked me to get involved in helping the other
ferret pathologist in this way.  I am helping him find some possible
additional cases with specimens.
 
This is NOT free diagnostic work.  It is looking at specimens where
there are unusual coccidia cases already under care.  The further work
being done by this pathologist IS free.  So, if you THINK that you may
have a coccidia problem but have not already been to the vet for the
initial work that is NOT the sort of case wanted this time.  If you
have been going through one of those feel-like-pulling-your-
hair-out-in-frustration type of coccidia situations which some are
encountering this year then contact me.
 
Those who possibly have such cases need to write DIRECTLY to me at either
of my two addresses:
 
[log in to unmask]
 or
[log in to unmask]
 
In those notes you will need to include the treating vet contact info
(current, and ones who worked on this case before, please, unless the new
vet has the earlier treating vet's file on the case) and details on the
cases (including the pet's (pets') names, and the person's name so the
vet knows which file to pull when discussing the case, tests done, etc.
I will then send the info on those possible cases past the pathologist
who likely will take it from there, but may instead ask me to pass on
his contact info.
 
These will be vet to vet discussions, and specimen sharing.
 
A number of people don't seem to know that coccidia can have some pretty
horrid variants at times, and that has led to some of those who have
encountered such variations feeling a lot of needless guilt.  If the
infection variation itself can be better understood then that is what
could lead to a solution to those problems.
 
-- Sukie (not a vet, and not speaking for any of the below in my
private posts)
Recommended health resources to help ferrets and the people who love
them:
Ferret Health List
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
AFIP Ferret Pathology
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
Miamiferrets
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
International Ferret Congress Critical References
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 5293]