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Subject:
From:
Lorinda Baker <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 16 Oct 1996 12:01:12 -0500
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> Subject: ECE question - dilemma
 
I think you are entirely justified in not wanting to expose your ferrets to
other ferrets that may have had ECE.  I think it is epizootic catarrhal
enteritis (ECE) For the Chicago reader who asked, there is a lot of info on
the FERRET WORLD web page.
 
I have a ferret right now, Squeegy who has had ECE for two weeks.  Some days
he is better and some days he is worse.  He hates all of his medication and
hand feeding.  I wonder which is worse, the stress of being restrained and
medicated, or no medicine at all.  Well, I insist he has his antibiotic, but
he refuses to hand feed.  He wants to still eat his regular food.  I think
it is like the two year old that says, "I do it myself.  Don't help"
 
He was always under weight, hovering around 2# and 5 oz.  Now he is only 2#
and I can feel all of his bones, his ribs and spine.  He has the indomitable
ferret spirit, but you can see how easily he tires.  I have to be there
every night and morning for medication, so there goes the weekend trip I had
planned with my family.  The vet said he can be sick as long as a month, and
you know they can be infectious for months.
 
The carrier was a new baby ferret that by boyfriend bought, Chewbaca the
Wookie.  I helped him with it, as his first ferret, and unwisely exposed my
two.  Squeegy got it right away, but Hoover never has, and I doubt he will.
Maybe he has the Green Slime resistance gene.  Now Chewbaca is not allowed
to visit, because he harasses Squeegy, who is too weak to fight back.
 
I think you should be firm in feeling not to expose your ferrets, especially
because your youngest is already ailing.  It is unfortunate that your
roommate is taking this personally, but try to help him/her understand the
risks of ECE and the huge pain it is to treat.  I think there has to be a
compromise that your friend can still visit and still bring her ferrets,
without exposing your fuzzies.  The hotel sounded like a good idea.  Be very
careful.  I have heard the virus can travel on clothes, so if you are around
exposed ferrets, you should wash and change clothes before you come in
contact with your own ferrets.
 
I would never wish ECE on any ferret or owner.  Stay strong in your opinion.
Lori, Squeegy the sickly, and H.G. Vancouver the stout
[Posted in FML issue 1724]

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