According to the ministry no cases of bovine TB has been found in fitch
or ferrets here in the UK.
 
Cats and Dogs
Bovine TB (bTB) can affect domestic cats and dogs (i.e. pets) but the
apparent incidence is low.  They may be exposed to infection from a
variety of potentially infected animals including cattle, badgers and
other wildlife.  Owners can take some precautions against their animal
getting bTB, for example, by ensuring their cats do not drink
unpasteurised milk.
 
Notifying the disease
 
Under current legislation, bTB in cats and dogs is not notifiable to
the Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM), although it is good practice
to do so.
 
The Tuberculosis (England and Wales) Order 1984 as amended by The
Tuberculosis (England and Wales)(Amendment) Order 1990 is in the process
of being reviewed.  A new Order will be laid before Parliament and is
expected to be brought into force in 2006.
 
This revised Order will clarify and strengthen the powers of the
veterinary inspectors in dealing with incidents of bTB, and follow up
cases where bTB is found in other species.
 
Bovine TB in cats and dogs is a zoonosis (i.e. the disease can be spread
from animal to human).  Therefore, the DVM or private veterinary surgeon
must inform the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) of the
Local Health Authority so the health status of human contacts can be
investigated.
 
Action the DVM takes
 
The DVM will request a pathological examination and bacteriological
culture from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), at Defra's
expense.  If notification of a positive culture comes from a private
or Public Health Laboratory Service laboratory, they are encouraged to
submit samples to VLA, at Defra's expense.
 
If bTB is reported in a farm cat or dog, the DVM will instigate
tuberculin check tests of any cattle on the farm and other potentially
exposed cattle on neighbouring premises.
 
Treatment
 
Treatment is not recommended due to the risk of transmission to other
animals and the pets owners.
 
The man with a new idea is a crank until other take it up
Mark Twain
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/intact-ferrets/
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/house-ferrets
http://www.geocities.com/houseferrets13uk/First_Page-Index.html
Come see some of my hobs and jills
http://www.geocities.com/houseferrets13uk/Some_of_my_jills.html
Some of our fund-raising events
http://www.geocities.com/houseferrets13uk/Show.html
[Posted in FML issue 5146]