I know this is long but I hope you let this thru. I wrote to Dr. Klien in response to the mamalian bite post in today's fml. I am forwarding my letter and his response to you and hopefully fellow fmlers (sp?). If anyone else would like to respond to this please do so. The address is [log in to unmask] I found it interesting that the majority of his sources (when dated) were from the 1980's. It would also be nice to let Dr. Klein know that my experience is not an uncommon one as somewhat suggested in his reply. It would also be very nice if some of the more technical/medical knowledgeable people out there could respond. Bob Church/ Bill Killian/MC the Rude One/Amy Flemming? Are you ready, willing and able? Dooks and Blessings, Karen and her party of 4 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hey Hey Hey" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2000 4:32 PM Subject: Ferret bites/mamalian bites Dear Sir or Madam, I strongly object to your representation of the dangerousness of ferrets. I, myself, own 4 ferrets and they are very gentle and affectionante. Although it is true that they sometimes nip in play I have never been bitten to the point where my skin was broken. I also rescue ferrets so I have also been in contact and handled extensively, animals that were unfamiliar with me. I would very much like to know where you did your research or how you determined that ferrets were dangerous and should not be kept as pets. To my knowledge, ferrets have been a domesticated animal for over 1,000 years and have served mankind faithfully during all of that time. I strongly feel that you owe these particular mamals a retraction if not an outright apology. Sincerly, Karen Douglas [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger D. Klein, M.D." <[log in to unmask] To: "Hey Hey Hey" <[log in to unmask] Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2000 4:47 PM Subject: Re: Ferret bites/mamalian bites Dear Ms. Douglas: Thank you very much for your comments. At this time, we stand behind the content of our article, since it represents the mainstream view in the medical literature. In issues of this nature, any one individual's experience is not necessarily relevant. Most ferrets do not attack children, just as most cigarette smokers don't contract lung cancer. This does not mean, however, that ferrets do not present an inordinate risk of this kind of behavior. With regard to rabies risk. The incidence of rabies in domestic animals is low. In the U.S., an extremely small number of people actually contract the disease. That being said, vaccination of ferrets with IMRAB 3 is not currently universally accepted as conferring protection against rabies to human victims of ferret bites. Finally, I direct you to the following resources, in addition to the recently published abstracts that I have copied below. --Ed. Rosen, P., et. al: Emergency Medicine Concepts and Clinical Practice, Vol. 1, 908-909, 1999. Paisley, J, Lauer, B: Severe Facial injuries to infants due to unprovoked attacks by pet ferrets, JAMA, 259:2005, 1988. Constantine, D., Kizer, K: Pet European ferrets, a hazard to public health, small livestock, and wildlife, West J Med: 150: 466, 1988. Van, J: Ferret fad dangerous, vets warn, Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Ill, 1 9/6/86 . J Emerg Med 1998 May-Jun;16(3):425-7 Childhood risks from the ferret. Applegate JA, Walhout MF Advantage Health, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. The ferret is becoming an increasingly popular pet, yet the dangers of ferret ownership remain unrecognized by physicians and the general public. Reported are three incidents of ferret attacks in a 3-month period of time. The risk of attack is greatest in infants and small children. Wounds caused by ferret attacks must be evaluated for injury, infection, and rabies prophylaxis. Such attacks should be reported to animal control authorities. Physicians need to recognize the ferret as a risk to children. --------------------------------- Am J Vet Res 1998 Dec;59(12):1629-32 Viral excretion in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) inoculated with a raccoon rabies isolate. Niezgoda M, Briggs DJ, Shaddock J, Rupprecht CE Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. OBJECTIVE: To determine susceptibility, incubation and morbidity periods, clinical signs of infection, serologic response, and excretion of virus in domestic ferrets inoculated with rabies virus of raccoon origin. ANIMALS: 54 domestic ferrets. PROCEDURE: 5 groups of ferrets were inoculated IM with the rabies virus. Oral cavity swab specimens and saliva were obtained for virus isolation. Blood was obtained for virus-neutralizing antibody determination. If clinical signs were severe, ferrets were euthanatized immediately. Salivary gland and brain tissue was collected for virus isolation and rabies diagnosis, respectively. RESULTS: Of 51 inoculated ferrets, 19 (37%) were euthanatized with clinical signs of rabies. Mean incubation period was 28 days (range, 17 to 63 days). Clinical signs included ataxia, cachexia, inactivity, paresis, paraparesis, bladder atony, tremors, hypothermia, lethargy, constipation, paralysis, and anorexia. Two rabid ferrets manifested aggressive behavior. Mean morbidity period was 4 to 5 days (range, 1 to 8 days). Virus antigen was detected in brain tissue from all rabid ferrets (n = 19). Two rabid ferrets had detectable virus-neutralizing antibody. Of 32 ferrets that survived, only 1 seroconverted; survivors remained clinically normal throughout the observation period. Rabies virus was isolated from salivary glands of 12 of 19 (63%) rabid ferrets, and 9 (47%) shed virus in saliva. Initiation of virus excretion ranged from 2 days before onset of illness to 6 days after onset. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rabies should be considered in the differential diagnosis for ferrets that have acute onset of paralysis or behavioral changes and a condition hat rapidly deteriorates despite intense medical intervention. PMID: 9858418, UI: 99074129 [Posted in FML issue 2974]