From: Marie Schatz >3 of the squirrels in my backyard got squirrel pox - my vet said those >types of things are usually viral and species specific - but this reference >to chicken pox made we wonder if there was a similar thing that would be >specifici specific to ferrets or mustalids.... Dear Marie - Ferrets and other mustelids can get neither chicken pox or squirrel pox. There are some differences in these diseases - chicken pox being a herpesvirus, and squirrel pox being a true poxvirus. However, both are very species-specific, and don't readily cross species. Squirrel pox results in proliferative warty growth, that can get rather ugly, and may interfere with a squirrels vision or ability to feed. However, your ferrets have nothing to worry about. With kindest regards, Bruce Williams, DVM [Posted in FML issue 3192]