Yes, ferret do catch influenza; use precautions like hand washing, face masks, no kissing, etc. if you have influenza (or even if you think that it might be a cold, because even though ferrets don't get human rhinoviruses they can get some of our sinus infections, or sometimes a person will be infected with an influenza to which the person has a bit of immunity so the symptoms will be low enough to seem like just a cold). Ferrets do cough and hack more during shedding seasons so comb them, give them furball laxative, and even give a bath to wash away loose hairs. It is possible to have a blockage from too much ingested fur. Some ferrets do get allergies but it doesn't seem to be many of them. One common cause seems to be perfume in laundry detergents or softeners that aren't allergan "free". Finally -- and very importantly -- chest x-rays can be very important when a ferret has a persistent or pronounced cough. It is entirely possible for the ferret's chest to sound normal yet for there to be a serious lung infection (Have been there.) or -- more commonly -- cardiomyopathy (Ditto.) which is not at all uncommon in older ferrets. In the first, prompt treatment will save the ferret's life. For the second, prompt treatment will provide months or in some cases even years of happy and comfortable time and extra life (instead of suffering the untreated result of a disease that is very uncomfortable and quite rapidly fatal without treatment). [Posted in FML issue 3583]