I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, I am actually hoping maybe some on the FHL would review this & respond. I don't know if we "general public" ferret folks can post on the FHL or not?? I am posting on behalf of a dear friend and ferret mom who fears she sees a pattern in the death of 3 ferrets with a 4th ferret now looking unhealthy. I will give as much detail as possible - and am looking for any help, suggestions, knowledge, insight you can lend as we try to learn from experience and hopefully prevent additional occurrences. Household had 8 ferrets - experienced ferret mom, all but 1 were shelter ferrets, all exposed to ECE at one time or another. Household took in 2 new shelter ferrets from a different shelter than the others definately ECE exposed before coming to the house - these two went to the hospital almost immediately for nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, lethargy - stayed at hospital for 2 days, received sub-q fluids and supportive care. One of the 2 had surgery at a later date for insulinoma. For what it's worth - and this might be important, Mom & Dad had severe flu for a couple of days in this timeframe of when ferret #1 became ill. Within a month of new arrivals, ferret #1 below became ill. Ferrets 1-4 below all female, approx 6 years of age. Ferret #1 - Spook - 6 mos after arrival of 2 newcomers - loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, diarreha, dehydration. Supplemented with soup for some time, no progress seemed to made. Hospitalized x2 days, x-ray negative, syringe fed, sub-q fluids, chem pannel, cbc, checked glucose 4 times over the 2 days, administered Amoxi and also started Pred .3 (1mg/ml). Went home with meds & AD, pedialyte. Taken to vet 1 day later upon observation of large amount of blood from rectum - emeciated, severe bruising around previously drawn blood site, euthanized at vet's recommendation. Ferret #2 -Peanut - loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, diarreha, dehydration, vomitting. Supplemented with soup but ferret very quickly went to bright red blood from rectum. Taken to vet, euthanized, with vet saying they believed it to be complications from/ongoing damage from previous ECE. Ferret #3 - Angel - same symptoms as prvious 2, lasting approx 1 month, up & down but always lethargic. Mom was the most observant of this ferret, sensing a pattern here. Occasional red blood in stool. This ferret did take low dose of Pred daily (.10cc 1mg/ml) for glucose issues. All lab work came back within normal limits. This time, vet prescribed Karafate, Flagil, Amoxi & Pepcid. 2-3 weeks after medicaltions, started looking sick again, not able to put on weight with kibble and turkey baby food, did seem to add a weight with addition of A/D so we assumed that maybe the kibble & Turkey was not providing enough protein as this particular ferret came in on "purina kitten" which we equate to Cheetos and was never able to convert to a better food. 4 months after medications and some up & down progress, symptoms returned with intermittent blood in stools. Went downhill quickly and completely refused food. Ferret was euthanized (of course, is was a Sunday afternoon, when most ferret emergencies seem to happe n). Ferret was left at vet for a Post to be done. Results as follows: Cachexic, pale mm.?? Abdominal exam - spleen small, adrenal WNL, R kidney 2x2cm cyst on dorsal aspect, both kidneys 50-75% of normal size, liver OK, pancreatic tissue OK, no masses noted, some degeneration. Intestines OK, no lymph node enlargement noted inabdomen. Thorax; heart OK. Lungs 10 -1x1mm nodules, generalized bilaterally. Lungs felt "thick". Tentative diagnosis: R/O lymphoma, renal failure, liver failure. (So we ruled all this out, but didn't seem to include any possibilities). No tissue samples were taken. Ferret #4 - Willow - loss of appetite, diarreha, vomitting, rapid weight loss, lethargy. Ferret was sick for 1-2 weeks. Supplemented with soup. 1 year has passed, and ferret is again displaying symptoms although she is eating this time, PLUS and blood has been noticed in the habitat, although cannot be sure it's from this ferret. When seperated from group, this ferret is eating plenty one day, not so much overnight. Continues to maintain a low weight & act lethargic, squinty eyes, diarreha, grainy poops green/tan, etc. Have just tried a dose of Kaopectate, but no positive results. 6 other household ferrets remain healthy with the usual mix of adrenal & insulinoma going on. OK - the questions: Looking for a course of action. Lab work & x-rays have never showed anything so owner is hesitent to continue spending $$ on tests that never show results, although is willing to spend $$ on anything that will help. How do we stabilize ferret #4? Are there any concerns feeding A/D for a prolonged period of time? Why is this food treated like a drug? Is this in any way related to arrival of 2 newcomers from shelter? Is this in any way related to mom & dad's flu? Where is this blood coming from? How can a ferret have blood, and a post show nothing indicating where blood is from? Is there actually evidence that ECE has prolonged effects after symptoms subside? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. It could be that there is no connection between any of their illnesses - certainly we know that no matter what's wrong with a ferret, it seems to show up in their digestive system & the litter pan. It's the blood that really bothers us and has not been explained. Appreciate your time, Jerri Carel, Louisville KY [Posted in FML issue 3652]