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]