Some Dr. Bruce Williams replies on this topic (one that I carried over to the FHL) are in the FHL Archives so I suspect they are also in the FML Archives: >Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] Whooping Cough and Strep Throat > >Veterinary pathologist, Dr. Bruce Williams asked me to pass this on: > > Begin text of Dr. Williams: > > Dear --------: > >Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria, Bordetella pertussis. Ferrets >and other small mammals can contract a similar agent, Bordetella >bronchiseptica, part of the "kennel cough" complex, but Bordetella >pertussis has not been identified in ferrets. > >Ferrets have not been incriminated as a reservoir for Strep throat, >like dogs have been (dogs can be asymptomatic carriers). It is likely >that they might carry it, but it has never been investigated. > >Bacteria are less species specific than viruses. While a ferret might >be infected with a bacterial experimentally, that is far different than >carrying a bacteria and transmitting it in an zoonotic fashion (to man). >I would hate to raise a red flag where there is no data to back it up. >Ferrets have enough problems as it is. See also http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG11650 for an extensive set of vet replies on both strep throat and the separate problem of kennel cough, as well as a past vet text search. It is amazing how very many topics are very well covered in the FML and FHL Archives. -- Sukie (not a vet, and not speaking for any of the below in my private posts) Recommended health resources to help ferrets and the people who love them: Ferret Health List http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth FHL Archives http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ AFIP Ferret Pathology http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html Miamiferrets http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/ International Ferret Congress Critical References http://www.ferretcongress.org [Posted in FML issue 5236]