Julie writes: >In contrast, reference (2) suggests the isospora species that >infects ferrets may cross- infect dogs and cats, so other species in >the household should be checked for coccidia and treated as needed. >I do not know which reference is correct. Many years ago we had to treat our entire household when a petstore in this area had multiple species with coccidia and it arrived here from Warp, who was a multiple time returnee to the store and who was going through anorexia. When the store was contacted about the coccidia it not only failed to cover the medication for our household (which was at that time required by a relatively new state law) but what really worried us was that the management refused to test or treat any of the animals in the store. Our vet provided the info on hospital letterhead to the state and also to MF whose ferrets were sold there, and we provided MF with info on the living conditions of ferrets in the store (3 six month old ones in a 10 gallon aquarium (sadly not exaggerating) and a copy of the infection information. The state came in and did spot tests and found the coccidia to be be in ferrets, dogs, and I can't recall if also in cats. I do not know if the coccidia was of one or more species. With the way things were then anything would have been possible in that location. The store was then required to treat all of the animals, and then afterward to transfer them to one of their other branches for sale because that particular store was not allowed to sell most animals for 6 months due to health conditions found. Meanwhile, MF refused to sell the chain ferrets until they provided a humane set-up for ferrets, so 6 months later when they had animals again conditions were much, much better in that store and conditions for ferrets improved for the chain. Coccidia is pretty capable of throwing variants, so it would not at all surprise me if some are species specific but others are not, but I am not a pathologist so not the one to know the answer. --- If they can not operate on the R adrenal then provide such meds as Lupron Melatonin implant Proscar/Propecia Casodex is an alternative Flomax is sometimes used There may be other things to help. Look up related posts by AFERRETVET in the FHL archives. Addy is in my sig lines. These will get you started: http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG6795 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG5436 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG16791 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG12819 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG10132 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG9678 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG8354 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG7311 -- 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 5293]