http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/message/4795 >Yes, ferrets are now having a systemic coronavirus disease that is >very similar to the dry form of feline FIP. Bloodwork will usually >show an increase in the globulins (esp. gammaglobulins) and anemia. > >The biopsy results are very similar to feline FIP (pyogranulomatous >inflammatory lesions). Instead of viral isolation, an IHC staining can >be done with the feline FIP antibody to verify the presence of the >coronavirus. It is actually the ferret coronavirus and not the cat >corona- virus that is causing the problem based on work from Michigan >State University. > >Treatment is similar to feline FIP with pred (Pediapred) and feline >interferon omega (Virbagen Omega from Virbac). Antibiotics can be >used for secondary infections (doxycycline (5 mg/kg bid) is currently >recommended for cats with FIP). Nutritional support with Hill's a/d, >baby food, and/or Oxbow's carnivore care may help. Pet tinic may >help with the anemia. Antioxidants may help decrease some of the >inflammation and lesions. Low dose aspirin is still suggested by >some for cats with FIP. Unfortunately ferrets with FIP (just like >cats with FIP) usually have a progressive and fatal disease. > >Hope that helps and feel free to have your vets contact me if they >have any more questions. > >Jerry Murray, DVM >Dallas, Texas. Brought to the FML with author's permission from the FHL by and FHL co- moderator, Sukie (not a vet) Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html [Posted in FML 5829]