http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/message/8726 >[An FHL member reminded people to not assume it is ECE until the >very specialized test results are back.] > > >**I agree with you. I believe that it will turn out to be ECE, based >on the histopathology, and I KNOW that it is a virus, but until we >hear back from Matti regarding the special staining, the jury is >still out and there are other viruses that it could be. I don't know >which would be worse, actually, a horribly virulent strain of ECE or >something totally new. A really, really nasty strain of flu would >actually be the best, as it is least likely to be a continuing >contaminant of the environment. > >So far, since we started on the Tamiflu, we have had no additional >cases and no additional losses. If it is over here - and I hope it is >we lost a total of thirteen. That's a lot of grief - and we haven't >allowed ourselves to even begin to mourn yet. There's still too much >to do.** [The same FHL member wonders if over-protecting ferrets may undermine their health, and Dr. Ruth also responded to those comments.] >**I like the pictures. I'd like my house to have one of those pristine >areas, just so the ferrets could have a great time messing it up! > >They have proven in children that except for those unfortunates with >damaged immune systems, exposure to the world at large builds up their >immunity and makes them healthier both as children and as adults - >look at the studies that recently came out showing the children who >were exposed to pets as babies had less incidence of asthma. > >There is a fine balance between protecting them and over-protecting >them, certainly.** > >Dr. Ruth > > ***************************************** > Save lives - spay or neuter your pet. 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 6194]