** WARNING ** WARNING ** WARNING ** WARNING ** It has come to my attention that there is a particularly nasty strain of distemper going around. It was definately present at the recent MD Fun Fest and more than likely at all recent Northern shows and events. My Vice President just lost one ferret to it, and has another ill. One lady (not local) has lost 30 - 40 from her population. Symptoms: Swollen rectum, diarrhea, discharge from eyes and/or nose. [fur loss too?] Incubation period: 4 weeks. High risk group: Any young ferret, and any ferret not recently vaccinated against Canine Distemper. Also highly infectious to dogs. Note: this strain is also hitting vaccinated animals!!! All clubs -- this means *CANCEL* all scheduled ferret events!!! If you meet, don't allow any animals at the meeting, and warn people that they should change clothes and wash before coming in contact with their animals afterward. If you have an animal exibiting symptoms, take him/her to the vet immediately for antibiotics. Quarantine him/her, and wash *EVERYTHING* with a clorox solution. [People should note that the veterinarian "guide" on ferrets that I have a copy of states that canine distemper is 100% fatal to ferrets. No exceptions. The article indicated that no ferrets have ever survived, regardless of medical intervention. This is *serious*.] I'll let you know more as I learn more. Personally, I'm scared to death about this. One week ago my ferrets were all piled up playing with one of the ferrets who just died... Fortunately their shots are up to date, but that doesn't necessarily make them completely immune. - Nancy Nancy Hartman CIS graduate student [log in to unmask] U. of Delaware President and founder, Delaware Valley Ferret Club Owner of Percy & Bree [Posted in FML issue 0270]