Dear Anonymous, Get the FAQs on ECE and see how what you read there compares with what you are encountering. Either your new one may have been a carrier, or one of the ferrets with whom you played and cuddled might have carried it or been displaying it. Of course, there are also other possible contagious intestinal illnesses and parasites which your ones could have and must also be checked for, some of which can be serious threats to health, but it was ECE which first taught owners so well that it is only considerate and logical to take precautions. Some are washing body and clothes when you get home after a store or show BEFORE you see your own ferrets, and never exposing others' ferrets to your's (or even to your possibly contaminated skin, hair, shoes, and clothes) if your family members have been sick with something contagious until you know for SURE from an exotics vet that the chances of contagion are at least pretty well non-existent (preferably totally non-existent, but with some things that can't be determined). Have your ferrets and their waste examined right away (but FIRST warn your vet so that precautions can be taken there for the safety of other ferrets), so that the fuzzies can be treated appropriately for whatever it is that they have. Give your vet the ECE FAQs. Use careful feedings with calorie and nutrient rich foods, and use Pedialyte (freeze the excess in cubes since it is good for only two days before the electrolytes drop from solution into non-usable forms). Be patient with them in relation to eating their soup; it may take a long time complete with non-stop cuddles and with a towel or two or three on your lap in case the runs happen then and there. Fortunately, we have not encountered ECE ourselves, but have had experience with a parasite and certainly have had to do these things with other illnesses. Let PATIENCE, VET CARE, SUPPORTIVE NURSING, and CAUTION for others' ferrets be your guide words now. BTW, it only makes sense for EVERYONE to get the FAQs, read them, and pass them on to vets. That teaches you, teaches your vet, and gives your vet EXCELLENT documents to help teach OTHER ferret people or those considering ferrets. Sukie [Posted in FML issue 1834]