Ferret Footnotes

Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas
Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter

JUNE 1996 Ferret Footnotes - June 1996

WELCOME!
Greetings from The Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas
Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter

The DFW Chapter of the Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas (FLC) is now requesting annual dues from members, and a fee to cover postage/printing for a mailed newsletter. We hope you will want to become an active participant in the club.

Mission: The club has several missions: (1) information dissemination to the public, officials, and potential ferret owners at pet stores, feed stores, veterinary clinics, and other sites; (2) working toward legalization of ferrets in specific cities and townships in Tarrant and Dallas counties as well as the state of Texas; (3) support of ferret shelters; (4) availability of ferret "fun matches" and shows, and (5) provision of an educational, informational, and social environment for ferret owners to exchange information about ferret ownership, health care, and other issues.

Change in HSUS Policy Toward Ferrets!
The May newsletter could not do justice to the late-breaking news about the HSUS policy change due to space and time limitations, and could not sufficiently recognize the hard work of the many key people who made this important change possible: Howard Davis, Humane Affairs Editor of the Independent Voice (League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts), Chere McCoy (Ferret Friends Disaster Response International), Jeanne and Floyd Carley (California Domestic Ferret Association), Troy Lynn Eckart, Stephanie and Rick Sheme, Pam Grant (Shelters That Adopt &;Rescue Ferrets), and Martha Armstrong (Humane Society of the United States).
FLC-TX is proud to be affiliated with the national organization L.I.F.E. Howard and Ann Davis of L.I.F.E. have generously donated extra printing and postage to send FLC-TX members the Victory Edition of the Independent Voice, which fully covers the detail of the HSUS "Ferret Bill of Rights." THANK YOU!!! Look for this important news in your mailbox!

Plano Legalization Campaign
ALL EYES ARE ON PLANO! It is extremely important that we have outstanding representation in getting ferrets to be legal in Plano; many other cities are waiting to see what Plano will do, before they will consider their own changes. As of this newsletter printing we have only tentative dates, but these will be firmed up quickly - check the web page, dfw-ferret mailing list, or the FLC-TX hotline (metro 817-498-1470) for the latest breaking information.
At this time, Patty Israelson is has a Thursday 6/13 meeting scheduled with Plano City Council members to see if we can speak at the June 24th City Council Meeting. If so, the meeting is at 7:00 p.m. (although ferret issues may not occur until 9:00 p.m.). If not, there is the possibility of being scheduled at the July 8 meeting. Again, check for the latest update, and plan to attend, and get your veterinarian to attend! Even if you are not from Plano, this meeting will affect you!

Texas Department of Health Rabies Law Change
The commentary period for the proposed law change was officially over on June 7. Thanks to everyone who wrote in! The vote on the law should take place at the end of June, but no date has been set as of this printing.

JUNE MEETING
Discussion Topic: Ferret Health and ECE
"The Greenies"

The Discussion Topic for the June meeting was ECE, (officially, "epizootic catarrhal enteritis"), also known as the "greenies," "green slime disease," or "green mystery virus."

What is it? ECE is a ferret-specific disease that damages the intestinal lining with inflammation and infection. When the intestinal lining (or "mucosa") is damaged, the ferret has difficulty absorbing nutrients and water into the body. This results in diarrhea, excess mucous production, and dehydration. In severe cases, intestinal ulceration and bleeding takes place. ECE has just this week been definitively identified as a VIRUS, not a bacterial infection.

What are the symptoms? ECE is characterized by the sudden onset of profuse, watery, bright green diarrhea (although the diarrhea can also be other shades of green or yellow). It is often accompanied by vomiting (in early stages of the disease), lethargy, refusal to eat or drink, or diminished eating/drinking. Blood counts remain normal.

How does a ferret get ECE? The virus is transmitted by infected body fluids and can be spread through the air or on clothing on tiny fluid particles or by contact with an infected ferret. It is highly contagious. You could carry ECE home with you from a petstore, vet clinic, etc. and not know it. Your ferrets will show symptoms in between 12 and 72 hours, if infected. Even a healthy-looking ferret can be a carrier -- it is now estimated that a ferret who had ECE can "shed" the virus for at least 12 months (research continues to see if this period is longer). So if your ferret has had ECE, keep in mind that your ferret can infect others for a year (or possibly more). So if you are visiting another ferret, adopting from a shelter, or going to a show, ASK what the ECE status is.

Is my ferret in danger? ECE has appeared and spread throughout the East Coast, Southwestern, and Western United States. Texas has been affected; in fact, about 1/3 of club members have been hit with the virus, as well as both FLC TX affiliate shelters. The younger your ferret is, the fewer the symptoms and the shorter the duration of the disease. If treated properly, the fatality rate is less than 5%, and those fatalities are typically older (over 5 years) ferrets who also have other problems such as adrenal problems, insulinoma, etc. If your ferret is younger, healthy, and fat, there is less risk, as long as treatment is immediate. If treatment is not immediate, ferrets can die of dehydration. Through the course of the disease, ferrets can also develop secondary infections, which should also be treated.

What is the treatment?
1.HYDRATION. The ferret needs to be hydrated constantly. Give electrolytes (such as unflavored Pedialyte, or Lemon-Ice Gatorade) along with water - between 60-100 cc's per day. Check water/fluid consumption by marking a water bottle, or orally administering the fluid with an oral syringe and keeping records. They key is to keep this up constantly, such as 10 cc's every few hours throughout the day and night. In severe cases, a veterinarian may have to administer fluids intravenously.
2.ANTIBIOTICS. See a vet immediately to be put on an antibiotic to prevent secondary infections. The antibiotic does not kill the ECE virus, but prevents dangerous secondary infections that do occur. This is usually amoxycillin (10-20 mg/lb twice daily).
3.NUTRITION. Because the ferret has difficulty absorbing nutrients, and may refuse to eat, it is important to get as much nutrition into the ferret as possible. Use supplements such as Nutrical, Sustacal, or Deliver. See attached recipes for "Duck Soup" and other semi-liquid mixtures, which may have to be force-fed through an oral syringe. Again, throughout the day, a minimum of 100 cc's of food is needed. Do NOT count this liquid food as part of the water/electrolyte liquid requirement in the hydration section.
5.OTHER MEDICINE. Some people advocate the administration of PeptoBismol or Kaopectate to help coat and protect the intestines and make food ingestions more comfortable. Cat doses apply.
4.ENVIRONMENT. Keep the ferret warm and dry (but do not leave a ferret on a heating pad unattended!). Try and keep the ferret quiet, away from noise and commotion, and out of bright lights.

How long does it last? This depends on the health condition, age, weight, and personality of the ferret. Kits show few, if any symptoms, for a few hours. Ferrets under two years may have mild symptoms for 1-3 days. As long as they are eating, drinking, and urinating, no additional treatment may be necessary. The normal course of symptoms seem to be one to three weeks, although there are reports of some going as long as two months. Once the ferret recovers from the severe symptoms, the ferret may experience seedy or poorly formed stools, inability to gain weight, hind-leg weakness, or lethargy, for several months. Remember that after "recovery," your ferret still carries the virus and can expose others. However, once a ferret has ECE, the ferret builds up an immunity and is not likely to show severe symptoms again.

What can I do to control this? If your ferrets have not had ECE, you can avoid other ferret households, shows, meetings, shelters, petstores, or other "ferret congregations." Because this may be an unrealistic restriction, you can take some precautions. When coming home from an exposed location, remove your clothes and shoes in the garage, and place them in a plastic bag. Spray your hands and feet with Nolvasan, or other disinfectant, and then enter your house. Immediately take a shower. Wash your clothes in hot water, and wash or disinfect your shoes. (Another recommended disinfectant is bleach). This method has proven successful for many. Similarly, if you are infected and are going to visit another ferret place, shower, put on clean clothes straight from the dryer, and spray your hands and shoes with Nolvasan, or other disinfectant, after you leave the house. Also inform you vet, so the facilities can be disinfected properly.

Don't Panic! ECE can be a serious disease if you are uninformed. If you think your ferret has ECE, take him/her to the vet immediately. However, keep in mind that green diarrhea can come from a number of other sources as well: stress, sudden food changes, intestinal lymphosarcoma, coccidiosis, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Don't panic over one green poop, but keep an eye on your ferret and have your vet evaluate stool samples or dehydration levels.

Acknowledgements: Many thanks for the input from Patricia Curtis, Patty Israelson, Kathy Lucy, Dr. Roger Kendrick, Pam Greene's FAQ, L.I.F.E, Dr. Susan Brown, Dr. Bruce Williams, and the FML.

DUCK SOUP (from Ann Davis)

One can Sustacal (8 oz) by Mead Johnson
One can (8 oz.) water
Two Scoops KMR Kitten Weaning Formula or KMR kitten milk replacement (by Pet Ag, available at 1-800 JEFFERS)
4 oz. Pro Plan Growth Formula (or other high-quality dry ferret food) soaked in enough water to cover and soften completely.
Mix thoroughly, microwave until the temperature of baby formula, and serve 4 fluid ounces at a time. Use in 48 hours if refrigerated; otherwise freeze.


TIMMY'S RECIPE (from Gary Holowicki, garyh@indirect.com, 602-921-7080, 800-209-1071, and Timmy the "miracle ferret")

2 jars (4oz.ea.) Earth's Best organic Turkey Vegetable baby food (800-442-4221).
2 jars Gerber's Turkey Rice (all Gerber's is OK in a pinch)
2 tsp. Ferratone or organic flax seed oil
1/8 tsp. powdered garlic, to taste. (NOT garlic salt!)
6-8 cc Pet Tinic liquid vitamins (Almost any vet, or Colorado Animal
Health or Omaha Vaccine)
4 cc 500ppm Colloidal Silver (Silver Wings co., 800-952-4787)
1/2 to 1 tsp. of Nupro's electrolyte powder labeled for dogs (800-360-3300).
1/4 tsp. fine grain Kelp powder, Norwegian or Atlantic are high quality.
1-2 tsp. Greens+, by Orange Peal enterprises, 2183 Ponce DeLeon Circle, Vero Beach, Fl. 32960, 800-643-1210.
To feed I use a 35cc feeder syringe, also known as a catheter tip, that has a larger opening. I get mine from Colorado Animal Health, 800-235-2636, in Longmont, Co. My other 7 lap it up from a bowl. Feed as much as they will eat, every 2 hours or so if sick &;not eating on their own. I consult a vet with herbal experience, as well as certified DVM. Prayer has been proven to help by studies at Harvard by Dr. Dossey, as if most of us needed "proof." I will help locate or send any supplements you might not be able to get locally. I've been doing that for almost a year now, and consider it just part of my ministry. "We're all in this together."

Other ingredients for your own recipes: Deliver 2.0 (order from Walmart or FLC-TX member Jemila Chrisawn @ (214) 261-0188), Colloidal Silver or CoQ10 (both improve immune systems), Viraplex, or Super Blue Green Algae (from FLC-TX member Paul Buechler @ (214) 412-7221).

If you have further questions about recipes, contact the FLC telephone hotline at metro (817) 498-1470 or either of our affiliate shelters (p. 3).

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