Ferret Footnotes - June 1998

June Meeting Topic

Aleutians Disease

Although Aleutians disease (AD) isn't a common illness in ferrets (unlike in the commercial mink industry), it is a disease that can be fatal to ferrets.

What is it?

It is not a quick disease (lasting up to two years, in most cases) and is almost 100% fatal when the ferret develops AD. Some ferrets, while testing positive for AD antibodies will not go on to develop full blown AD. Unfortunately, these ferrets usually end up being a carrier for the disease and can spread it to other ferrets. Aleutians disease is very contagious and has seen an increase across the United States; states such as Texas, Michigan, and Oklahoma have experienced confirmed cases of AD. Fortunately, there have been no known cases of AD in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

How the disease is spread is unknown, although there is strong indications linking urine exposure as an agent for contamination. In Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, by James G. Fox, he reports the findings of Donovan, B.T., Matson C., and Kilpatrick, M.J.:

"Transmission of the virus from ferret to ferret or from ferret to mink (or to other susceptible hosts) could occur by contact with the handler's gloves or apparatus, because urine as well as other bodily fluids contain the virus."

Ironically Aleutians disease appears to work opposite of ECE in the fact that a older animal tends to handle the disease better than a younger ferret.

What the vets know: (from Dr. Bruce Williams, DVM)

Aleutians disease is caused by the same parvovirus that causes Aleutians disease in mink, however, the disease is quite different between these two species. In mink, AD results in rapidly life-threatening immune-mediated glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, and hypergam-maglobulinemia. In ferrets, there are notable similarities, including a hypergammaglobulinemia, and in late stages of the disease, an immune complex glomerulonephritis; however, the disease is much more insidious, with a progression of as long as 2 years. Ferrets in the late stages of disease will be hyperproteinemic (8-9 mg/di, with >20% of this total being comprised of gammaglobulins. Serologic testing is available through United Vaccines (Madison, WI) or the Research Animal Diagnostic Laboratory in the Department of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Gross lesions: Gross lesions are seen only late in the course of disease. Splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy are the most common gross lesions with this disease; splenic infarction as a result of marked spienomegaly may complicate the clinical and pathologic picture. Enlarged, brown-tan kidneys may be present. In terminal cases, clotting abnormalities resulting from vasculitis and the marked hypergam-maglobulinemia may result in petechial hemorrhage and hematuria.

Microscopic lesions: Several characteristic microscopic findings are seen in ferret AD as well as in the mink disease. Prominent plasmacytic infiltrates are seen in numerous organs, most prominently in the renal interstitium, hepatic portal areas, and in the splenic red pulp, where an almost pure population of plasma cells expands the red pulp. Additionally, there may be marked plasmacytosis of numerous lymph nodes and the bone marrow. In most cases, there will be marked membranous glomerulonephritis and numerous ectatic protein-filled tubules as a result. (Note: Glomerulosclerosis is commonly seen in chronic interstitial nephritis in this species - but there is little evidence of tubular protein casts or plasmacytic infiltrate in uncomplicated CIN). Vasculitis may be seen in almost any organ.

Treatment: None. Dietary manipulation may yield some benefit in animals in renal failure, however, it should be remembered that infected animals will shed virus in urine and serve as a source of infection for other ferrets.

After Exposure

Sadly if your ferret develops Aleutians Disease there will be no cure for it. The only thing you and your vet can do is supportive therapy to make your ferret more comfortable during this time. If you are like the average ferret owner and have more than one ferret, you will need to have all your ferrets tested for AD. Remember it is highly contagious for ferrets.

It is not recommended to introduce new ferrets to the home/environment while ferrets are alive with AD. It is unknown as to the incubation period of Aleutians Disease, so it is unknown how long a house will need to be free of ferrets to ensure that AD will not be passed to new ferrets. It is suggested that the flooring be removed in the house, with the underflooring being sanitized and disinfected, and recarpeted or lamenated. In the areas that the ferrets will be kept it is also recommended to disinfect the room to ensure that all the virus cells have been eradicated.

All ferret apparatus (like cages, toys, ESPECIALLY litterboxes) should be heavily disinfected (if not thrown away-please disinfect prior to throwing away to help prevent any accidental exposure). While Aleutians Disease is a killer, it is possible to reintroduce ferrets into your life after a period of time (contact your vet for specific recommended times).

is proud to announce that it is now carrying:

TOTALLY FERRET®

817-683-6363

Special Pricing for Club Members

Get Your Heads Out Of Your Shoes!

We need volunteers to help with Club Activities! To help call the Info. Line: (Metro) 817 498-1470

Events

NORTH TEXAS HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW

"Matthew aka Krazy Kritter"

<krazykritter@kozykingdom.com>

On September 11th, 12th and 13th the Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas again has another excellent opportunity to help educate the public and raise awareness with regards to the ferret. During the last Home Improvement Show booth, donated by Texas Shows, held at the Dallas County Convention center, we educated a lot of people on the legalization issue alone. This is an excellent opportunity to pass out information and make the club more widely known throughout the Metroplex. All volunteers receive admission into the show a $7 value, FREE. The show is held from Friday 3 - 7, Saturday 10-7, Sunday 10-6. We also need volunteers to help set up and tear down our booth. Volunteer an hour or two, you do not need to spend the entire day. For more information or questions call Matthew Stevens 972-320-8301 krazykritter@kozykingdom.com or Chris Snoberger 972-255-7574 snobergc@aetna.com

FFRS WISH LIST

The shelter also needs donations of the following supplies: paper towels, bleach, litter, hairball medication, vaccines, food (Iams kitten or Totally Ferret), and other medications. You can also help by sponsoring or fostering a needy ferret. Donations can be made directly to the FFRS vet account at the Bowen Rd. Animal Clinic. Check out the new web site for the Ferrets First Rescue and Shelter at http://www.flash.net/~ffrs

Please help if you can. If you wish to make a donation, become a sponsor, or request an adoption application packet, please contact shelter director Patricia Curtis at metro (817)596-0558. Or at ffrs@flash.net

Cover Ferret

THOR THOMASON

Thor is our "dumb jock" personality. His brindled coat and some light markings on his face lend him a surprised expression anyway, but he looks doubly so whenever he does something foolish that comes back to haunt him!

Thor is 5 years old. He was bred by an individual in the Independence, MO area. Here he attempts to take the feather toy away from Sierra. His favorite comments are, "Duh..." and "I have teef!" as he favors getting your attention by pinching tender spots with his teeth.

Ferrets First Rescue & Shelter Address Change

Ferrets First Rescue & Shelter has a new address!! Please put this down in your address books (the paper kind :P) for future referrence. You may send all correspondence, and any donations to this address:

PO Box 236
Weatherford, Texas 76086

Phone and everything else stays the same. (Note the new zip code.)
Please refer all correspondence to the above address.
Thank You

My philosophy is no ferret is unadoptable. Those ferrets with special needs only makes them that much more special and with education, every family willing to make the commitment can adopt even the neediest of ferrets. With that let me introduce the current residences at Kozy Kingdom . . .

First there is Cara Mia, a Canadian bred and born ferret, who is a champaign point. She's approximately six months old. She is very playful and full of spirit.

Lastly, there is Babu, a Marshal Farms' ferret, who was born the first week of February 1998. He's unique in that only one foot isn't a mitt. Babu like Cara Mia, is a kisser and he especially will indulge you in a short cuddle session.

If you know of a ferret in need, call 972-320-8301. If you know of a deserving family tell them to send a self addressed stamped business envelope to:

Kozy Kingdom Halfway House
& Ferret Rescue
P.O. Box 201013
Arlington, TX 76006-1013

to receive an adoption packet or be looking for a complete application which will be available online. Kozy Kingdom intends to uphold a thorough screening process so that each and every ferret placed is in the right home for that ferret, and also for that family. Please be aware that Kozy Kingdom does have a mild strain of the ECE virus and all ferrets adopted out from Kozy Kingdom carry that virus.

Congrats to Annette and Zach Grant of Kennedale, the proud new owners of Kitten.

Legalization

FORT WORTH FERRET FRIENDLY!

Debra Thomason <ferret@innocent.com>

President, Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas

I'm *very* pleased to report to you that the city council of Fort Worth approved the ordinance revising the animal code unanimously! James Ageymang, director of animal control says that it will be effective as soon as the mayor signs it and it is published. I will keep in touch with the city secretary and animal control to let you know as soon as licenses are available for ferrets. I am really tremendously excited! Those who drafted the ordinance were of such a mindset that ferrets would be treated like cats and dogs that they had to be reminded to include ferrets in the language at several points! Though Animal Control was drafting this ordinance before the 1998 Compendium came out, the Compendium and Texas Department of Health's June 19th adoption of it's 10 day quarantine were instrumental in the smooth passage of the ordinance.

The new code will include the following language that specifically pertains to ferrets:

Section 6-1, Definitions:

"Domestic Animal: Includes livestock, cage or penned fowl other than animals belonging to the class aves, order Falconiforms and subdivision Raptae, normal household pets, such as but not limited to dogs, cats, cockatiels, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, fish or small, nonpoisonous reptiles or nonpoisonous snakes."

"Prohibited animal:

(1) Any animal not normally born and raised in captivity, including but not limited to the following:

c. Class Mammalia: Order Carnivores,

3. Family Mustelida[sic] (such as weasels, skunks, martins, minks, badgers and otters) except ferrets;

(2) Does not include livestock, fowl or normal household pets, such as but not limited to dogs, cats, cockatiels, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, fish or small, nonpoisonous reptiles, or nonpoisonous snakes."

"Quarantine: To take into custody and place in confinement as defined in this chapter isolated from human beings and other animals in such a way as to preclude the possibility of disease transmission. The quarantine period for a dog, cat, or a domestic ferret in rabies quarantine is ten (10) days from the date of the bite, scratch, or other exposure, or as recommended by the regional veterinarian from the Texas Department of Health."

Section 6-42, Domestic Animals that exhibit rabies symptoms; bite, scratch; quarantine

"(a) When a domestic dog, cat, or ferret which has rabies or symptoms which could reasonably indicate rabies or symptoms which could reasonably indicate rabies, or that bites, scratches or otherwise creates a condition which may expose or transmit to any human being or animal shall be

immediately impounded as provided in section 6-43 and shall be held in quarantine in the city a minimum period of ten (10) days for a dog, cat, or domestic ferret from the date of the bite, scratch or when the condition which may have exposed or transmitted the rabies virus to a human being occurred, or longer as the local rabies control authority may deem necessary."

Conditions for home quarantine approval follow. Among others, animal must have been current on rabies vaccination and wearing tag for license and rabies shot. Too long to type it all here.

Section 6-43, Impoundment; notice; disposition

"(a) Animals may be impounded by the animal control manager under any of the following circumstances when:

(2) a dog, cat, ferret or miniature swine does not wear or have a valid city license tag affixed to its collar and said animal is not being used currently in a research program at the owner's institute of higher education which is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care"

There are many more, but this is the one specifically mentioning ferrets.

The code does *not* include limits on how many ferrets many be owned as it does for cats and dogs.

There are other sections that apply to ferrets because they apply to animals in general, but I will not type them all out here. The whole proposal was 34 pages long. There is also a license fee addendum. The fees to license ferrets are $7 for neutered animals, $12 for unneutered and require proof of rabies vaccination. They also list a fee of $40 to adopt a ferret from the city shelter.

This is very good news for ferrets in the metroplex as well as Fort Worth. With one large city down it should help us tackle other smaller cities more easily and give us leverage against large cities such as Dallas. Congratulations to all you soon to be licensed ferret owners!

Debra

Officers Notes

CHRIS SNOBERGER

Show Coordinator/Merchandising, Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas

My first two ferrets came to me through the rescue organization I'm involved with. I volunteered to foster them and they immediately stole my heart - they never ended up going to an adopt-a-pet. Ferret math has affected me ever since. I am now owned by 17 woozels. All have been rescues.

I got involved with the FLC in May 1996 - shortly after my first two ferrets entered my life. And have been involved ever since. Now, I have accepted the position as the Show and Merchandise Coordinator. For the fall, we will have a VERY busy schedule. There are two shows in September, Sept 11-13 is the Home Improvement show and Sept 26th we host the Ferret Olympics. Then in October, we are participating in the Animal Rescue League's Adopt-a-thon. I will need help at all of these events, so let me know if you can help!

The Ferret Olympics is a funfilled day for ferrets and those owned by ferrets. It is also our big fundraising event for the year. It will be held Sept 26th from 2:00 - 7:00 (Check-in for Earlier Entries begins at Noon) at the Grand Prairie Community Center on . Events include: Maze Race, Tube Race (straight), Longest Kisser, Littlest Female, Largest Male, Best Trick, Best-Dressed Ferret Costume, Yawning, Paper Sack Escape, Best Weasel War Dance, Cup Tip, and NEW the Obstacle Tube Race. There will also be many items for raffle - both for ferrets and their people.

We are needing items to raffle off at the Olympics. Please contact the FLC at Metro 817 498 1470 for donations. All raffle contributors will be listed in the Show Catalog.

Ferret Fun Facts....

From Cassell Dictionary of Superstitions, by David Pickering, page 102 (published by A Cassell Book, 1995).

Ferret Though not the best-loved of animals (excuse me?), the ferret does have the redeeming feature of being able to cure whooping cough, according to ancient English and Irish tradition. The procedure recommended is to let a ferret drink from a bowl of milk and then to feed the remainder to the patient. (See Mom, it's good for me to drink from your glass! Now give me some Soda!)

Edited by Romeo

If you have Ferret Fun Facts, please send them to Romeo at Publications@texasferret.org.

Ferret Olympics1996

The First Ferret Olympics

These photos are from the very First Ferret Olympics that the club sponsored. Although the next two Olympics were not held in the same location, these show what it is all about. Fun and showing off our talented fuzzies.

	(Left) A ferret shows the rewards for all it's hard work.		As Dr. Kendrick shows, fatigue is a common feeling about halfway through the show for the volunteers. Even some of the ferrets demonstrate how much it takes out of one to competite in the Olympics.
	(Left) (R-L) Blanca, Linda Davis, and another winner stand for pictures. They are first, second and third place contestants in an event.		(Right) Patty Isrealson and her famous kisser show off their winnings at her exhibitor boo
	(Right) Patty Isrealson and another contestant competite in one of the most loved events, the longest kisser.		(Left) Give me my Royal Treat & Nap! Even royalty gets a bit overwhelmed at the intensity of the Olympics. This darling ferret was a contestant in the famous costume contest. The costome contest is always a big crowd draw.

Club Issues

CLUB GETS ITS OWN DOMAIN NAME & NEW MAILING LIST

"Karen Farrow" <kali8@airmail.net>

Publications

Soon the Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas' Website will be moving to a new server and the Mailing List will be moved also to that server. This move, while viewed as painful for most members, will be benefital to the club. For the first time in our Web existence, we will be able to have tighter control over our Website, as well as the Mailing List. And by acquiring our own domain name, if we find it necessary to move again to a new server, our Web address will not change, therefore making it almost impossible to notice when we move from server to server.

Hopefully in the next two weeks the new Website will be active. Our new Website address will be http://www.texasferret.org. The layout of the page will remain the same with the exceptions of some new links for the Ferret Olympics and other events the club will be adding in the future.

The Mailing List will become ferret@texasferret.org. By moving to this address it will add consistency as well as allow us to start "personal" email boxes for officers, information, and shows. For instance: the President of the Club will have an email address of president@texasferret.org, the Secretary will be secretary@texasferret.org, and so forth for each officer and/or club function. Matthew Stevens will assume the position of Online Mailing List Coordinator and will take the existing Mailing List to ferret@texasferret.org.

If you are currently on the mailing list, you will be transferred to the new list, so that there will be no stopping of messages. In case of any problems (like you can not send to the Mailer) please email Matthew at ferret-owner-request@texasferret.org.

More information on subscribing to the newsletter, as well as some of the benefits of moving it, will follow in the next newsletter.

Remember our new site will not be up for about two weeks, until that time you can still access or Website at www.unicorn.us. com/ferret. The Mailer should become active at that time, as well.

"Let's see, Mom said I was on this thing somewhere. I wonder what a bookmark is..."Thor Thomason explores the Web of the Internet (that is IF he can find the ON button).