Post by j4782 on Mar 9, 2006 13:19:02 GMT -5
Just a reminder, or information for those who haven't come across it yet, ferrets are able to catch your illnesses!
Prevention
Remember to practice good sanitation before handling your ferret(s).
1) Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 30 seconds (sing "Happy Birthday" twice while you wash). It's also more effective washing to scrub with soap out of the water before rinsing--instead of scrubbing while under the water. Also great--in a fix, they do not replace handwashing--are those alcohol-based sanitizing lotions.
2) Also, I have to write it, but when you have a runny nose, use tissues! No wiping on sleeves or handkerchiefs! As we all know, ferrets will grab or play with their mouths. Don't forget to wash your hands after wiping/blowing your nose when you're sick.
3) No coughing or sneezing on or around your ferret(s). Be aware of visitors' illnesses, too.
4) Another good practice: Quarantining new ferrets! A good practice because in addition to common illnesses, there are the more serious ferret ones such as ADV that can be passed on (see other Important Ferret Articles--ADV is incurable). Recommended time period is a minimum of 2 weeks, the longer the better.
I know everyone's becoming more aware of the bird flu danger. A recent report from CNN has confirmed that mammals (including humans and ferrets) can catch it. www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/conditions/03/09/birdflu.germany.ap/index.html But we're lucky. In this day and age of technology, vaccines can be developed (one even was made for SARS--using ferrets! www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/12_03/sars_vaccine.shtml).
What to do if your ferret gets something from a person
When ferrets contract an illness, "They develop the same symptoms, i.e., runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, cough, loss of appetite. Generally there is no need for treatment, just loving care and lots of rest for 5-7 days. However, if your ferret completely loses it's appetite, develops green/yellow eye or nose discharge or becomes depressed/lethargic, then promptly call your vet. Some viral flu infections may require supportive care or a secondary bacterial infection may develop requiring antibiotics." --http://www.knowledgeability.biz/rhjackson/ferretfacts.htm
'Loving care' usually means
1) Quarantining the sick ferret(s)--separate cage, food, water, toys, etc. as well as practicing good hygiene again, and remembering to change clothes and not use the same things around your healthy ferrets.
2) Ensuring hydration. My vet and the Everything Ferret site recommend Pedialyte, found in the baby food section of your grocery store.
3) Paying attention to how much your ferret(s) is (are) eating.
There is more great information on www.everythingferret.com/caring_for_a_sick_ferret.htm
Prevention
Remember to practice good sanitation before handling your ferret(s).
1) Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 30 seconds (sing "Happy Birthday" twice while you wash). It's also more effective washing to scrub with soap out of the water before rinsing--instead of scrubbing while under the water. Also great--in a fix, they do not replace handwashing--are those alcohol-based sanitizing lotions.
2) Also, I have to write it, but when you have a runny nose, use tissues! No wiping on sleeves or handkerchiefs! As we all know, ferrets will grab or play with their mouths. Don't forget to wash your hands after wiping/blowing your nose when you're sick.
3) No coughing or sneezing on or around your ferret(s). Be aware of visitors' illnesses, too.
4) Another good practice: Quarantining new ferrets! A good practice because in addition to common illnesses, there are the more serious ferret ones such as ADV that can be passed on (see other Important Ferret Articles--ADV is incurable). Recommended time period is a minimum of 2 weeks, the longer the better.
I know everyone's becoming more aware of the bird flu danger. A recent report from CNN has confirmed that mammals (including humans and ferrets) can catch it. www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/conditions/03/09/birdflu.germany.ap/index.html But we're lucky. In this day and age of technology, vaccines can be developed (one even was made for SARS--using ferrets! www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/12_03/sars_vaccine.shtml).
What to do if your ferret gets something from a person
When ferrets contract an illness, "They develop the same symptoms, i.e., runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, cough, loss of appetite. Generally there is no need for treatment, just loving care and lots of rest for 5-7 days. However, if your ferret completely loses it's appetite, develops green/yellow eye or nose discharge or becomes depressed/lethargic, then promptly call your vet. Some viral flu infections may require supportive care or a secondary bacterial infection may develop requiring antibiotics." --http://www.knowledgeability.biz/rhjackson/ferretfacts.htm
'Loving care' usually means
1) Quarantining the sick ferret(s)--separate cage, food, water, toys, etc. as well as practicing good hygiene again, and remembering to change clothes and not use the same things around your healthy ferrets.
2) Ensuring hydration. My vet and the Everything Ferret site recommend Pedialyte, found in the baby food section of your grocery store.
3) Paying attention to how much your ferret(s) is (are) eating.
There is more great information on www.everythingferret.com/caring_for_a_sick_ferret.htm
all my kids are doing well otter is getting real beefy feeling <winter weight?> and his coat is getting real soft not many noticeable changes overall,, new guy is getting big
Daxy is SO happy the weather is cooling off! He doesn't like the AC - it limits him to one room but when I let him go other places, he just flat ferrets cause it's too hote