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1996-05-27
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Please note: I am not a ferret expert, and I did not write, nor did I
independently verify, all the information in this file. I have done
my best to include only accurate and useful information, but I cannot
guarantee that what is contained in this file, whether written by me
or by one of the contributors, is correct, or even that following the
advice herein won't be harmful to you or your ferret in some way. For
advice from an expert, you may wish to consult one of several books
available, or, especially in the case of a suspected medical problem,
a veterinarian who is familiar with the treatment of ferrets.
FERRET MEDICAL FAQ -- EPIZOOTIC CATARRHAL ENTERITIS (GREEN MYSTERY VIRUS)
Last modified: 3 May 96
Version: 1.6
------------------------------
Subject: CONTENTS
*** Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (Green Mystery Virus) ***
(1) What is ECE?
(2) Comment on ECE (Dr. Brown, Aug 95)
(3) More on Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (Dr. Williams, May 95)
(4) Green Diarrhea Research Update (Dr. Williams, Feb 95)
(5) The Latest on the Green Diarrhea Virus (Dr. Williams, Oct 94)
(6) Treatment and precautions
(7) Ferret Medical FAQ copyright and redistribution information
------------------------------
Subject: (1) What is ECE?
In early 1994 or so, a mysterious disease cropped up among ferrets and
spread quickly, particularly in the show circuit. It was originally
called "the greenies," but its official name is "epizootic catarrhal
enteritis (of ferrets)". ("Epizootic" refers to a disease which is
epidemic in animals, "catarrhal" means it's an inflammation of a
mucous membrane, and "enteritis" means it affects the intestine.) It
is characterized by the sudden onset of bright green or yellowish
diarrhea. (Note, however, that the green color just means that the
food spent a very short time in the ferret's digestive tract. Ferrets
do get diarrhea for other reasons, and a single day of soft greenish
stool is not something to panic about.) No specific cause has been
positively identified; it might not even be a virus. Ferrets who have
had the disease remain carriers for some time afterward -- nobody's
quite sure how long, but the best estimate is now six months, maybe
longer. See the following sections for more information.
------------------------------
Subject: (2) Comment on ECE (Dr. Brown)
Excerpted from Dr. Susan Brown's "Ask the Doctor" column in "Off the
Paw," the newsletter of the Greater Chicago Ferret Association, August
1995:
I spoke to Dr. Williams at great length about our experience and my
thoughts on the disease and here is what I can tell you: The disease
in question is an enteritis, or inflammation/infection of the
intestine. It damages the mucosa (the delicate intestinal lining
which is instrumental in absorbing nutrients and water into the body)
resulting in diarrhea and excess mucous production. In severe cases
there may be deep ulcerations and bleeding into the intestinal lumen.
Stools can range from bright green, loose and slimy to dark red, black
and tarry. Dr. Williams has seen the lining of the intestine remain
abnormal for up to one year after the ferret initially showed signs of
the disease. The cause is as yet unknown, but Dr. Williams, who has
a great deal of experience looking microscopically at tissues affected
by this problem, feels strongly that it may be a corona or rota virus.
The virus can be transmitted by infected fluids from the body. It can
be spread through the air on tiny fluid particles or by direct contact
with an infected ferret. The incubation period, according to Dr.
Williams, is about 2 days and he feels there can be carrier animals
for at least 4 months after the initial onset of disease. Carriers
are those ferrets that have survived the disease and appear healthy
but are shedding the virus in their stools and are therefore still
infective to other ferrets.
The disease has a very high morbidity (number of animals affected by it) but
a very low mortality (those that die as a result of infection). Ferrets do
not die from the disease directly, but from a combination of factors that
may have been exacerbated by the infection. In a multi-ferret household,
once it enters it will affect nearly 100% of the population regardless of
how sanitary the conditions are. With careful monitoring of sick animals an
appropriate treatment, the mortality may be 0 to 2%.
In ferrets under three years of age, that have no other major health
problems, the disease is fairly swift, causing only a few days of
slimy green stool and then it is gone. Most of the youngsters do not
need any medications, but one should watch closely to see that they
are eating, drinking and urinating. If a ferret stops eating, becomes
lethargic or dehydrated, then it may be necessary to give fluids
either by mouth or underthe skin by injection. Some ferrets benefit
from a more bland diet until the stools form again, such as meat type
baby food, or Science Diet AD. We sometimes give antibiotics to
prevent secondary bacterial infections. It may also be helpful to use
an intestinal coating agent such as Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate (1-2cc
two to three times daily) to coat the intestinal tract and soothe
potentially ulcerated areas. There are a variety of other herbal and
homeopathic remedies that have been tried. None have had consistent
reproducible success, but if you would like to try any remedies,
please consult your veterinarian first. Some products, such as
vitamin C may actually make the problem worse because it is very
irritating to the intestinal lining in the presence of inflammation.
The older ferrets, that likely have concurrent health problems such as
lymphoma, insulinoma, adrenal disease, heart or kidney disease, may be
more seriously affected. Although the percentage of animals that
actually die even in this age group is very small, the disease can
take a much longer time to resolve. Older ferrets are more likely to
become dehydrated and develop bleeding intestinal ulcers. We treated
one ferret successfully with multiple blood transfusions because her
red blood cell count dropped dangerously low from intestinal bleeding.
These patients need more intensive nursing care and have to be watched
very carefully. Of course one will need to stay on top of all the
other diseases that may be present and potentially weakening the pets
immune system.
There is another part to this disease that we have observed over the
last few months and it has only been in the older ferret. We have
seen a number of ferrets over three years of age, usually with other
serious health problems, who successfully survive the diarrhea, only
to lose significant amounts of weight up to three weeks later. In my
discussion with Dr. Williams, he concurred that this was a problem of
absorption of nutrients from the intestinal lining. As mentioned, the
intestinal mucosa may continue to be abnormal for up to a year after
the initial infection. These animals have good appetites and normal
stools, but can't seem to keep the weight on. Each pet has to be
evaluated individually, but one may be able to keep the weight from
dropping by adding more fat to the diet, such as whipping cream or
eggyolk along with supplemental feedings of ferret or high quality cat
food. (Do NOT use dairy products when the ferret is experiencing
diarrhea, as it may make the problem worse.) Using high carbohydrate
foods doesn't seem to work. Ferrets use fat more efficiently for
energy than carbohydrates, so in a wasting situation, it is likely
more effective to increase the fat content ofthe diet. Be careful
about increasing the protein content (overuse of eggs) because some of
these older ferrets have underlying kidney disease which will worsen
in the presence of excess protein. Dr. Williams suggested that in
some cases, the use of corticosteroids may aid in keeping the weight
on because it may suppress the ongoing intestinal inflammation.
Please use such drugs only under the supervision of your veterinarian.
-----