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Viral diseases
Epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE)
ECE, a viral disease that first appeared in the northeastern US in 1994, is an
inflammation of the mucous membranes in the intestine. The disease manifests
itself as severe diarrhea (often of a bright green color), loss of appetite, and
severe weight loss. The virus can be passed via fluids and indirectly between
humans. Although it was often fatal when first discovered, ECE is less of a
threat nowadays with the right supportive care which usually includes
hospitalization with intravenous fluids. The virus is especially threatening to
older ferrets and requires immediate attention.
Aleutian disease virus (ADV)
Aleutian Disease Virus (ADV) is a parvovirus discovered among mink in the
Aleutian Islands in the early 20th century. In ferrets, the virus affects the
immune system (causing it to produce non-neutralizing antibodies) and many
internal organs, particularly the kidneys. There is no cure or vaccine for the
disease, and ferrets may carry the virus for months or years without any
external symptoms. As a result, some ferret organizations and shelters recommend
that owners test their pets for the virus regularly, separating them from other
ferrets if they test positive.
Canine distemper
Canine distemper (CD) is an extremely contagious virus that is almost always
fatal. Being strict indoor pets does not necessarily protect ferrets, as owners
may bring the virus home on their clothes or their shoes. The only protection
against the virus is vaccination, but that is not without controversy as there
have been reports, particularly from the USA, of ferrets going into anaphylactic
shock after being vaccinated against CD.
Waardenburg-like coloring
Ferrets with a white stripe on their face or a fully white head, primarily
blazes, badgers, and pandas, almost certainly carry a congenital defect which
shares some similarities to Waardenburg syndrome. This causes, among other
things, a cranial deformation in the womb which broadens the skull, causing the
white face markings but also partial or total deafness. It is estimated as many
as 75% of ferrets with these Waardenburg-like colorings are deaf. Beyond that,
the cranial deformation also causes a higher instance of stillborn ferret kits,
and occasionally cleft palates. Because of this, many breeders will not breed
Waardenburg-patterned ferrets.
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