Due to an unforseen scheduling conflict with our Guest Speaker, we could not have a meeting upon Vaccinations. Instead we discussed ECE as many of our newer members were unfamiliar with what ECE is, therefore I am reprinting the last ECE article from our newsletter in June 1996. ECE is a ferret-specific disease that damages the intestinal lining with inflammation and infection. This results in diarrhea, excess mucous production, and dehydration. In severe cases, intestinal ulceration and bleeding takes place.
Blood counts remain normal.
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. Your ferrets will show symptoms in between 12 and 72 hours, if infected. So if you are visiting another ferret, adopting from a shelter, or going to a show, ASK what the ECE status is.