Epidemic catarrhal enteritis (ECE) is a highly contagious viral infection in ferrets. You will often notice the disease in your ferret because it causes inflammation of the intestines. Older ferrets develop the most severe form of the viral infection and take the longest time to recover (approximately one month).
Symptoms and types
The viral infection damages the villi, hair-like projections on the lining of the intestine. This damage causes the intestine to lose its ability to properly digest and absorb food.
ECE causes ferrets to exhibit the following symptoms approximately 2-14 days after infection:
- Loss of appetite
- Green, watery, or mucus-filled diarrhea (green stool)
- Stool stained black with blood
- dehydration
- Fatigue (lethargy)
- Weight loss
- Weaknesses
Cause
Ferrets often catch this viral infection from other infected ferrets, or they can become infected if exposed to diseased objects such as food bowls, bedding or clothing.
diagnosis
The infection is usually diagnosed by intestinal biopsy.
process
Your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and antiviral medications to treat your ferret, and may also prescribe medications to protect the intestinal lining. In addition to medication, your ferret will also need nutritional therapy, providing fluids and a bland, easily digestible diet.
Prevention
New ferrets should be quarantined for one month before interacting with older ferrets, and good hygiene practices should be observed, including cleaning and disinfecting the ferret’s environment and washing hands after handling ferrets, to prevent the spread of ECE.
Featured Image: iStockphoto.com/Irina Vasilevskaia
