canine distemper in newcastle

[AndyKelly 251]

i am in close contact with north east ferret rescue and unfortunately i have to write this

 

a ferret that came into the rescue has managed to carry the canine distemper virus in with them

 

i am writing this primarily for the owners of ferrets around the area to be extra vigilant whilst caring for there ferrets.

 

we have hoped beyond hope for the last few days that it is not what it seemed but the autopsy report has just come back from a ferret called kenneth and confirmed that it is defiantly canine distemper.

 

 

You may notice the following symptoms if your ferret has contracted canine distemper:

• Discharge from eyes - generally foul smelling, yellow or green
  
• Swelling, rashes and thick brown crusts on the chin, lips, and nose
  
• Severe lethargy
  
• High fever
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Drooling
  
• Dehydration
  
• Coughing
  
• Hardened, thick paw pads and swollen feet
  
• Crusting and redness in the abdominal and anal areas
  
• Muscular tremors
  
• Seizures
  
• Vomiting and diarrhea may occur, but are less common than in dogs with distemper
  
• Coma
  

please guys be extra vigilant especially round the newcastle area regards andy

[Jamie m 668]

It's allways ferret rescues ????? Ask the long standing working ferret people on here how many times they've had distemper in there ferts ,

[irish stevie 32]

Well done Andy,for puttin this up any chance gettin this thread pinned..

[AndyKelly 251]

jamie - can you not ask yourself where these rescue ferrets come from? they are picked up in fields and local areas as escapees or simple abandonment's if people didnt 'lose' their ferrets in the wild then they would run less of a risk of contracting distemper out in the field. a ';pet' ferret is usually at a lot lower risk of canine distemper than a working ferret as the pet ferrets do not go out near foxes. most pet ferret owners do vaccinate against cd virus . we do not wish to dictate only make people aware that whilst out in the field an unprotected ferret at this moment in time around the newcastle area is running a higher risk that normal of contracting this fatal disease. basically if a rabbit warren is near a fox warren walk away and go somewhere safe to ferret

[Jamie m 668]

Foxes in the garden every night . Not having a pop just pointing out its allwAys the fuzzy brigade with distemper , this case could be different , touch wood no distemper here,

[happyferret123 13]

Sorry to hear that. Poor Kenneth.

I wish vets didn't charge so much for the vaccine. Phoned the vets today to see how much they were charging for CD vaccine and found out £40 a ferret if it was £5 a ferret then I would get it but I just don't have that sort of money. I always just go with trying to keep them safe by always changing clothes if an unknown dog touches me, wash my hands before handling them, things like that but it's so sad to see so many ferrets in rescues being put down due to this horrible disease. I'm keeping my fingers crossed all the other ferrets at that rescue make it if they have had the vaccine.

[AndyKelly 251]

what vets dont tell you is that the cd vacine comes in a vial that does four ferrets. the vets up here does 1 ferret for £30.70 or 4 ferrets for £30.70 if you dont ask they will not tell you!

[Kay 3,709]

jamie - can you not ask yourself where these rescue ferrets come from? they are picked up in fields and local areas as escapees or simple abandonment's if people didnt 'lose' their ferrets in the wild then they would run less of a risk of contracting distemper out in the field. a ';pet' ferret is usually at a lot lower risk of canine distemper than a working ferret as the pet ferrets do not go out near foxes. most pet ferret owners do vaccinate against cd virus . we do not wish to dictate only make people aware that whilst out in the field an unprotected ferret at this moment in time around the newcastle area is running a higher risk that normal of contracting this fatal disease. basically if a rabbit warren is near a fox warren walk away and go somewhere safe to ferret

 

I agree with you in principle, but ferrets attending shows are equally at risk of coming into contact with distemper as much as any other air bourne virus they are suseptable to, I guess anywhere that has a high concentration of ferrets in a small area such as a church hall or a marque at a game fair hightens the risk of the disease being spread , same as dogs at shows are equally at risk if not vaccinated

 

lets hope this small outbreak is contained & there are no further ferrets found to be suffering

[happyferret123 13]

what vets dont tell you is that the cd vacine comes in a vial that does four ferrets. the vets up here does 1 ferret for £30.70 or 4 ferrets for £30.70 if you dont ask they will not tell you!

 

Though I did say I had three to vaccinate and she told me it was £39something per ferret, and asked what discount it would be for all three and she said it's a set price. So will ring round other vets in area to see other prices, was cheap for the jill jab there though only £7 per ferret.

[ferret100 47]

CDV is a very nasty way to go. It kills species from pandas to marine life. It is a RNA virus, constantly mutates to affect many host species. It is airbourne and has a significant incubation period. It contaminates animals from considerable distances and once it can infect hosts within a confined area (such as shows, warrens etc) it spreads easily. Vaccination controls the virus, reducing its capacity to spread, the less animals contract it the more the virus is isolated/controlled. It's a case of looking at the bigger picture.

 

CDV is a real threat to many species. Giving your ferts a vacc might seem expensive, but it will reduce the spread in the future. Smallpox, TB, Whooping cough, Polio, Equine Flu etc all prove vaccines are very worthwhile, my ferts are vacc'd against CD, rather safe than sorry.

[Gin 498]

Its possible the infection came from the Sunderland- south area. Ferrets have come from those areas.

I did just notice a terrier, lurcher and ferret show in Bishop Auckland due on 24th June. I have informed the organiser of the situation.

 

Only ferrets are the risk. !

Edited June 20, 2012 by Gin

[Leeview 791]

Its possible the infection came from the Sunderland- south area. Ferrets have come from those areas.

I did just notice a terrier, lurcher and ferret show in Bishop Auckland due on 24th June. I have informed the organiser of the situation.

 

Only ferrets are the risk. !

 

Why are "only ferrets are the risk!"

ferrets can get cd from dogs and dogs can get it from ferrets, being airborne they dont have to touch just being in close proximity is enough

NEVER heard of foxes or rabbits having cd?

Y.I.S Leeview

[Gin 498]

I may not have made that clear,- there was no reports of dogs in that area with it, but ferrets could be. The rescue Andy mentions had the ferret COME IN with distemper.

I have just been informed the ferret show at Leeholme is going ahead. ! Saying they have had no contact with The North East Ferret Rescue, meaning what ? As i say, the distemper was already with the ferret when it was brought into that rescue.

Edited June 20, 2012 by Gin

[Moll. 1,770]

The North East ferret rescue is not only for 'pet' ferrets, i would say the majority of their rescue ferrets are workers/ex workers, especially since they are based in the north east, you rarely hear of people with pet ferrets here, mainly working ones.

They do a sterling job for these little creatures which are sadly often thought of as the lowest in priority in many homes.

It must be absolutely devastating for them, all the work they do for this to happen.

[broonball 38]

so where exactly did kenneth turn up? was he picked up as a stray or handed in as unwanted? it would give a bit peace of mind knowing a bit more about the case in question. location..newcastle area? that could be quite a widespread area. cheers john