by Kristen Onasch

First seen in 1993, Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis, or ECE, is a highly contagious virus. Characterized by neon green, slimy diarrhea, ECE is an inflammation of the mucous membranes in the intestines. ECE not only affects the intestine, but the liver as well. ECE is a very common problem, especially among pet store kits. So how can you recognize the symptoms, and once the disease is diagnosed, how can you treat it?

Symptoms

There is no test for ECE, so your veterinarian will need to diagnose the illness by recognizing the symptoms and then eliminating other diseases. Here are the symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Dehydration from the excessive diarrhea
• Extreme weight loss – some ferrets can lose up to 50% of their weight

Diarrhea is usually the first sign you will see. It will be very foul smelling and possibly projectile. There are three different kinds of diarrhea associated with ECE.

• Green slime
  This is the most noticeable kind. You will see this in the first 2 – 4 days. DO NOT assume that because you don’t see this diarrhea anymore that the illness is gone.
• Runny yellow/gold
  This type may be bubbly as well
• A jelly-like material with grainy or seedy material in it
  If you see this diarrhea, it is a sign of malabsorption. This means that your ferret is at the point where he is not properly digesting food and is in real danger.

It is most common to see ECE in your house following the introduction of a new ferret, though it is possible to bring the virus home on your skin and clothing after coming into contact with a ferret who is infected or a carrier for the disease. Ferrets will spread the disease among themselves through bodily fluids, feces, and direct contact. Symptoms will usually present within 2 – 3 days after bringing in a new ferret.

Treatment

NOTE: If you do not treat your ferret, he will die!

Unfortunately, since ECE is a virus, there is no actual cure, just treatment for the symptoms. Medication given will help to relieve symptoms, and prevent or fight secondary infections. Treatment should have four parts – subcutaneous fluids, electrolyte replacers, supplemental feedings, and antibiotics.

• Subcutaneous fluids
  These are vital at the beginning of the treatment to combat dehydration. Consult your veterinarian for amounts and schedule of fluids.
• Electrolyte replacements
  They should either be in your ferret's water or mixed into Duck Soup to pick up where the Sub-Q fluids left off. Some choices are Pedialyte, Gatorade, and Marshall Ferret Aide.
• Supplemental feedings of Duck Soup
  It is very important that your ferret be given a bland diet (easy to digest) that is high in calories. A good recipe is:
  
  • 1 can of Feline A/D
  • Ensure/Sustecal (small quantities, due to sugar)
  • Uncle Jim’s Original Duck Soup Mix
  • Chicken and Gravy Baby Food (ferret owners prefer Gerber)
  Your ferret will need to be fed at least four times a day. The absolute minimum a ferret can live on is 20 cc’s, three times a day, or 60 cc’s total.
• Antibiotics
  You will want a systemic antibiotic, such as Amoxicillin. As mentioned before, this will not cure the ECE, but it will prevent secondary infections.

You may also want to use digestive aids such as Carafate or Pepto-Bismol to ensure that your ferret will be able to keep his food down. If you see any pawing at the mouth, this can be a sign of ulcers, nausea, or low blood sugar. You will need to see your veterinarian for treatment.

Recovery

ECE will run its course for one to three weeks, with otherwise healthy ferrets usually getting through the initial stage in seven to ten days. However, the symptoms of ECE can persist for months. Don’t be alarmed if you continue to see low body weight or seedy stool. It will take a while for the ferret to regain the body weight, and the consistency of the feces will vary from day to day. Additionally, ferrets who have suffered ECE will remain susceptible to episodes of seedy diarrhea following stressful situations or dietary change for the rest of their life. This does not mean that they have the disease again.

The ferret remains a carrier of ECE, shedding the virus, for a minimum of six to eight months after the initial treatment. Some ferret experts think that it could be up to a year or longer. Quarantine your ferrets for at least six months after the disease. Do not bring any new ferrets into the house, and limit contact with other people’s ferrets.

Prevention

So what can you do to prevent ECE from entering your household?

• Quarantine new ferrets for a minimum of 2 weeks for monitoring. During this time, take the ferret to the veterinarian and watch for the telltale green stools, lethargy, vomiting, etc. You may not see signs of ECE.
• Prevent or minimize exposure to other ferrets. Do not take your ferret over to a house with a new ferret in it until you are certain that the ferret does not have ECE.
• Thoroughly clean your hands and change clothes after handling other people’s ferrets or attending pet events and shows.
• Insist that other people wash their hands before touching your ferrets.
• Do not handle pet store ferrets.

None of these methods are 100% foolproof, given the ease with which ECE is transmitted. But they will definitely cut down on the risk, and hopefully help you keep your home ECE free!



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