F.A.C.T. (Ferret Awareness Club of the Tri-Cities Tn)

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NEWS

FERRETS & HUMAN RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS,

Flu (H1N1 or seasonal) and Common Colds

In light of the H1N1 and seasonal flu epidemics upon us, F.A.C.T. wants to remind ferret owners that their ferrets are susceptible to all human respiratory infections, regardless of whether the infection is the flu or not, regardless of whether the infection is viral or bacteria. This means that your ferret can catch your flu or cold and then pass it along to other ferrets and other humans in the house. Therefore, you do not want to cough, sneeze, or breath on your ferret if you are sick.

If anyone in your household has the flu or a common cold, that person SHOULD NOT at all interact with the ferret. It is worth repeating: if anyone is sick, DO NOT HANDLE YOUR FERRET. It is particularly important to know that if anyone in the household has the flu, it is safe to assume the whole family has been exposd, and therefore, everyone should limit their interaction with their ferret until the household is all well.

Interacting with your ferret if sick: wash your hands ! limit your time with the ferret, even if it wants to play ! wear a mask when handling food/water/litter pans !

If your ferret catchs a human respiratory infection, it will have the same symtoms as humans: watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and lethary. The best care is to see that the ferret gets plenty of rest (not too much play .. brief play ... do not let it play to exhaustion), and make sure that it is eating and drinking; it is most important that the ferret drinks plenty of water, so watch to be sure. The ferret, like us humans, should recover within several days or a week. If, however, the nasal discharge becomes discolored or cloudy, if the infection persists, or your ferret suddenly acts very sick, take it to your vet promptly. It is better to error on the side of caution if you suspect your ferret has caught H1N1 flu, seasonal flu, or a cold.

Thank you. Please check on-line for ferret shelters nearest to you. All of us work together and will be glad to help, giving you peace-of-mind that your ferret is adopted safely.

WHO WE ARE

F.A.C.T. is a non-profit Education, Adoption, and Rescue organization founded in 1991 and located in East Tennessee. F.A.C.T., with the help of volunteers and foster homes, has been able to handle over 100 ferret adoptions each year. If you would like a free ferret information packet, want information on how to adopt one of our ferrets, or wish to make a donation to F.A.C.T., please contact us at the e-mail or phone number below.

Note that F.A.C.T. networks with volunteers, shelters and other rescue organization throughout Tennessee and for approximately several hundred mile radius. However, F.A.C.T. DOES NOT ship ferrets to locations out of our working areas.

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