Sanctuary & home of rest for elderly, neglected, unwell, or unwanted ferrets to enjoy a final forever-home enjoying the finest ferrety luxuries I can offer.
26/12/2024
With the global surge of new and concerning Covid-19 variants, it's a good time for ferret owners to talk about the transmission of zoonotic viruses in ferrets, and how to keep our ferrets (and ourselves) healthy.
We know that ferrets are capable of contracting Covid-19, as ferrets have been used as a model species for the development of a Covid-19 vaccination. However, there are extremely few confirmed cases of ferrets contracting Covid-19 naturally. In addition, there are no recorded cases (to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication) of ferrets passing Covid-19 to humans. There is no reason to believe they will become a significant source of transmission to us.
We do know for a fact that ferrets can contract Influenza from us, and spread Influenza to us. Although there is still much we need to learn about Covid-19, these precautions & tips at the very least should be helpful for reducing risk of influenza in ferrets.
The flu in ferrets can be self-limiting (meaning they may recover on their own), however, it can also rapidly turn into pneumonia and become life-threatening to them. We've had it go through our ferrets, and it was quite scary to hear them cough and wheeze... We were up all hours caring for them (all made a full recovery).
The best thing you can do for yourself and your ferrets, is follow a few simple, standard precautions.
✓ Hand washing! Scrub-a-dub those hands up to the elbow, thoroughly, for at least 20-30 seconds. Wash often, and wash well.
✓ If you live in a household with someone who is immune compromised or 50+ (or are yourself) have them take a few simple precautions- avoid close facial contact with the ferrets, don't handle the ferrets and then touch ones face, and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not spend prolonged amounts of time in an enclosed space with the ferrets- distancing, limiting prolonged exposure, and good ventilation are important factors for reducing spread risks.
✓ Get vaccinated each year if possible, especially if you are your ferrets primary caregiver. Because there are multiple strains of Influenza, getting the vaccine (usually limited to 1-2 strains) will not guarantee that you will not contract the flu, but it will reduce your chances of contracting it. You may also want to consider the Covid-19 vaccine for yourself as well, and follow the recommended booster schedule as it is adjusted by the CDC. The Covid-19 vaccine does not fully prevent the virus, but may reduce the severity of symptoms & spread. You should still continue to take basic precautions, even if you have been vaccinated for either virus. *There is not an influenza vaccine available for ferrets, despite the fact that they were used in the development of influenza vaccines. Unlike the flu vaccine, there is actually a Covid-19 vaccine for animals currently in development, under the name Zoetis. Depending of the success & safety of this vaccine, it may be worth consideration for some owners in the future.
✓ During flu season, and currently during the current Covid-19 surge, it may be best not to arrange ferret playdates, or to bring your ferret out in public. You may also want to limit your ferrets' contact with outside humans who are visiting your home.
✓ If you choose to add a new ferret to your household at this time, follow VERY STRICT quarantine protocols: keep the new ferret completely separate from your existing ferrets, in a separate area of your home. Thoroughly wash your hands and even change your clothes after all interaction with the new ferret. Quarantine protocols should be followed for a minimum of 2-3 weeks. NOTE: quarantine is especially important at this time, but did you know that it is good practice to always quarantine new ferrets/pets? New ferrets can bring home illnesses & make your existing ferrets ill. Some common issues include mites, influenza, and ECE.
✓ If you become ill, immediately try to minimize contact with your ferrets as much as possible.
✓ If you are ill & are the primarily/only ferret care taker, sanitize/wash your hands immidiatly before and after cleaning/feeding/watering. Wear a properly adjusted mask to help limit the spread of your germs (N95 is best, but any covering that will prevent the spread of droplets is better than nothing). Caution: rubber gloves are a serious choking/blockage hazard for ferrets. If you choose to wear gloves, don't let your ferrets get ahold of them.
✓ Have an established vet, and at least one back-up vet. It's best to establish your ferrets at a vet before they have a major illness or injury. If you don't yet have a vet, call around & have a well-visit done for your ferrets. This is a great practice in general!
✓ Have an emergency aid kit for your ferrets. Unflavored Pedialyte, Oxbow Carnivore Care, a sub-q kit, and a humidifier are great items to have on hand. NEVER GIVE OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION UNLESS DIRECTED BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN! Please consult your veterinarian if your ferret becomes ill. Being prepared to provide supportive care is one thing, trying to diagnose and treat illness without a veterinary consultation can be extremely dangerous to the health of your pet.
✓ Have an extra space/cage that you can use as a hospice/quarantine for any sick/recovering fuzzies that may need an extra level of care & to be separated from the others. A hospice cage should ideally be one level and easy to clean/sanitize. Puppy pads make a good lining for a hospice cage (unless your ferret chews them).
✓And finally, a repeat because it is so important, establish your ferrets with a local veterinarian. Please remember to be kind to your veterinarian- the vet industry is currently seeing a lot of stress and burn out.
Here are a few further resources-
• CDC Guidelines for Animals & Covid-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html
• Influenza in Ferrets:
https://www.petmd.com/ferret/conditions/respiratory/c_ft_human_influenza_virus #:~:text=The%20veterinarian%20will%20diagnose%20the,completely%20recover%20from%20the%20infection.
• USDA/APHIS on Covid-19 in Animals:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa_one_health/sars-cov-2-animals-us
