It is possible for people to transmit certain strains of human influenza to their pet ferret. Just as in people the virus is transmitted by aerosolized droplets, as in sneezing near your ferret. Your ferret can then transmit the virus to another ferret or back to another person.
The incubation period is very short for a ferret, about 48 hours. The clinical signs start with a fever, then bouts of sneezing, watery eyes, white to yellowish discharge from the nose, decreased appetite, lethargy, and subsequently their eyes may become sensitive. In very young ferrets, symptoms may be very severe, causing a secondary infection which leads to pneumonia. However, most newborns will get some protection from their mother's milk.
Since there is a low mortality rate (especially in adults) treatment involves encouraging your ferret to eat his favorite foods, get plenty of water and maybe give an antihistamine during the 7 - 14 day course of the illness. Please call us prior to giving any over the counter products to your animals.
