ECE The Green Mystery Virus
The GREEN MYSTERY VIRUS or 'epizootic catarrhal enteritis' is an inflamation of the mucus
membrane in the intestine. In a young healthy ferret uncomplicated ECE will last 7 to 10 days but
in about 20% of cases an overaggresive immune response causes an extended illness which may
lead to a chronic wasting syndrome. Ferrets who have had ECE remain carriers of the disease for
over 6 months. The primary symptom is a Foul smelling bright neon green diarrhea which lasts 2
to 4 days, weak and older ferrets rapidly become dehydrated. Vomiting is sometimes the first
symptom and will last as long as 24 hours before the diarrhea sets in. The diarrhea will vanish and
for several days your pet may appear healthy. This is not the case, ferrets have a very acidic
digestive system, the stomach acid attacks the digestive tract and causes ulcerations in the
stomach, throat and mouth, these are uncomfortable and cause the ferret to eat less. The less they
eat the worse the ulcers become and so on until the ferret stops eating altogether. Weight loss
becomes rapidly evident and the ferret goes downhill from there.
IF LEFT UNTREATED THIS ANOREXIA CAN KILL YOUR PET!!! If you have noticed any of
these symptoms please contact your vet, ECE can be treated.
Please ( CLICK HERE) for more info on ECE.