Thank goodness someone is devoting time and research into helping ferrets and the various diseases which so often take them away from us way too early.

Researchers at MSU College of Veterinary Medicine are concentrating on conoviruses, rotaviruses, mycoplasmosis, coccidiosis and adrenal cortical neoplasms in ferrets.

They’ve discovered coronaviruses in ferrets seems to come in two forms — enteric and systemic.

The enteric form is known as Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE or Green Slime disease) while the systemic form has similar symptoms but ferrets with this virus could develop masses in the abdomen as well.

My brave little old lady lost her fight and died on Friday morning

I honestly thought she was going to be with us for longer, as she was so active when she was up. She used to power walk around the house, so fast that I had to scurry to keep up with her if I was trying to give her her medication or smoothy.

On Friday, I came across an article about the cancer-fighting properties of papaya leaf extract which had been confirmed by researchers. The thing that pricked up my ears was the fact that this supplement was good for shrinking tumours in the pancreas and liver, amongst other organs.

So, first thing on Saturday I went galloping to the health food store and got a bottle of papaya (or paw paw, as it’s called here) leaf extract to give to Kahlua.

I’ve always enjoyed eating papaya and thought the liquid would taste something like the fruit … HAH! Was I wrong! Took a capful to taste and almost spat it out as it tasted like cider vinegar. Gah!

Another ferret owner asked me that question and rather than just reply to her, I thought I’d put the answer up as a post.

To be honest it’s difficult for me to say categorically that yes, it does work.  I got it when Muis was diagnosed with insulinoma and I gave it to her every day.  One thing I can say with certainty is that it seemed to help her because she used to wander around the house quite happily, she’d come and see me in the study when I was working and always wanted to be lifted up onto my lap, and if we went out, she’d be at the front door to welcome us home when we came back.

Has anyone tried this supplement on their ferret?

Why I ask is because I ordered another bottle of Transfer Factor Plus from my supplier and I mentioned Kahlua’s strange symptoms.

When I got the TFPlus, I found a sheet of  Legalon milk thistle capsules which they’d very kindly put in for Kahlua to try, to see if that would help her condition.

They even googled if ferrets could have it and told me they’d seen several websites which talked about ferrets having this supplement.  What wonderful people!