The virus that causes illness in dogs is the same virus that affects ferrets.  Ferrets come into contact with the virus through airborne particles (most commonly), through direct contact with bodily fluids from other infected animals, or through contact with contaminated shoes, clothing or objects.  The incubation period for CDV in ferrets is 7-10 days from the time of exposure until symptoms occur.

Symptoms
Clinical signs of CDV in ferrets are similar to those in dogs initially and include:

• Conjunctivitis with green or yellow discharge from the eyes
• High fever
• Decreased appetite and depression
• Neurological signs such as seizures
  
• Hallmark signs in ferrets are: hardening of the foot pads and reddening and thickening of the skin around the chin, lips and thighs that progresses to a thick crusting

Similar signs are seen with human influenza virus infection, except that the hallmark features of hardened foot pads and chin and lip crusting are not present.

Treatment
Unfortunately, almost 100% of ferrets that contract CDV will succumb to the disease.  There is no treatment for the virus other than supportive care.  In the rare ferret that does survive, there may be ongoing neurological or dermatological problems.

Prevention
Luckily there is a vaccine that is highly effective at protecting ferrets from CDV.  Ferrets should get this vaccine one as a kit with a booster, and yearly until they are around 3 years of age.  Since ferrets can react violently to vaccination, it is important to monitor them closely following any vaccine given.  There is only one CDV vaccine that can be used in ferrets - Merial's Purevax Ferret Distemper Vaccine.  Any other vaccine given to ferrets may actually cause them to get infected with CDV.