Bob C. Wrote:
>The other thing about ADV which scares me is when the symptoms start being
>expressed, they can easily be misdiagnosed as a non-specific wasting
>disease, insulinoma, cardiomyopathy, renal disease and a host of other
>deadly things.  It is possible many cases of ADV have been (and will be)
>misdiagnosed, and animals which are spreading the disease are still coming
>into contact with healthy ferrets.  So, like when AIDS first hit in the
>USA, it can take a long time for the full extent of the disease to be
>known.
 
Bob, thank you for pointing out this very important factor -- and why
anytime I see a ferret in my shelter with these symptoms, the ferret is
immediately isolated, cage is disinfected with a parvocide, and tested for
ADV.  While the CEP test from United is not perfect, I am now using it as a
'rule-out' for diagnosis.  For instance when Silk became ill, she exhibited
many of the symptoms of ADV - lethargy, wasting, high kidney/liver values,
blood tests showed extremely high white cell counts and low red cells.  Her
ADV test was negative and her final diagnosis was leukemia.
 
I urge anyone who has a ferret exhibiting any of the symptoms that Bob has
described to please test your ferret - if for nothing else than to know
that you haven't been exposed.
 
I do have some information in regards to ADV on my website and would be
happy to add any additional info from anyone.
 
Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
http: www.ferrethaven.org
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[Posted in FML issue 3186]