FERRET-SEARCH@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG
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Fri, 16 Feb 2001 10:38:56 +0800 |
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>From: Jacqueline Snyder <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Ferrets & Aids
>For an HIV positive person, the descent into illness and the knowledge of
>impending death is a terribly stressful time for that person, as well as
>those around him. In time, this ferret breeder will become too sick to
>care for his ferrets. He is unlikely to realize, for a time, that he
>isn't able to care for them any longer, and during that period the ferrets
>will probably be exposed to some degree of neglect. For example, there
>may be jills that haven't been bred in too long. Or the breeder may have
>had to cut down on expenses (AIDS is horribly expensive) and the ferrets
>may have had a poor diet. They'll need rehabilitation, new homes, and may
>need medical care. This is where you may be able to perform a considerable
>humanitarian service, to the ferrets and to the breeder.
Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately this breeder breeds the jills
several times a year, does not vaccinate the kits, and has "accidentally"
inbred siblings. I think the breeder will hang to the ferrets as long as
possible as it is a "money maker". Ha ha - we all know this is false.
>From: Andy Coghill <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Ferrets and HIV/AIDS
>I'd say the greater danger is in the ferrets transmitting diseases to him!
>Litter box time can be a deadly venture for a person with full-blown AIDS.
Thanks Andy. This part didn't even sink in until you mentioned it. Are
you referring to Toxoplasmosis or something else? Bacterial infections?
E.coli?
>From: "Bruce Williams, DVM" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Ferrets and HIV
>The lentiviruses that cause HIV in humans do not infect ferrets. It is
>even very difficult to infect apes, our closest animal relatives with the
>HIV virus. Ferret lymphocytes do not possess the specific receptors which
>would allow the HIV virus to enter the cell, and even if they did, it is
>unlikely that they would be able to replicate. I don't think that there
>is anything to worry about here - I would have no problem handling ferrets
>raised by an HIV+ individual.
Thanks so much, Dr. Williams. I really respect your opinions. Can you
direct me to any studies of HIV/AIDS in ferrets that have been published?
Others in my area are concerned with this issue as well. If I had a
published paper to refer them to it will help a lot.
[FY]
[Posted in FML issue 3330]
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