Now that the Mongo Canine Distemper Titer Study is not doing samples
any longer I have found out how people's vets can have the titers run:

http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu

Specific info locations:

http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/docs/General_Submission_Form.pdf

http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/test/

http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/billing/

http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/Services/

For your vets' contact files should they need more info:

http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/contact/  (email)
Phone: AHDC switchboard (607) 253-3900
Fax: Customer Services (607) 253-3943

<http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/test/list.aspx?Species=&Test_Name=canine%20distemper&TstTyp=&WebDisc>

will give you the range of canine distemper tests, and the one for
ferrets is done as the same fee for dogs:

>Test Name                    Lab Section   Fee
>Canine Distemper (CDV) Virus FA Virology 16.50/animal
>Canine Distemper (CDV) Virus SN Virology 16.50/sample
>Canine Vaccine Panel            Virology 33.00/sample
>Canine Vaccine Panel 2          Virology 49.50/sample
>Canine Vaccine Panel 3          Virology 49.50/sample
>Ref: Canine Distemper PCR Referral   44.50 (+referral fee; see comment)

Reasons for doing titers:

1. Individual ferrets differ. After the original timed kit SERIES of
canine distemper vaccines (not just the first one that the farms do
which is not sufficient) AND after the first annual some ferrets will
need the vaccines only every few years but:
A. Some of the ferrets simply may run low titers and absolutely need
annual vaccines (Our Hubble was an example of that sort of individual.)
B. Some other ferrets will have extremely high titer numbers and that
might predispose them to allergic reactions to the vaccine if they get
the vaccine while the numbers are still high. (Our Mornie was an
example.)

2. Not all ferrets have had the full kit series of canine distemper
vaccines. That lack appears to be the predominant reason why certain
shelter ferrets were especially vulnerable this year once they were
exposed. Those ferrets need TWO canine distemper vaccines in series
over a few weeks to be sure of coverage OR need to have titers run, so
it just makes sense when adopting from most shelters to run titers on
the adopted ferrets since they may be especially vulnerable.

3. Some ferrets can not be vaccinated due to illness or due to extreme
reactions in the past (not just feeling "off" for a day or having a
bit of irritation at the injection site because those are normal and
healthy immune responses to vaccines). For those ferrets precautions
like leaving shoes outside, not letting those ferrets explore in the
outdoors, etc. can be used, but titers might warn you when the
precautions are especially important for those individuals.

4. Canine Distemper IS around. Just look at in the archives of the FHL
and FML about the shelters this year who had to go to the Vitamin A and
antiviral drugs to save more of the shelter ferrets than normally would
have died. The FML Archives URL is in the header of each day's FML and
also in my sig lines, while the FHL Archives URL is on the homepage of
the FHL in multiple places and also in my sig lines. For the FHL
Archives just put
distemper
in the 
search message body for 
box and leave the other boxes empty to start.
click the search button
Then click open messages that you select to read.

Canine distemper virus has a fatty envelope and it dies when that
envelope dries out which is why is can't be caught blowin' in the wind,
but it CAN be caught from types of clothing, especially shoes. In a
location which is hot an dry it will die is as fast a half hour after
it dried out (so if you step in infected poop that poop has to be dried
solid for at least a half hour where it is hot and dry) BUT it lasts
longer where it is moist or cooler or both. In fact, if frozen it can
remain viable for years.

Here are a few useful resources and past posts on Canine Distemper:

http://www.ferretcongress.org/sym2008/PittsPDF/index.html

<http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-columns/notes-from-an-exotic-small-animal-vet/110713-canine-distemper-in-ferrets.aspx>

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/137/8/1916.full.pdf
(Click open the pdf selection if it takes you to the main page
instead.)

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL13899

In the following message Dr. Murray is answering about SILENT carriers
so notice that he points out that ferrets do get and transmit canine
distemper but silent carriers have not been encountered:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL13706

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL13690

The infected ferrets did not have the TWO vaccines done in series over
a few weeks needed if ferrets have not had the full kit series of
vaccines: http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL13457

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL13442

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL13427

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL13426

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL11853

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL9127

This post was sent to both the FML and FHL.

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html
"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)

[Posted in FML 7220]