(This is a long response to something in Wednesday's FML, and so it is
being sent in 2 parts. [which I combined into one here :-) BIG]
Wolfy Wrote:
>First... I have heard that the AFA adding new rules at shows for our
>ferrets protection. If its true, I think it's a good step forward. The
>new rule being that a ferret from an ADV positive "home" whether its
>negative or positive can not show.
I have heard this rumor, also. And, in a perfect world, I would agree it
is a good rule to make. But it is not a perfect world, and while I do not
think that people with positive ferrets should show any of their ferrets,
I think that making this type of rule (in an imperfect world) is a good
idea. I will explain why I feel this way, both about showing, and about
the rule. But, I would also like to mention that discussions of these
and other issues have been going on on the ADVList, and anyone that is
interested should come and visit. The list is public, so you do not have
to join to read the messages. You only need to join if you want to post
to the list. The URL for the ADVList is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/advferret/
First, about the rule. If it were enforceable, I think it would be good,
and would offer additional protection to the ferrets attending the show.
But, it is not a rule that can be easily enforced. How is the sanctioning
organization, be it AFA or another group, going to know if people entering
the show have ADV+ ferrets in their home or not? Yes, some people have
openly stated they have ferrets that are ADV+, but what is to prevent
those people from stating they got rid of the ferrets? How will anyone
know? And, for every person that admits they have ferrets that test
positive for ADV, there are more that have them and say nothing. I don't
think the AFA or any other organization wants to start trying to police
peoples' homes. There is already a great deal of mistrust among show
goers over the ADV issue, and trying to have this type of rule will just
make it worse. People are all ready saying they think some people are
cheating, and falsifying ADV test results. At least with the current
rules, there has to be a document with the ferret's name and the date of
the test and the result. But how do the show registrars know how many
ferrets any one person has, and what their names are? How will they
verify that the person does not have any ferrets that are ADV+? And, if
it is just going to be a signed statement from the person - what good is
that? If people are willing to falsify records, they are not going to
think twice about lying.
There is another reason I think this rule is bad, though. It is going
to cause more people to keep the ADV status of their ferrets a secret.
Hiding ADV is not going to help the problem. ADV has been hidden for too
long, and that is probably part of the reason it has become as much of a
problem as it is today. People need to feel they will not be treated
differently just because their ferrets have ADV. They need to feel safe
being open about it. To conquer the problem of ADV, we need to be able
to determine how widespread it is. That is not going to happen in a
world where people fear discrimination because they have ferrets with
ADV. People are just now starting to talk more openly about ADV. We
don't want to turn back the clock on that.
In my opinion, the answer is not rules, but education. While I will admit
that there are probably some people that only care about winning trophies,
I think most people genuinely care about the ferrets. They do not want to
do things that will put the ferrets at risk, especially their own ferrets.
If people with ADV+ ferrets understand why their ferrets that test
negative could be a risk, I think (I certainly hope) they will behave in
a responsible manner.
And, it is not just the people with ferrets that are ADV+ that need to be
educated. The rest of the people also need to realize that when they take
their ferrets into public places, and have them around other ferrets, that
they increase the risk of exposing their ferrets to contagious diseases -
not just ADV, but all contagious diseases. People showing their ferrets
need to take responsibility for their ferrets' welfare, and take
reasonable precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure. They need to know
why they shouldn't allow their ferrets to walk on the bare floors, and why
it is essential that they clean up any "messes" their ferrets might make.
They need to understand why they shouldn't let strangers handle their
ferrets, and why they shouldn't handle other peoples ferrets, either. The
AFA and other organizations can not try to get into the mode of taking
responsibility for everyone's ferrets. Each ferret owner has to step up
and take responsibility for their own pets' welfare. And, it is not just
ADV - it is ECE and distemper and any of the other contagious diseases
that can affect out ferrets' health and well being.
One final thing on this - how will people that have had ferrets that were
ADV+ but no longer have them be handled? If you have a ferret with ADV
for a short time, are you then forever banned from showing? It is known
that ADV can live a long time outside a host, so if the ferret had ever
been in a shedding state, the virus could remain in the house after the
infected ferret is gone. Personally, I do think houses can be cleaned
up after ADV, but no one knows for sure if and how it can be done. If a
rule prohibiting people with ADV+ ferrets from showing their ADV- ferrets
is made, this is an issue that must be dealt with, and right now, I don't
know that there is an answer for the question.
Now, as to why I think people with ADV+ ferrets should not show any of
their ferrets...
At one time, I did think it was safe to show a ferret, as long as that
ferret had a recent negative test result, regardless of the ADV status of
other ferrets in the household. Over time though, as I have learned more
about ADV, my opinion has changed.
When a ferret contracts ADV, it begins building antibodies to the disease.
The commercial tests that are currently available test for the presence of
these antibodies. But, the antibodies do not suddenly appear overnight.
It takes time for them to build up to a point where the tests can detect
them. It takes a minimum of 2 weeks, in fact, and can take as long as 8
weeks, for the antibodies to reach a sufficient level for a test to detect
them. However, during this time, the ferret does have ADV and can be
shedding the disease. So, a recently exposed ferret can have a recent
negative test result, but still have ADV and be spreading it. And, while
this can apply to any ferret, it is much more likely to apply to a ferret
living in a home with ADV+ ferrets.
From my own personal experience with ADV, I can tell you that a ferret may
not show any symptoms when they are in a shedding state. Without running
a PCR test on blood, urine, and saliva samples, there is no way of knowing
if a ferret is shedding ADV.
So, while I do not think people with ADV+ ferrets should show any of their
ferrets, I think that education, not legislation is the answer.
Wolfy Also wrote:
>Another thing I was pondering... was I was wondering what are the
>thoughts of shelter operators about adopting out ADV negative ferrets
>with no history of possible exposure to homes that are ADV infected?
This is another good issue for discussion. I know of several shelters
that will not adopt ferrets to a household that already has ferrets unless
proof that those ferrets are ADV- is produced. I think this is probably a
good policy to have, if for no other reason then to protect the shelter.
People who adopt may have the best intentions, but there is always a
chance things will not work out. Most shelters want the ferret to come
back to them if things don't work out, and they want some assurance that
the ferret will not come back with ADV.
Not all ferrets that are exposed to ADV develop it. Some ferrets
apparently have a natural immunity. But, why take a chance.
Danee
ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!
For more information visit http://www.geocities.com/russiansmom
[Posted in FML issue 3834]
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