First off I want to thank all the people that have been so wonderful in
listening to me chatter on and on about What to do.  Here is my story,
flame me if you will, it won't bother me one bit as I know I am doing the
right thing for these ferrets.
 
About 3-4 months ago I started hearing people had yet once again been
complaining about my kits being ADV infected.  So I got the Avecon Quick
Test.  Everyone tested was Negitive by that test.  I can assure you they
were completely negitive.  Wow what a relief to me to see the Quick test
reslults.  A few days ago a friend of mine came over to test 2 of the
ferrets with blood tests because she wanted to take them in (both fuzzies
were retired breeders) She was telling me how Avecon now issues
Certificates with the blood test.  I though "what a great idea, then there
can be no question all I have to do is show off my certificate" So I asked
if she would draw the blood on all of my breeders that way I could get
certificates for them.  She said sure and we went about the task of
convincing 9 ferrets (my 7 breeders and the two she wanted to test) that
they indeed wanted to do this (yeah right)
 
Needless to say the test results came back friday.  I just about died !  4
of the 9 tested positive.  I've made arangements for ALL of my breeders to
get fixed.  I've drawn blood on the rest of the fuzzies here and expect
thoses results Wednesday morning.  Let me now post a couple of things that
can be found on my web site.
 
" We at Dawning Sky Ferrets will no longer be breeding ferrets at all,
Please be patient with me as it will take some time to switch over the
web site to include all our new information.  Sorry to theses expecting
litters from us.  And to all people who have gotten ferrets from us...
 
Please we urge you to have your ferrets tested for ADV using Avecon's
blood test.  If you are squeamish about drawing the blood then have your
vet assist you.  But it is Vitally Important that you Do these Tests!!
We will no longer accept any new ferrets into our home, or adopt any out,
our site will be for information regarding ferrets and the disease known
as ADV.
 
Most people never think to consider their ferrets can contract this
horrible Disease.  The only way to slow it down is public Awareness.  and
Action !  Don't Adopt from Shelters that don't test.  Don't buy from a Pet
Store without bringing an Avecon Quick Test with you.  Don't purchase from
breeders that can't show you a Certificate that says "This ferret is ADV
free" Yes they do have these certificates, and it was while trying to get
some for my own breeding fuzzies that I found out We have ADV.  Of course
since then my Fuzzies have been fixed and are now permanent members of
the Family.  We must let People know that we are not willing as a ferret
comunity to let this disease spread and potentially infect other Fuzzies.
 
If you have ADV then you should make sure to tell all your friends.  Make
sure that you get a Parvocide spray such as TekTrol to use on ALL shoes &
Socks heading out of your house.  take it with you and spray Where you sit
down (espically at the Vet's office)  As well A-33 Dry can be used to clean
kennels, floors, counters, and where ever ferrets play, this will aid in
killing the virus outside of the ferret's body for up to 14 days.  Both
can be purchased from Revival Animal Health.
 
Please as a final note TEST YOUR FUZZIES !!  How can this be stressed
enough?  "
 
There are people that bought Judy Moon's ferrets, I Urge them all to get
their ferret's tested as well.  It is entirly possible, and most likely
the case that these ferrets have had ADV since Judy Moon got them, the
sad thing is she bred them many times over and now there may be several
litters out there somewhere with this, and the owners not even know it!!
[Posted in FML issue 3693]