American Ferret Association and League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts
Announce Joint Campaign
 
January 28, 2000-Crownsville, MD and North Brunswick, NJ-The American
Ferret Association (AFA) and the League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts
(LIFE) announced today a joint campaign against Aluetians Disease Virus
(ADV), a parvovirus which affects ferrets, mink and several other species.
There is no cure, and the disease is generally terminal in affected
ferrets.
 
ADV can be shed by an infected ferret even when there is no clinical
symptomology.  It can be passed during breeding and birth, as well as
through feces and bodily fluids.  The symptoms may include weight loss,
lethargy, and hindquarter weakness.  There is often a cough exhibited by
infected animals.  Blood tests will generally indicate a high protein
level.  Additionally, there is a high incidence of stillbirth and
miscarriage in breeding jills that are infected.
 
There are confirmed epizootic type outbreaks of ADV in Eastern PA and
Southern TX, and reported outbreaks in New Zealand and the UK.  The
outbreaks in Texas and Pennsylvania have been confirmed by necropsy and
pathology reports on ferrets which succumbed to the illness.
 
Many of the outbreaks can be directly tied to "hobby" type breeders,
particularly those who are breeding ferrets imported from Canada, New
Zealand and England.  Strong evidence suggests that many of the infected
ferrets were bred in Minnesota, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
 
The AFA and LIFE have taken action on several fronts in order to stem the
potential for epizootic incidence.  The targeted issues are quarantine of
ADV infected animals; education of the public; and development of a more
efficient diagnostic tool and a vaccine.
 
A group of ferrets has been quarantined in San Antonio, TX at the San
Antonio Ferret Enthusiasts - Ferret SAFE House.  A second group of infected
ferrets was turned over by a Pennsylvania breeder to the Fuzztek North
Ferret Shelter in New Milford, NJ.  These ferrets are in permanent
quarantine in facilities where proper sanitary precautions are being taken
to prevent any further spread of the disease.  In addition, the Fuzztek
North Ferret Shelter has closed it doors to all but ADV positive ferrets,
and will accept referrals of ferrets with proof of ADV positive status for
permanent housing and care from other recognized shelters.
 
There is currently only one available ADV test in the United States.
United Vaccine performs a counterelectrophoresis (CEP) laboratory test,
which tests for antibodies in the blood.  The same test is performed in the
UK by Harlan UK LTD.  Ferrets that have been exposed to ADV will likely
test positive, even if they are not carriers and will never show symptoms
of the disease.  The CEP test seems to have a potentially high incidence
of false positives, and the test is not conclusive of clinical disease.
Additionally, it can take up to six months post-exposure for the CEP
diagnostic to be conclusive.  In order for a vaccine to be developed, a
more accurate test is needed.  It is estimated that development of the
test and subsequent vaccine will cost $100,000.
 
Dr. Karen Rosenthal, formerly associated with the Animal Medical Center in
New York City, and currently a research veterinarian at the University of
Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, has expressed deep interest in
a research study for the purpose of developing a new test and subsequent
vaccine.
 
In order to facilitate the ongoing care of the quarantined groups of
ferrets, and the clinical testing and development, AFA and LIFE are
spearheading a fundraising drive.  An appeal is being made to the public,
as well as private endowments and ferret related industries for their
generous support in these endeavors.  Donations can be made as follows:
 
Tax Deductible donations towards clinical research and development of a
more conclusive test and vaccine:
 
Pamela Slack, D.V.M Memorial Ferret Medical Research Grant Fund
c/o The American Ferret Association
Post Office Box 255
Crownsville, MD 21032-0255
ATTN.: ALEUTIAN DISEASE FUND
 
Donations to Fuzztek North Shelter for the ongoing care of permanently
quarantined ferrets may be sent directly to either of the following:
 
The Ferret Store
P O Box 2346
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-2346
(888) FERRET
ATTN.: Fuzztek Ferret Fund
 
Ridgefield Park Animal Hospital
215 Main St.
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
(201) 814-0095
ATTN.: Fuzztek Ferret Fund
 
For further information, please visit
http://www.ferrethaven.org/aleutian.html,  telephone  1-888-FERRET-1, or
e-mail [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2942]