I am certainly not the most qualified person on this list to answer this
question, I will explain what I have read and been told, and will hope that
members of this list who are more qualified will answer as well.
 
ADV is a parvo virus that affects mainly mink, but can also infect ferrets.
Like flu, there are several strains of ADV, and, like flu, some are more
contagious and deadly then others.  ADV can be compared to HIV and AIDS,
in that it is a virus, and affects the immune system.  And, like HIV, an
animal can be exposed and go for a period of time before actually getting
sick.  Unlike HIV and AIDS, which suppresses the immune system, ADV causes
it to go into overdrive.  In this way, it could be compared to Lupus.  Like
Lupus, the systems immune system attacks other parts of the body, and like
Lupus, there can be flare ups and periods of remission.  This is a very
simplified explanation, and not meant to be technically correct on all
levels.  I just find it easier to explain in terms of human illnesses we
are more familiar with.
 
The symptoms of ADV can be varied.  Sometimes it appears as a wasting
disease, sometimes as a paralysis of the hind quarters, and sometimes as a
reparatory problem.  All of these are very vague symptoms, and can also be
caused by other problems.  As I understand it, the only way to really know
if ADV is the culprit is through necropsy.  There are markers, though, that
can point to Aleutians.  First, there is the Aleutians test.  This test
only confirms the presence of antibodies, which only means the animal has
been exposed.  If the test is positive, though, and no other diagnosis is
made, additional bloodwork can help in deciding if it is likely to be ADV.
With clinical ADV (active ADV) the blood protein levels (white cell count)
will be very high.  Also, since the liver and kidneys are frequently the
first organs to suffer, an increase of liver and/or kidney enzymes will
point to ADV.  Of course, there are other problems that will cause this
type of results in blood workups, and that is one of the sad things about
ADV.  It is very hard to know for sure what you are dealing with.
 
In the case of my Hershey, he had some stomach upset in the early fall and
lost some weight.  As fall turned to winter, he failed to get his winter
coat, and also failed to regain any weight.  Since I knew he had tested
positive for ADV in October, I took him in to see Dr. Weiss.  Upon
examination, even though he knew of the positive ADV test, Dr. Weiss
thought it might be early adrenal.  Hershey's coat was dry and brittle, and
thinning.  Weight loss can be associated with adrenal, also.  But he
suggested we go ahead and run some blood tests.  The results showed
Hershey's protein levels to be very high, and his liver enzymes were more
then twice the high end of normal.  We put him on Clavamox and supportive
care, and retested in 2 weeks.  At that time the liver enzymes were back to
the high end of normal, but the protein levels were still high.  Although
he could not say conclusively that this was clinical ADV, he suspected it
was.  I have since shown the results to 2 other ferret specialists, and
they concur.
 
For now, Hershey is holding his own with just some extra supportive care.
He is active and playful, and is actually putting on some weight.  For now,
all I want is to keep him feeling good.  I am working with several vets,
and we are looking at various drugs that might help to extend his
worthwhile life span.
 
I would be more than happy to hear privately from anyone that might have
other information that could help my ferrets.  Likewise, I would be happy
to respond privately to anyone that had additional questions for me.  As
I said at the beginning, I am far from an expert on this, but I am working
with several good vets, and would be happy to share anything I learn.
 
Take care, everyone, and hug you fuzzies.
Danee DeVore
[Posted in FML issue 2918]