Re issue 153:
 
On Aleutian disease, there are many symptoms described in the research
literature.  Also, from what I am able to find out about the disease,
it is "very" contageous ONLY if one has a genetic predisposition to it.
This is found typically in inbred populations (such as commercial or
laboratory breeding colonies).  It appears to involve two recessive
genes.  So if your ferret does not have the predisposition, there is
little reason to worry.  Unfortunately, two problems arise:
1, there's no way to know if you're predisposed for sure.
2, I have been told that ferrets who were vaccinated for canine
parvovirus typically test positive for Aleutians.  There are two tests
used in ferrets, one of which is riddled with false positives, but I
don't remember which one it is.
 
The information I have from MIT (through Mary Van Dahm at GCFA is that
one in every FIFTEEN ferrets tests positive for Aleutians (1:15 is also a
genetic "magic number").  The higher percentage would hold, of course,
for inbred populations.  Also, remember that ferrets may test positive
one time and then a few months later test negative (this probably means
that they picked up the virus but overcame it because they did not have
the genetic predisposition.)
 
There seems to be a lot of unwarranted hysteria about Aleutian disease
going around lately which is causing everyone a lot of unnecessary
anxiety.  The best defense against it is to be extremely careful where
your ferrets come from.  Keep away from inbred stock or stock with
chronic health problems.
 
Cushings disease progresses very rapidly in ferrets in my experience.
So I doubt it had anything to do with the ferret with the bald tail.
 
Fa
                                                                          
[Posted in FML 0154]