I have not posted out on this subject before, because I did not want to
cause any hysteria in the ferret community.  Since others are now
discussing it again, I feel it is time for me to speak up.  I am doing
this in several parts, because it is long.
 
I am one of the people that has been directly affected, and can speak with
some firsthand knowledge.  I have no interest in ruining anyone, and in
fact, I do not blame anyone for what has happened to me.  Blaming only
shifts responsibility of a problem, and does nothing to solve it.  My
interest now, is to try and prevent what has happened to me from happening
to someone else.
 
For the benefit of those on this list that have not been a part of recent
events, I will go back to a ferret show in July.  At this show, another
breeder and I took possession of 3 ferrets from another person at the show.
A few days later, this third person turned most of her remaining ferrets
into a shelter.  Shortly after that, one of the ferrets at the shelter
became very ill, and eventually had to be put down.  Necropsy revealed
that the ferret was suffering from clinical Aleutians Disease, or ADV.
 
While no one attempted to keep information from me, I was not made aware of
the cause of the ferrets illness until over 2 months later.  By that time,
my own ferrets had been thoroughly exposed to the jill that had come back
to me.  I did some initial spot testing of my ferrets, and found several
tested positive for ADV, and so I closed my ferretry and withdrew from any
future ferret shows.  In November I did thorough testing of my ferrets, and
found that 7 out of 31 test positive for ADV.  At that time, none of them
were actually sick, but even that has changed.  I now have a 5 year old
neutered male, Hershey, that has started showing signs of clinical
Aleutians.  Additional blood tests have also indicated that in Hershey, the
disease is now active.
 
One of the terrible things about this disease is that there has been very
little research done on it, and most of what has been done has been in
relation to mink.  Another terrible thing is that a ferret can appear
perfectly healthy, but be carrying the disease.  Aleutians is not new,
although there have not been many reported cases of it in the States in
recent years.  There is a situation in Texas that many may be aware of,
and now there is a situation on the East Coast of the US.  This is not an
epidemic, only a few cases.  But, if people are not careful, the problem
could spread.
 
My first recommendation to people that are concerned about ADV is that they
have their ferrets tested.  The only place I am aware of in the US that
commercially offers testing for ADV is United Vaccines.  They charge $15.00
for the fist sample, and $10.00 for each additional sample sent in.  The
test only requires a small amount of blood, and United will sell you the
supplies, so this is something everyone could do themselves.  For several
reasons, I chose to work with my vet on gathering the samples, and we
figured with materials, shipping fees and the hourly wage of the vet techs
that worked with me it worked out to about $14.00 a ferret.
 
Just because a ferret tests positive does not mean it is going to get sick.
Unfortunately, the test is only for antibodies, which simply means that
the ferret has been exposed.  At this time there is not a commercially
available test that will tell you whether or not the ferret will get sick
can spread the disease.  One of the vets I have been working with has
treated cases of ADV in the past, and based on his experience, he believes
that ferrets only shed the disease when it is in an active state.  That
is, when they are initially exposed, and anytime they become ill from it.
And the disease is not always deadly.  Some ferrets may have attacks, and
then go into a period of remission.  Please note that I used the words
'believes' and 'based on his experience'.  As I said earlier, there is
very little concrete information about this disease.
 
[Second post follows, combined with first above.  BIG]
 
I have spoken with Shirley by phone, and I have expressed that IMHO she
needs to have her ferrets retested before allowing them around other
ferrets.  I do not doubt that she had them tested, and that the results
were negative, but the tests were run early.  It takes at least 6 to 8
weeks for the antibodies to show up, and may take several months.  Shirley
had her test done, based on what she has told me, at about 6 or 7 weeks.  I
am not criticizing Shirley, she did test her ferrets and she did let people
know what the situation was.  She just may need to go one step further.
 
I am not saying that the Warm Fuzzy Show scheduled for Feb. should be
canceled.  That is that club's decision to make.  But, I think Shirley
should not take any ferrets to the show, unless they have been retested,
for the protection of others.  Again, this is my opinion.  I have no
interest in destroying that show.  In fact, I offered to come up and help
Shirley if she would dedicate the show to ADV Awareness, would have an ADV
knowledgeable vet as a speaker and would set up an Aleutians testing clinic
there.  My concern is the safety of other ferrets.
 
Now, on to another part of this discussion.  I do not always agree with
Pat Stauffer on issues.  There are times when I tell her we have to agree
to disagree.  I have told her that she is occasionally a little blunt in
expressing her opinions.  In turn, she has said I try too hard to be
politically correct.  Perhaps we are both a little right.  What I do know
is that Pat is very knowledgeable on ferret health issues, and has many
good contacts for additional information.  Pat has been very supportive to
me in the last few months, helping me get information, and putting me in
touch with professionals that can offer suggestions for dealing with my
situation.  She has expressed concern for my ferrets well being, and has
offered her own suggestions as well.  She is interested in trying to find
funding for an ADV research project, just as I am.  Since this side of the
coin has not been previously shown, I just wanted to make others aware.
I believe that her primary concern has been making people aware of the
situation, so that everyone can make their own decision based on all the
information.
 
Best wishes to everyone in the New Year.
Danee DeVore
[Posted in FML issue 2916]