Melissa Lough <[log in to unmask]> wrote on 11/14/2004, 3:45 AM:
 
>It cost quite a bit to have the vet do so I would like to find out how
>to send out myself; and if the swabing of the mouth is as accurate as
>blood?
 
There are 2 types of saliva test that can be done, and both are available
from Avecon Diagnostics.
 
Over the last few years, there have been many debates about whether or
not the saliva tests are as accurate as the blood test offered by United.
The United test has been around for many years, and has proven to be
effective.  The Avecon tests are fairly new, were not stringently tested
before going on the market, and have had some problems associated with
them.
 
However, most of the problems encountered have happened with the in home
Quick Test, also called the POC test.  The ELISA Test, where you send a
saliva sample to Avecon, does appear to be fairly reliable.
 
That said, Dr. Stephon (the head of Avecon) stated during a talk he gave
at a Pittsburgh ferret show that because the Avecon tests only test for
a protein that is present in the antibody when the virus is replicating,
that it is possible to get a false negative result if the virus is
dormant.  As to how often something like this would occur, well, at this
time I don't think anyone knows.
 
If you have previously tested your ferrets with the United blood test,
and if they have all been negative, then I think you could test with
Avecon's ELISA test without any worries about the results.
 
To find out how to collect the sample and send it in, visit their
website at:
    http://www.avecon.com/advabelisa.html
 
To see an online photo essay about how to collect blood sample to send
to United, see:
    http://www.pooflinger.com/advtest.html
--
Danee
International Ferret Congress Health Issues Coordinator
http://ferretcongress.org
ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!
For more information visit: http://www.ferretadv.com
You can help fight ADV! Visit:
http://help4adv.terrabox.com/
[Posted in FML issue 4697]