Bob C. Wrote: >The other thing about ADV which scares me is when the symptoms start being >expressed, they can easily be misdiagnosed as a non-specific wasting >disease, insulinoma, cardiomyopathy, renal disease and a host of other >deadly things. It is possible many cases of ADV have been (and will be) >misdiagnosed, and animals which are spreading the disease are still coming >into contact with healthy ferrets. So, like when AIDS first hit in the >USA, it can take a long time for the full extent of the disease to be >known. Bob, thank you for pointing out this very important factor -- and why anytime I see a ferret in my shelter with these symptoms, the ferret is immediately isolated, cage is disinfected with a parvocide, and tested for ADV. While the CEP test from United is not perfect, I am now using it as a 'rule-out' for diagnosis. For instance when Silk became ill, she exhibited many of the symptoms of ADV - lethargy, wasting, high kidney/liver values, blood tests showed extremely high white cell counts and low red cells. Her ADV test was negative and her final diagnosis was leukemia. I urge anyone who has a ferret exhibiting any of the symptoms that Bob has described to please test your ferret - if for nothing else than to know that you haven't been exposed. I do have some information in regards to ADV on my website and would be happy to add any additional info from anyone. Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea" http: www.ferrethaven.org Want to help The Ferret Haven By-the-Sea? Register at iGive.com by cutting and pasting this link: http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?CID=1236&MID=854 [Posted in FML issue 3186]