Sukie wrote: >Judy, thank you and your ferrets so very, very much for supplying the >blood samples needed to help advance ferret veterinary care in relation >to ADV..." Sukie, I do want to say that other people have also donated their ferrets' blood, saliva and urine samples. There are too many to name, but I hope they will "stand up" and be counted here. I'm not doing this alone. There is NOTHING more important to me right now than getting this research done. This research is CRUCIAL! No one should ever feel that it's "can't happen to their ferrets", because you simply can never know what ferret may carry the virus. Most ADV positive ferrets never show symptoms, but can spread it. In fact, my Kodiak's test results from Dr. Stephon in PA were: "Negative for the antibodies" (what the CEP test from United tests for), but "positive for the antigens" (pieces of the virus). To me, this is incredibly scary because it means that ferrets can test negative, yet still spread the virus. I do know, however, that, right or wrong, some people were turned off by the arguing/finger pointing that went on between AFA/LIFE and several of the people involved with this current "outbreak" (for want of a better word) of ADV, and so have chosen not to contribute to the fund which was set up. I have been talking to one of the research vets, Dr. M.A. Stevenson in GA. She is a vet and a virologist. She is a very caring and compassionate woman and cares deeply about ferrets. She has great hopes that a vaccine can be developed...despite what most others say. In that regard, if any of you have hesitated to donate to the current research fund (not that I'm insinuating that there is any reason not to donate to that fund), there is an alternative. You can donate directly to Dr. Stevenson's team. She intends to do her very best to develop a vaccine, which I'm sure no one would argue that we need. She said that even donations of $10.00 can help purchase supplies as neither of the research teams are receiving funding from the current research fund. If you cannot afford to donate $10.00, PLEASE get together with a friend and each contribute $5.00. If you can't afford that, PLEASE find 9 friends and each contribute $1.00. You couldn't see me if I got down on my knees and begged, but I would do it in a heartbeat if you could. It's too late for my ferrets, but it's NOT too late for yours!!! The info is as follows (sent by Dr. Stevenson to me): "Checks can be made out to "University Foundation" and earmarked for "ferret ADV research program." You can send checks directly to me at M. A. Stevenson, DVM, PhD, DACVS 209A Vet Med Building Dept. of Small Animal Medicine UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Athens, GA 30602-7390 I will personally insure that they are deposited in the correct account and that you get official notice of the donation (which is tax deductible). I want to again thank you for anything you are able to collect for the research program. It all adds up and will make a tremendous difference in what we are able to accomplish for ferrets." From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for anything you can contribute. Judy [Posted in FML issue 3171]