>From: Jacqueline Snyder <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: Ferrets & Aids >For an HIV positive person, the descent into illness and the knowledge of >impending death is a terribly stressful time for that person, as well as >those around him. In time, this ferret breeder will become too sick to >care for his ferrets. He is unlikely to realize, for a time, that he >isn't able to care for them any longer, and during that period the ferrets >will probably be exposed to some degree of neglect. For example, there >may be jills that haven't been bred in too long. Or the breeder may have >had to cut down on expenses (AIDS is horribly expensive) and the ferrets >may have had a poor diet. They'll need rehabilitation, new homes, and may >need medical care. This is where you may be able to perform a considerable >humanitarian service, to the ferrets and to the breeder. Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately this breeder breeds the jills several times a year, does not vaccinate the kits, and has "accidentally" inbred siblings. I think the breeder will hang to the ferrets as long as possible as it is a "money maker". Ha ha - we all know this is false. >From: Andy Coghill <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Ferrets and HIV/AIDS >I'd say the greater danger is in the ferrets transmitting diseases to him! >Litter box time can be a deadly venture for a person with full-blown AIDS. Thanks Andy. This part didn't even sink in until you mentioned it. Are you referring to Toxoplasmosis or something else? Bacterial infections? E.coli? >From: "Bruce Williams, DVM" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Ferrets and HIV >The lentiviruses that cause HIV in humans do not infect ferrets. It is >even very difficult to infect apes, our closest animal relatives with the >HIV virus. Ferret lymphocytes do not possess the specific receptors which >would allow the HIV virus to enter the cell, and even if they did, it is >unlikely that they would be able to replicate. I don't think that there >is anything to worry about here - I would have no problem handling ferrets >raised by an HIV+ individual. Thanks so much, Dr. Williams. I really respect your opinions. Can you direct me to any studies of HIV/AIDS in ferrets that have been published? Others in my area are concerned with this issue as well. If I had a published paper to refer them to it will help a lot. [FY] [Posted in FML issue 3330]