For any readers out there that have not gotten their issues or do not subscribe to Ferrets Magazine -- there is a VERY INFORMATIVE article updating readers on ADV (Aleutian Disease Virus) which affects not only ferrets but now has been found in living and dreceased pet skunks. It is possible that ADV may be passed from one species to the other in pet homes with both ferrets and skunks! "Heartbreak & Hope "- (IMO) a well titled article, was written by one of our most experienced caretakers of ADV ferrets, Danee DeVore found herself in the middle of ADV when she took back a ferret which she had placed with an individual. It destroyed her ambitions of breeding wonderful ferrets ( I know how wonderful they were I had acquired some) and thrust her selflessly into a quest to find answers and a solution to the ferret ADV epidemic. Danee has once again attempted to share her wealth of knowledge with ferret community in this progress report on the road to finding a cure to this dreadful disease. Please read this article and pass it on. I did I mailed a copy of this magazine to our State Veterinarian. Though not nearly enough vets take ADV seriously, and even fewer ferret owners take seriously the need to test for ADV it can impact the lives of our pets seriously- rendering ill ferrets an inability to respond to protocol medical treatments, possibly spreading this viral contagion to unsuspecting ferret ( and pet skunk) households and more. In this issue of Ferrets Magazine ( May/June 2006) answers to many questions are revealed in text that average owners can easily understand. Some questions answered are: what is ADV, how does ADV affect ferrets, where to get ADV testing done, what is needed to prevent ADV, how far to a cure for ADV. It is possible to develop a vaccine for ADV prevention and ultimately erradication. THIS IS IMPORTANT stuff and though it is a time consuming and financially burdening process.... the fear of ADV erradicating ferrets as we know them today ( it IS a possibility) would be a thing of the past. Dr Branson Ritchie ( head if the U of GA research team) who has been instrumental in the isolation and progress of testing development has projected that a cost of $240,000.00 or $60,000.00 a year for four years would be the cost of developing a vaccine. That seems like a huge amount of money to all of us BUT when you divide it up with the number of current subscribers on the FML it amounts to about $25.00 per person for 4 years. Now, I don't know about you but it seems that an investment of $25.00 per year times 4 years is a great savings over the costs of vetting an ADV ferret. It is also cheaper than the office call and one vaccination for either canine distemper or rabies for any ferret. ADV is a real threat to the ferret community. I encourage those who are not familiar with ADV to take a few moments - invest in purchasing a copy of the magazine - sign up for the [log in to unmask] list and strongly consider helping to make a stand to develop MUCH NEEDED vaccine. Right now money is the only barrier to isolating this disease from the ferret community. Please remember if your not testing your ferrets-- you don't know if they already have ADV - it is a hidden tragedy until it is advanced and consuming the ferrets. Alicia Drakiotes,www.ferretwise.org animal advocate and a friend to ferrets [Posted in FML issue 5210]