katharine <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >I am disturbed with statements that is it now considered "okay" to >relocate unvaccinated and untested ferrets based on the Ohio rescue. >That rescue was unprecedented and I think everyone agrees now that >they should have been vetted prior to leaving the holding facility. >The risk of spreading disease all over the country was great and it >could have been catastrophic to the ferret population. Fortunately, >it seemed to work out okay, but the results could have been far >different. While I would agree that it is probably safer for every one concerned if ferrets that are scheduled for transport are up to date on vaccinations and have been tested for ADV, I do not see those as a reason for not doing a transport. If everyone involved knows all the specifics, then necessary precautions can be taken to minimize risk of exposure. Unfortunately for unvaccinated ferrets, there is not only the concern that they might be carrying a disease like CDV and exposing other ferrets - they are also at risk to exposure. There are so many animals that can get or carry CDV. And, CDV is something that can be carried in on shoes if a person walks over an area where an infected animal had urinated of defecated. With ADV, if a ferret is untested, then it should be treated as if it is carrying ADV. I can tell you from personal experience that ADV can be very contagious if an animal has it and is shedding the disease. I have every intention of doing everything in my power to make sure none of my ferrets are every exposed to ADV again. That said, I myself would be willing to help transport ferrets that were ADV+ or were of unknown status as long as I was told of the situation up front, and knew that everyone involved in the transport had also been advised of the situation. Knowing that ferrets are untested (and therefore might have ADV), I could cover the back of my SUV in plastic, as well as tenting plastic over the carrier. That way, after the transport, I could remove and throw away the plastic, and take the clothes I wore for the transport directly to our laundry room to be washed, and also shower myself before handling my own ferrets. I feel these are minimal precautions that would need to be taken to protect my own ferrets. And, these precautions should also be enough to protect my ferrets if one of the transportees had CDV. I guess what bothers me about the current situation is not that it is happening, but that when a message was posted asking people for help, full disclosure was not given. Now, it may have just been an oversight on the part of the person who originally posted about the transport, but the response from the receiving shelter sounded like facts were being covered up, and no answer about the ferrets' status was ever really given. I hope that people who are volunteering to help in the transport will be fully advised of all necessary facts. And, like you said in your original post, when asking for help with any transport that kind of information should be provided up front. Lori certainly did that with the DMK ferrets, and knowing that the ferrets were unvaccinated and untested, she still had a number of people willing to help with the care and transport of the ferrets. But, the volunteers went into it with their eyes open, and knew what they would need to do to protect their own ferrets. That is what is most important. Knowledge is power. Danee DeVore ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know! For more information visit: http://www.ferretadv.com ADV - Find out how you can help: http://help4adv.terrabox.com/ [Posted in FML 6165]