The countdown has begun for the 2011 symposium, June 3 in Arizona. If you would like to be a part of the contributing force behind the IFC donations for ferret research being given at the symposium, to Dr. Robert Wagner of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Dr. Matti Kiupel of the University of Michigan, you still have time to do so! For those not familiar with the ferret research of these two vets, let me bring you up to speed. Dr. Wagner, is the man responsible for working with Peptech, Inc. the Australian drug company that created Deslorelin implants for ferrets. It was Doc Wagner's study results that prompted use and availability of the implant in the U.S. He has also been working with the GnRH Vaccine. Simply stated this is a vaccine that is administered to a ferret to prevent adrenal cortical disease (ACD). Ferrets allowed into this study could not have any clinical symptoms of the disease and had to be between the the ages of 1.5 and 4 YO. Results to date are promising for use of the GnRH vaccine as a tool for prevention of ACD. The other recent study conducted by Dr. Wagner was a Canine Distemper Virus titer study. Final conclusion of this study was that ferrets maintain a protective antibody titer for several years, after vaccination at four months of age. Dr. Kiupel works at the University of Michigan, specifically in the Ferret Health Advancement Center. MSU has been involved with ferret health for several decades and is the leading referral center for ill ferrets in Michigan, surrounding states and parts of Canada. Treatment is given at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. As you may have read in Brenda Weyr's post, Dr. Kiupel and his team worked tirelessly to help Brenda get to the bottom of the viral outbreak in her shelter, which Dr. Kiupels' team determined was indeed ECE. With his help she was able to save several of her shelter kids. Many tissue samples, or ferret bodies are sent to this lab for necropsy and analysis to determine cause of death and to learn more about the diseases found. Dr. Kiupel and his team are known for their work with ADV, ECE and other rota and corona viruses that effect ferrets. He is also studying lymphoma and adrenal disease in ferrets. For specific research information you may go to http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/Research.php You will see other vets, well known to the ferret community with whom Dr. Kiupel collaborates; Dr. Bruce Williams and Dr. Jerry Murray. This site also includes slides of various presentations. I happen to chose to look at the distemper presentation - it gave me some insight into the terrible conditions the kids at Washington Ferret Shelter are going through and what the volunteers who have dedicated their time, efforts and emotion to, are dealing with. These pics alone would encourage anyone to make a donation big or small to continue work to find a cure for the nasty canine distemper virus. Donations are being accepted until May 30, 2011. Pick a vet to receive your funds and acknowledge that choice in the comment section of pay pal or in the memo section of your check. Or ask your donation to be split between the two. The IFC has said they will match funds for both vets up to a [total of $1500]. So many in our ferret community have been most generous this year with all the challenges our families have seen. Please keep in mind, a donation to this research fund is a gift that will continue to give back to all of us who love and want the best health for our fuzzies. Checks may be sent to: Sharon Bearden, IFC 1245 Curtis Switch Rd Mineral Bluff, GA 30559 Or you can use Paypal and pay to [log in to unmask] http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3 [Posted in FML 7058]