From:
Danee DeVore
Date: 2001-07-24 18:32:00 UTC
Subject: Re: ADV Home Tests From Avecon
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., MC <MC@P...> wrote:
> It should be pointed out here that a positive result in the ELISA
test or the new home test is NOT positive for ADV, as it appears to
be written. It
> is only showing a positive for the ADV antibody. There is nothing
to suggest that because the antibody is present, that full blown ADV
will develop.
>
>
> MC
Again, be careful. While it is true that not every ferret that tests
positive for ADV will show symptoms, you should assume that any
ferret that tests positive for antibodies can spread the disease, and
take the necessary precautions.
Through PCR tests done at the U of GA we have shown that some of my
ferrets that test positive but show no symptoms have gone through
periods of shedding the virus. Viral DNA has been detected at
different times in the urine, feces, saliva and blood of some of my
ferrets, even when they are not sick.
There is still a lot that is not known about ADV, and so it is always
best to err on the side of caution.
Danee