From:
katharine
Date: 2002-02-09 15:23:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Confirmatory tests for Aleutian disease
Thank you, Danee, for a little further
explanation. So, if I understand you correctly,
you are recommending testing "healthy" ferrets
once a year. And, it seems, due to possible human
error, it might be best for our vets to taken the
sample and submit it for analysis??? But, this
really shouldn't be done at the same time as
vaccinations because that could skew the
readings? Or, could the sample be taken and the
vaccination given immediately afterward? If it
can be done as as part of an annual exam, it might
be more palatable.
<Each of the commercial tests has its strong
points and its drawbacks. The
<POCT has the greatest chance of falling victim to
human error, since it is being
<administered for the most part by laypeople. The
CEP is read by a human, and
<if that person is tired or having eyestrain, they
may misread the result. Also, if
<the samples are collected by the owner clipping
claws short, there is a chance
<for cross contamination. The ELISA uses saliva,
which means collecting the
<sample is less stressful for the ferret. It is
also read by a machine, so there is
<less chance of error there. But, there may (and
I stress may because it has not
<been proved) be a chance that the protein it
tests for will not be present if the
<disease is in remission.
So, which test are you recommending? It seems you
prefer the ELISA. Is that correct?
<I understand the frustration people feel over the
testing issues. But, that really
<isn't an excuse not to test. You do the best you
can with what is available.
I can't say that anyone is using this as a
excuse. I have tested mine. I just don't feel
confident in the results. And, this is confirmed
by your statement above, that the POCT has the
greatest chance of failure. Not too long ago, it
was being recommended that everyone (including
shelters) keep a supply of these on hand to test
on intake. What is being recommended now? I'm
not a shelter but I do take in strays. Boarding
while awaiting a test result is not practical, in
my opinion. The animal is already under stress
from being displaced, not to mention the cost
involved. So, the POCT is better than nothing?
Just trying to get a grasp on things.
Katharine