From:
kath0524
Date: 2002-05-19 11:19:00 UTC
Subject: Re: ADV test kit
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Stephanie L. Boyce" <sboyce@m...>
wrote:
<A while back someone sent me the link to an ADV site where you
<could order and do the testing yourself. Is that recommended?
www.avecon.com
I'm glad you brought this up. I'm down to my last POCT kit. Took
in a stray on Friday. Negative with the saliva test.
I keep reading how unreliable the Avecon tests are. I have depended
on them to do a quick test before bringing strays into my home. I
have been lurking on the ADV list and it seems that no one has any
confidence in these tests (or Avecon in general). I'm debating
whether to even bother ordering any more. Dr. Stephon has
apparently stopped responding to inquiries, best I understand.
What is the general concensus out there? Is it worth the money the
tests cost to order them? Is the saliva test the best? I have read
that some people do the POCT saliva test and then send blood to
United for a second test. Again, what is the point of the POCT test
if it is deemed so unreliable that you have to test a second (and
third and fourth) time? Can I feel confident after a negative on
the POCT saliva test?
I have read of people who get a positive and then retest several
times and get negatives. At that point, they feel "safe". Do you
just keep testing until you get the results you want? It seems to
me that if you get a single positive test you should consider your
household (or shelter) infected. Or, does this again speak to the
unreliability of the tests?
It seems that there is a lot of disagreement on the best thing to do
but general agreement that the tests are not too reliable. I would
love input before ordering more test kits.
I'm not trying to start anything here. I just think that those of
us not experienced with ADV are quite confused and the message
coming from those experienced folks is that the tests are no good.
Thanks in advance for any responses. And, please respond in plain
English <g>.
Katharine