From:
daneedv
Date: 2002-01-02 19:24:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Hind End Weakness
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., krystal lichlyter
<critter_magnet@y...> wrote:
> Please forgive me for being illiterate to some of the
> medical terms you are using: What is ADV? My Chip is
> getting better, but not back to health yet. He's been
> on Pred for 4 days now, and although I can see some
> improvement, I don't want to be having false hopes.
> Is it a blood test, to test for ADV?
> Thanks for your patience.
ADV, or Aleutians Disease, is an autoimmune disease caused by a very
contagious virus. There are a number of different symptoms that it
may have, and hind end weakness is only one. With hind end weakness
caused by ADV, pred or dex are the most common treatments, and they
may cause some temporary improvement.
For more complete information on ADV, I recommend visiting the
following website. This site has information on the disease,
including articles by vets and researchers, articles by owners of
infected ferrets, and information on testing proceedures. The site
is:
http://www.geocities.com/russiansmom/index.html
There are several tests for ADV that are available commercially. The
one with the longest track record is the CEP test offered by United
Vaccines in WI. This test does require a small blood sample, but can
be submitted by owners. Because the sample needed is very small, it
can be obtained by clipping a claw short or pricking a footpad.
The other 2 tests are offered by Avecon Diagnostics. Both of the
Avecon tests can be run on either blood or saliva samples. The ELISA
test requires that a sample be sent to Avecon. There is also a POCT
(point of care test) that is similar to a home pregnancy test. POCT
(also called the Quicktest) can be ordered from Avecon. The Avecon
web address is:
http://www.avecon.com/advabelisa.html
I would like to add that the POCT is only valid if run correctly - ie
all directions are carefully followed. There was a situation
recently where someone had 5 ferrets tested by their vet using the
POCT. All 5 POCT tests showed a negative result. Samples were then
sent to Avecon and the ELISA was run - all 5 came up positive.
Apparently, the vet did not follow the instructions completely or the
kits were damaged. No test is 100% accurate, and the results are
only good if the test is run carefully.
Although I personally have more faith in the CEP, I think all of the
commercial tests are good, and are all fairly accurate. I urge
people to test with whichever one they feel most comfortable with.
If there are any questions or discrepancies, tests should be rerun.
Danee