From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-03-29 02:30:46 UTC
Subject: Post rewritten
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7027479.1080517833076.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I apologise for not yet getting those test particulars on Sherman. Life's been way too full recently.
We got good news on Sherman tonight: his liver was just fatty liver and his R adrenal growth was adenoma instead of any of the worse possibilities. This is better than any of us expected.
Our vet is checking to see which of the tick-borne diseases can be checked for in ferrets, and we have to monitor his unusual blood results, of course. Anyone who knows of pathology labs with such tests for ferrets, please, post.
We are having to restrict him because he is trying to be more active than he should this early on after surgery.
End of ferrethealth Digest
***********************************
To: "sukie crandall" <sukiec@optonline.net>,
"Ferret Health List" <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
From: "Danee DeVore" <Ferrets4all@aol.com>
cc: "DVM Bruce Williams" <williamsb@comcast.net>, sprite <sprite@ksu.edu>,
"Mike Janke" <mjanke@miamiferret.org>,
"Pam Sessoms" <pjdutche@email.unc.edu>
Message-ID: <40678A56.7010801@aol.com>
Permission to cross post this announcement is granted, and even encouraged.
This is somewhat of a good news/bad news announcement. The U of GA is
satisfied that they have perfected one of the ADV tests they have been
working on, and so they will now be offering it commercially.
Specifically, this is a test run on tissue samples that have been fixed
in formulin. A copy of the form needed to submit samples can be found at:
http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/SERVLAB.html
Samples must be submitted by a veterinarian, and there is now a fee for
testing tissue samples. The form includes instructions for submitting
the samples, and the fees.
This test is a DNA in situ hybridization to detect the DNA in tissues,
and is very accurate. In addition to the diagnostic results, any tissue
samples they receive may also be used for further ADV research. At this
time, they will no longer be using fresh and frozen tissue samples, though.
The bad news part of this announcement is that tissue samples from ADV+
and suspected ADV+ ferrets will no longer be tested free of charge by
the U of GA. Also, samples must now be submitted by a veterinarian, and
not just sent in by ferret owners. The goods news part is that since
this test is now being done commercially, there will be a fast turn
around time - no more long waits for the results. Also, it means we now
have yet another test in our arsenal in the fight against ADV. And,
finally, it means that moneys sent to U of GA for ADV research will no
longer be used in running test on tissue samples, but will go towards
other parts of the research program.
Blood samples will continue to be tested for free, for the time being.
While that test is almost ready to go commercial, they are still
collecting data and checking it out. When the blood test is
commercially available, though, they will no longer be offering free
blood testing, either
The new blood test will be a 2 part test. Results will show the exact
antibody titer, and will also include a positive or negative result for
viral DNA presence. When the viral DNA is present in the blood, it is
an indicator that the ferret is likely in a contagious state.
While I do not know exactly what the next phase of the research project
is, I do know from speaking with Dr. Branson Ritchie, the head of the
ADV Research Team, that they feel it is possible to create and ADV
vaccine, with time and enough money. Creation of the vaccine will be a
very high tech endeavor, and so will not be cheap. Therefore, money for
this research is still needed.
Any one that has questions about the tests that the U of GA offers can
feel free to email me directly at:
DaneeDV@aol.com
If I am unable to answer your questions, I will refer you to someone
that can.
-
Danee
International Ferret Congress Health Issues Coordinator
http://ferretcongress.org
ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!
For more information visit: http://www.ferretadv.com