VACCINATIONS/ADV

AFA'S VACCINATION PROTOCOL

AFA's Vaccination Protocol
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Ferrets require two vaccinations: Rabies and Canine Distemper. Only three vaccines are recognized by the USDA as safe and effective in ferrets:

IMRAB-3 for rabies and FERVAC-D or Meriel's PureVax for distemper.

The following vaccination protocol should be followed:

Canine Distemper - Given at 8, 11 and 14 weeks, then annually thereafter. For older ferrets with unknown vaccination history, vaccinate twice over a two week period, then annually thereafter.

Rabies - Given at 3 months, then annually thereaafter.

FERRET ALEUTIAN DISEASE VIRUS (ADV)

What is ADV?

ADV is a highly contagious parvovirus that is spreading throughout the ferret population both in the U.S. and abroad. ADV in ferrets is characterized by a persistent viral infection and marked hypergammaglobulinemia, mainly due to the formation of non-neutralizing antibodies and continuous stimulation of the immune system. Simply put, ADV is a virus that causes an autoimmune response in the ferret’s body. Many people liken it to HIV and AIDS in humans. ADV differs from AIDS, though, because it is very hardy, it can survive outside a host body for at least several years. Also, while AIDS suppresses the immune system, ADV puts it into overdrive. With ADV, it is not the virus that damages the organs leading to sickness and possibly death, but the ferret's immune system. The virus causes the immune system to produce antibodies that fail to fight off the virus. Because the virus remains, the body continues to produce the antibodies. Over time, the antibodies form a plaque that deposits in the organs and along the blood vessel walls, causing the organs to malfunction, and possible the blood vessel wall to weaken and leak.

ADV can be spread very easily, i.e. through feces, urine, saliva and other body fluids. Humans can spread ADV through casual contact with multiple ferrets such as that which occurs in shelters or at shows. Also, like AIDS, an infected ferret can spread ADV even though it is not showing any outward symptoms. So, the ADV is still present and infectious, long after a puddle of urine has dried. Also, ADV can become attached to dust particles, and as the dust becomes airborne, it gets moved around as a results.

Symptoms:

What might cause one ferret to succumb to the virus may not affect another ferret. However, direct contact with an infected ferret is not required to spread the disease. The actual ADV virus is not always present in the fluids. Much of the time it is only in the organs, and during those times the ferret is not contagious. The good news about ADV is that some ferrets seem to have a natural immunity, and ferrets with ADV do not continually shed the disease.

Stress conditions can exacerbate symptoms and potentiate expression of the virus. Most infected ferrets remain asymptomatic until shortly before death. Non-specific signs include lethargy, anorexia. Ataxia and paraparesis may be seen classically in chronic cases (but occasionally in very acute cases as a premonitory sign) due to accumulations of inflammatory cells within the spinal cord. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and/or leukopenia, cutaneous hemorrhages, and secondary infections may be seen in various combinations in end stage disease. Gross lesions are seen only late in the course of disease

Testing and Treatment:

ADV Antibody can be detected as early as 2 weeks post infection. The PCR test (done by the University of Georgia), will detect the presence of the virus in the fluids, but those tests are only good for the point in time when the sample is collected. There have been times when a ferret’s urine might have the virus present, but the feces and blood from that same ferret don't. The ELISA test done by Avecon Diagnostics uses saliva samples that looks for the presence of one specific protein that is only present if the virus is active and replicating. Since ADV can go dormant for long periods of time, though, there may be times when the antibodies will be there but that one protein will not. The ferret still has ADV, and can still spread it, but you will get a negative ELISA result. The CEP (counterelectrophoresis) test done by Blue Cross Animal Hospital (United no longer is ADV testing) uses blood samples that looks for several proteins, and gives a positive result if any one of them is present. Therefore, whether the virus is active or dormant, the CEP will detect it. The CEP test is probably the most reliable test available today.

It is important to realize: No test is 100% accurate. That is one of the reasons it is recommended that you run a test every year on your ferrets. Complete quarantine of newcomers for at least 2 weeks is always the best idea, during which time you can test your newcomer for ADV and if your other ferrets haven't been tested lately you can test them too. Ferrets found to be positive for ADV Antibody should be isolated as suspected carriers of the disease.

There is no current treatment for Aleutian disease in the ferret, nor is there a vaccine for this disease. Supportive therapy may prolong life; however most cases are not diagnosed until late in the course of disease, and infected animals may serve as a source of infection for other ferrets.

~FERRET ADV TESTING~

Blue Cross Animal Hospital	Avecon Diagnostics, Inc.
CEP (Counterelectrophoresis) test Uses Blood	ELISA test Uses Saliva
Blue Cross Animal Hospital ATTENTION: Dr Blau - CEP TESTS 401 N Miller Ave Burley, ID 83318 Include: Clinic name, address, phone, fax number and a contact person. (208) 678-5553	Avecon Diagnostics, Inc. 501 Grouse Dr. PO Box 8 Bath, PA. 18014 (800) 249-5875 Fax # (215) 453-0714 info@avecon.com
Charge for each sample is $10.00. Enclose with each shipment a check, money order or credit card information (card holder name, card number and expiration date).	Charges are $15.00 each test.
Prior to shipping your samples, call Customer Service at (208) 678-5553

~HOW TO TEST FOR ADV YOURSELF~

SALIVA

1. Using a regular cotton swab, gently swab the gums and mouth area for one (1) minute.
2. Place the swab into a plastic tube containing approximately 1 cc (1 mL) saline.
3. Swirl the swab in the saline for three (3) minutes.
4. Cap the tube and send via air or overnight mail.
*Samples may be stored refrigerated for up to one week before shipment.

BLOOD

1. Disinfect a set of toenail clippers using a parvocide.
2. Carefully clip in the "pink" region of the nail.
3. Hold a heparinized capillary tube* to the clipped toenail and fill at least 1/2 of the tube with blood.
4. Seal one end of the tube with sealing clay.
5. Send via regular mail or other carrier.
*Vacutainers for serum and/or plasma (EDTA, Citrate or Heparin) are also acceptable.
*Samples may be stored refrigerated for up to three days before shipment.

~AVECON DIAGNOSTICS ELISA (SALIVA) ADV TEST ORDER FORM~

Today’s Date:

Name:

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Order Table

Sample 1. Ferret Name:

Sample 2. Ferret Name:

Sample 3. Ferret Name:

Sample 4. Ferret Name:

Sample 5. Ferret Name:

Sample 6. Ferret Name:

Sample 7. Ferret Name:

Sample 8. Ferret Name:

Sample 9. Ferret Name:

Sample 10. Ferret Name:

How Would You Prefer Your Results Reported? (select all that apply)

Mail

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Total # of Samples:

Cost per Test:

Prices: $15.00 per test (saliva or blood). Print a blank version of this form and make multiple copies for more than 10 specimens sent at one time.

All Pennsylvania shipments
Add 6% sales tax:

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(When ordering by credit card, you must sign this form after printing and prior to faxing or mailing to Avecon.)

Thank you for your order. We look forward to helping you.

	LEIZEL'S WEASELS SARA HAMILTON RICHLAND, WA. INFO@LEIZELSWEASELS.COM
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