[Judy ... White Russian's Mom ... OUTLAW50@AOL.COM writes...] I forwarded some of the most recent posts on to Dr. Stevenson and asked if she would like to reply. She asked me to post the following: "The members of the Ferret ADV Research Group at the University of Georgia are committed to compassionate science. During the development of diagnostic assays for ADV in ferrets, we plan to use body fluid samples donated by interested ferret owners. We do not recommend, however, anesthesia for blood sampling in ill ferrets merely for the purpose of our testing. If serum or urine samples are required by the sick ferret's regular veterinarian for the purposes of deciding on appropriate clinical treatment, then we appreciate receiving a small portion (100-500 microliters) of the sample for our testing purposes. Additionally, any ferret owners whose pet ferrets die or are euthanatized due to possible ADV and have a necropsy examination done by their regular veterinarian are welcome to donate tissues such as lymph nodes and liver. We will test these tissues for the presence of ADV viral DNA. Any parties interested in donating to these efforts are welcome to send checks to The University Foundation ear-marked for the Ferret ADV Research Group and for research NOT involving EXPERIMENTALLY infected ferrets. The development of a vaccine is primarily done by manipulating proteins and DNA in the laboratory. That part does not involve animals. However, at some point, potential vaccines must be tested for efficacy in the species for whom they are intended. At this point, ferrets would be vaccinated and then challenged with virus to see if the vaccine protected them from disease. We can certainly understand that some people may feel ill at ease with these types of studies. We feel it is necessary to test vaccines carefully in order to protect pet ferrets the best we can from problems such as the reactions seen with the distemper vaccine. Since we understand that some ferret enthusiasts may not want their donations to fund these studies, we are happy (as mentioned above) to receive ear-marked donations that will go into a separate account for studies not involving experimentally infected animals. We hope that those folks who want to see a serious attempt made at developing a vaccine will consider their donations being used for this purpose, but it is definitely not a requirement for participating in the fight against ADV. As Danee DeVore pointed out in an earlier posting, use of donations made to the University of Georgia Ferret ADV Research Group are not governed by a ruling body. Decisions concerning appropriate use of the research funds are made by Dr. Ritchie and me. We both have experience practicing veterinary medicine (as well as doing research), and I continue to practice small animal general surgery at UGA. We both make our patients and their owners our priorities. Our work is driven by our desire to help ferrets. I can assure anyone that our decisions about spending research dollars are made thoughtfully and carefully. We are also very supportive of the AFA ADV fund as the projects that fund will ultimately finance are projects that will benefit ferrets. We encourage ferret enthusiasts to be generous in giving to the ADV effort with which they feel most comfortable. We are all striving for the same goals. Further questions about donations can be directed to Dr. M. A. Stevenson masteven@vet.uga.edu

ADV Research...using ferrets? Sukie wrote: "Danee, Some of the list members say that they will give ONLY to research that does not infect or sacrifice ferrets as with the current U of GA project." * * * * * I really feel a need to respond to this. This is directed to those people who "will give ONLY to research that does not infect or sacrifice ferrets". I'm not a research vet, nor a scientist and am probably not intelligent enough to be if I wanted to, BUT... Would the people who made that comment please tell me what you would do to learn about ADV (determine the exact incubation period, the times during which ferrets can shed the virus, why some ferrets get sick and die and some never do, come up with a vaccine, and so on, and so on, and so on...there is almost NOTHING actually known about this disease...*I* know...I've asked everyone) without infecting laboratory animals and tracking the disease process, shedding process, testing potential vaccines, etc.? I don't much care for laboratory animals being used for some types of testing, but there is only ONE way to my knowledge that you can research a disease and vaccine for ferrets, and that's by using live laboratory ferrets. We have a distemper vaccine that has proven "effective" in vaccinating ferrets against distemper. How do you suppose that came about? How do you suppose the shedding period for rabies was found? I have a pretty strong "suspicion" that live laboratory ferrets were used. Maybe you would prefer that things stayed the way they were in the past? After all, no one knew the shedding period for rabies in ferrets, so ferrets that bit were killed and their heads sent off for testing. Is that what you wanted? Would you prefer that distemper could just kill the majority of your pet ferrets? Would you want YOUR ferret killed because it nipped someone? Would you want your entire group of babies to die horrible deaths from distemper? Just as long as no laboratory ferrets were used...it would be o.k., right? Let's say someone came up with what they "thought" would work as a vaccination against distemper in ferrets, although no one would know just what effect it would have on ferrets since you don't want testing done on live laboratory ferrets. So, how about if some of this "untested" vaccine is sent to YOUR vet to "try" on your ferrets...YOUR babies? Would you volunteer them? I'm assuming that you *do* want your ferrets protected against distemper...but don't want lab animals used to make that possible...right? It's truly sad that some ferrets will have to get sick and die to find vaccines, cures, treatments, but that's how it is, folks. I don't *like* it any better than you do, but the alternative is MUCH worse. Please... think about what you're saying! I *can* guarantee each of you one thing...when YOUR ferrets get ADV, you'll WISH someone had tested lab animals to find a vaccine or cure. You'll WISH someone had tested lab animals to find out how easily this virus is spread, what the incubation period is, what the different titer levels of antibodies mean in relation to symptoms, and so on, and so on. I absolutely guarantee you that. When it's YOUR turn to call every leading vet in the country and hear from each and every one... "We just don't know". "There IS no treatment or cure that we know of." "We don't KNOW if your ferrets are going to live or die, nor do we know how soon your ferrets will die if they're going to." "We don't KNOW what pain they may or may not be in, or what organs will be destroyed." So, before you flame me...walk a mile in my shoes first. And walk a mile in my shoes before you refuse to give to research that uses live ferrets. Judy...White Russian's Mom OUTLAW50@AOL.COM

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