Aleutian Disease (ADV) is a highly contagious type of parvovirus, that causes an autoimmune response in the ferrets body. 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 weaken the blood vessel walls that they might leak.

The virus can be spread through feces, urine, saliva and other body fluids of an infected animal as well as through the air and contact with contaminated surfaces (dishes, clothes, etc.). Ferrets can carry the virus without showing symptoms, but they can still transmit the virus to other ferrets. The virus can survive for years in the environment outside of a hosts body.

Signs and Symptoms

The virus spreads within the tissues of multiple organs (kidneys, liver, spinal cord, bladder, etc.) resulting in inflammation. If inflammation is severe, the ferret will show signs of a disease relating to the infected organ.

ADV has often been described as a “wasting disease” characterized by chronic (long term) weight loss. A common manifestation is weakness or paralysis due to spinal cord damage, which progresses from the hind legs to the front legs. Other signs include lethargy, blood in stool, seizures, anemia, enlargement of liver or spleen, etc.

It’s important to point out that all of these signs/symptoms are also found in other common illnesses as well, making the diagnosis very difficult.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of ADV is usually made on clinical signs with a positive test result to rule out other possible diseases. A blood test called protein electrophoresis which tests for the marked increase in gammaglobulins (due to the immune response) that is sometimes seen with ADV infection, but this is not specific for ADV. Counterimmune electrophoresis (CEP or CIEP) is more specific in that it tests for antibodies to ADV, but not all ferrets that are infected will show clinical signs. Diagnosis can also be accomplished by microscopic examination of the ferrets tissues on post mortem exam.

Testing

There are currently no treatment options available for this disease. The only things you can do is treat the clinical signs and provide the best supportive care to the ferret including: syringe feeding, fluid therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.

Precautions

There are a number of things you can do to reduce the chances of your ferret from contracting this disease:

• Do not allow your ferret to come into contact with any other ferret if you do not know their ADV status.

• When handling other ferrets (shows, pet stores, breeders, shelters, friends, etc.), do NOT come into contact with your ferret until your hands are thoroughly sanitized, and all clothing is removed and washed.