ADV Sample Collection for Testing for the GCFA World's Greatest Ferret Show on Earth
American Ferret Association sanctioned shows require ADV testing. The ONLY test accepted by the AFA is the Blue Cross Cep Test--a blood test. The test processing fee itself only costs $10 plus postage per ferret. If you are interested in showing your ferrets this year at the Greatest Ferret Show On Earth, or any other AFA sanctioned show, for convenience the GCFA has contacted several local veterinarians and has negotiated a technician fee of $20 per ferret for the blood draw and samples based on criteria detailed with the veterinarians below. Please read carefully because each veterinarian’s information may vary.
The ADV test is simple, but again the American Ferret Association only accepts one. General overview: A very small amount of blood is collected in tiny capillary tubes; the tubes are secured, labeled, wrapped for protection, packaged, and lastly mailed to the lab. Each sample should be wrapped separately and labeled with the ferret’s name for identification, but not directly on the tubes. The AFA has said samples do not need to be refrigerated, or overnighted, but it is best to mail next possible business day Priority. In summary, we would suggest:
1. Have the samples created during yearly blood work. If your ferret has already had its yearly exam, you can call to make your ADV blood sample collection appointment with your veterinarian or one listed in this email. You will want to confirm with the receptionist that the appointment is for the negotiated $20 technician fee--if the ferret qualifies. If the person on the phone is unaware, just ask to speak with the veterinarian listed or have them call you back to discuss, it could just be a miscommunication. Be clear, your vet is NOT performing the ADV test, simply providing you with the blood samples to mail.
2. When the veterinarian gives you the samples, it may be necessary to attach samples (if not already) to a small piece of cardboard (scotch tape should be fine) and label each sample. Attaching the tubes to a sturdy material will eliminate the tubes rubbing or bumping during transit.
3. Gently bubble wrap or newspaper wrap them together and place them in the smallest USPS flat rate shipping box or a box or your choice. The box will add protection.
4. There is a $10.00 lab fee per ferret. Include payment of check, money order or credit card information for the number of ferrets you are having tested. Example: Blood samples for five ferrets=$50. You will need to call to confirm what credit card information is needed at
208-678-5553.
5. Double check the address and mail that day or the next business day Priority Mail. Choose a quicker option if you are approaching a show entry deadline.
6. Results should be received in 2-3 weeks. If you do not receive the results in a timely fashion, call to make sure they were received. Choose the option to have the results mailed to you. You should also receive an emailed copy. Keep the original testing results in a safe place as you will need them for proof at check-in for each AFA show.
Here are links to the official Blue Cross Cep Test instructions:
http://www.ferret.org/read/CEP_testing.html
If you are not using one of the below vets, when making your appointment, you may want to speak directly to your veterinarian regarding the sample collections you need. I would suggest emailing or faxing a copy of the official instructions first for their review. However, once the samples are ready you should be able to leave with them from the appointment and mail them yourself. Packaging and mailing the samples yourself can save you money in comparison to having your vet handle the entire process and also make sure they are sent to the correct address. To reiterate, your vet is NOT performing the ADV test, simply providing you with the blood samples to mail to the lab in the link. Remember--if your vet tells you they do ADV testing, make sure they use the lab in the link! There are other ADV blood tests. This is the only one that is accepted by the AFA for their sanctioned shows.
The Negative test result is good for one entire year from the date of the testing results. The earlier you test the more AFA shows you will have the opportunity to register for throughout the year: Spring Nationals (PA), Spring Fling (PA), The Ferret 500 (IN), Ferret Buckeye Bash (OH), Midwest Ferret Fellowship Faire (MI), Greatest Ferret Show On Earth (IL), Dooktoberfest (VA), Winter Nationals (PA). By entering a ferret in the same Title or Specialty Class in four American Ferret Association shows within the same year, the ferret will qualify for prestigious AFA “Ferret of the Year” award for that class.
The following vets have been contacted by the GCFA and are willing to perform the ADV test blood collection and provide the samples with the following fees under the following guidelines:
Again, make sure you save the original results you receive by mail from the lab; you will need these for proof to enter each show. Your ferrets also need to be up-to-date on distemper and rabies vaccinations or proof of acceptable distemper titer results. This is for your ferret’s protection while being out in public. If your ferrets need vaccinating, never schedule both distemper and rabies vaccinations at the same time, but consider scheduling one of the vaccinations in conjunction with the ADV testing appointment. Costs will vary, please check with your veterinarian.
American Ferret Association sanctioned shows require ADV testing. The ONLY test accepted by the AFA is the Blue Cross Cep Test--a blood test. The test processing fee itself only costs $10 plus postage per ferret. If you are interested in showing your ferrets this year at the Greatest Ferret Show On Earth, or any other AFA sanctioned show, for convenience the GCFA has contacted several local veterinarians and has negotiated a technician fee of $20 per ferret for the blood draw and samples based on criteria detailed with the veterinarians below. Please read carefully because each veterinarian’s information may vary.
The ADV test is simple, but again the American Ferret Association only accepts one. General overview: A very small amount of blood is collected in tiny capillary tubes; the tubes are secured, labeled, wrapped for protection, packaged, and lastly mailed to the lab. Each sample should be wrapped separately and labeled with the ferret’s name for identification, but not directly on the tubes. The AFA has said samples do not need to be refrigerated, or overnighted, but it is best to mail next possible business day Priority. In summary, we would suggest:
1. Have the samples created during yearly blood work. If your ferret has already had its yearly exam, you can call to make your ADV blood sample collection appointment with your veterinarian or one listed in this email. You will want to confirm with the receptionist that the appointment is for the negotiated $20 technician fee--if the ferret qualifies. If the person on the phone is unaware, just ask to speak with the veterinarian listed or have them call you back to discuss, it could just be a miscommunication. Be clear, your vet is NOT performing the ADV test, simply providing you with the blood samples to mail.
2. When the veterinarian gives you the samples, it may be necessary to attach samples (if not already) to a small piece of cardboard (scotch tape should be fine) and label each sample. Attaching the tubes to a sturdy material will eliminate the tubes rubbing or bumping during transit.
3. Gently bubble wrap or newspaper wrap them together and place them in the smallest USPS flat rate shipping box or a box or your choice. The box will add protection.
4. There is a $10.00 lab fee per ferret. Include payment of check, money order or credit card information for the number of ferrets you are having tested. Example: Blood samples for five ferrets=$50. You will need to call to confirm what credit card information is needed at
208-678-5553.
5. Double check the address and mail that day or the next business day Priority Mail. Choose a quicker option if you are approaching a show entry deadline.
6. Results should be received in 2-3 weeks. If you do not receive the results in a timely fashion, call to make sure they were received. Choose the option to have the results mailed to you. You should also receive an emailed copy. Keep the original testing results in a safe place as you will need them for proof at check-in for each AFA show.
Here are links to the official Blue Cross Cep Test instructions:
http://www.ferret.org/read/CEP_testing.html
If you are not using one of the below vets, when making your appointment, you may want to speak directly to your veterinarian regarding the sample collections you need. I would suggest emailing or faxing a copy of the official instructions first for their review. However, once the samples are ready you should be able to leave with them from the appointment and mail them yourself. Packaging and mailing the samples yourself can save you money in comparison to having your vet handle the entire process and also make sure they are sent to the correct address. To reiterate, your vet is NOT performing the ADV test, simply providing you with the blood samples to mail to the lab in the link. Remember--if your vet tells you they do ADV testing, make sure they use the lab in the link! There are other ADV blood tests. This is the only one that is accepted by the AFA for their sanctioned shows.
The Negative test result is good for one entire year from the date of the testing results. The earlier you test the more AFA shows you will have the opportunity to register for throughout the year: Spring Nationals (PA), Spring Fling (PA), The Ferret 500 (IN), Ferret Buckeye Bash (OH), Midwest Ferret Fellowship Faire (MI), Greatest Ferret Show On Earth (IL), Dooktoberfest (VA), Winter Nationals (PA). By entering a ferret in the same Title or Specialty Class in four American Ferret Association shows within the same year, the ferret will qualify for prestigious AFA “Ferret of the Year” award for that class.
The following vets have been contacted by the GCFA and are willing to perform the ADV test blood collection and provide the samples with the following fees under the following guidelines:
Again, make sure you save the original results you receive by mail from the lab; you will need these for proof to enter each show. Your ferrets also need to be up-to-date on distemper and rabies vaccinations or proof of acceptable distemper titer results. This is for your ferret’s protection while being out in public. If your ferrets need vaccinating, never schedule both distemper and rabies vaccinations at the same time, but consider scheduling one of the vaccinations in conjunction with the ADV testing appointment. Costs will vary, please check with your veterinarian.