The Aleutian disease, which was recognized in ranch minks around 1956, is an extremely contagious parvovirus that affects mustelids. It causes a spontaneous abortion and eventually death in ferrets and minks. The disease can be transferred through a ferret’s body fluids, which can lie dormant for up to two years.

Diagnosis is made by an IFA (Immunoflourescent antibody) test and CEP (Counterimmunoelectrophoresis) blood test.

There is no known treatment for the Aleutian disease. However, prevention can be made by stopping the spread of the virus.

Although the virus can lay dormant, it can become active when the ferrets experience injury or stress. It does not affect the ferret host, but can result to renal failure, systemic vasculitis, bone marrow suppression and death. Symptoms of Aleutian Disease include lethargy, seizures, black stool, anemia, enlarged spleen, rear-leg weakness and chronic, progressive weightloss. However, once the symptoms become evident, the disease dramatically progresses and usually causes death within several weeks.

The Aleutian disease virus causes this condition.