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Aleutian mink disease is caused by a parvovirus, genus Amdoparvovirus. This singlestranded
DNA virus is non-enveloped and therefore, like canine and feline parvoviruses, extremely resistant. Minks, but also ferrets, skunks, otters, raccoons, foxes etc. can be affected by this disease.
The virus triggers an immune complex-mediated disease which is mainly characterised by hypergammaglobulinaemia. The symptoms vary: Young animals tend to develop pneumonia, adult animals develop glomerulonephritis, arteritis, and/or meningoencephalitis.
Hind leg paresis and fertility disorders have further been described. The
outcome is often lethal.
As there is currently no vaccine available, many ferrets are vaccinated with dog vaccines;
it is unlikely that this will provide protection against an infection with the Aleutian
mink disease virus.
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