From:
sebestianpup@yahoo.com
Date: 2001-05-18 23:00:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Are we over vaccinating our ferrets?
For some reason, my last attempt to post did not work, so we'll see
how this goes!!
Thanks Sukie for printing this. Another feeling that I have on this
subject is that even when the local athorities do uphold the
compendium, unvaccinated animals are not allowed to be "home
quarantined". What I mean by this is that an animal that is current
on rabies vaccination usually gets quarantened at home for 10 days,
with three visits to the veterinarian. Those not current are
quarantined at a veterinary office or a humane society. Besides the
much larger bill, the stress to some ferrets may be too much.
Especially if one was forced to be kept in a place like a humane
society where they might not notice the ferret is not eating, or has
signs of ulcers. It also may be a source for the distemper virus. As
far a rabies is concerened, I think that unless the reaction is
severe, it is better to vaccinate. Oh, and I have been vaccinated
more recently than my "baby shots". I would rather be over-vaccinated
with rabies than to die of the disease! Have you ever seen a case of
tetnus? I have and even though it can be treated, I'd rather have
more frequent vaccinations than come down with that.
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Sukie Crandall <sukiecrandall@t...> wrote:
> The sections below my note are exerts from the current version of the
> Compendium of Animal Rabies Control.
>
> Note that when I checked with all of the states in 1998 to see how
> they were following the Compendium the differences were consistently
> toward being even more careful than the Compendium, so states may
> absolutely require such precautions as annual vaccinations to avoid
> death or a 6 month quarantine. You can find out about your own state
> regulations from your State Public Health Veterinarian in charge of
> rabies policy. There are variations among the individual states.
>
> Note the paragraph about possible exposures.
> ----------
>
> ANY ANIMAL POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO RABIES VIRUS (See Part III, A. 1.
> Rabies Exposure) BY A WILD, CARNIVOROUS MAMMAL OR A BAT THAT IS NOT
> AVAILABLE FOR TESTING SHOULD BE REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN EXPOSED TO
> RABIES.
>
> a) DOGS, CATS, AND FERRETS
> Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal should
> be euthanized immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this
> done, the animal should be placed in strict isolation for 6 months
> and vaccinated 1 month before being released. Animals with expired
> vaccinations need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Dogs,
> cats, and ferrets that are currently vaccinated should be
> revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner's control, and
> observed for 45 days.
>
> and
>
> 6) MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS THAT BITE HUMANS
>
> a) A healthy dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person should be
> confined and observed daily for 10 days; administration of rabies
> vaccine is not recommended during the observation period. Such
> animals should be evaluated by a veterinarian at the first sign of
> illness during confinement. Any illness in the animal should be
> reported immediately to the local health department. If signs
> suggestive of rabies develop, the animal should be euthanized, its
> head removed, and the head shipped under refrigeration (not frozen)
> for examination of the brain by a qualified laboratory designated by
> the local or state health department. Any stray or unwanted dog, cat,
> or ferret that bites a person may be euthanized immediately and the
> head submitted as described above for rabies examination.