Message Number: YG5402 | New FHL Archives Search
From: ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2001-07-11 18:10:00 UTC
Subject: Re: distemper vaccines

In a message dated 07/11/01 4:08:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com writes:



So my questions are how necessary is it? Whats the risk if they go
with
out getting it? Whats the risk of a reaction if they do get it? Am
I
putting them in more harm not getting it? And if they do react to
it
what will they have to go through and what is done to keep them
from
reacting to it?


In my opinion, it is necessary to at least vaccinate them as babies,
a year
later, and then as indicated by their risk of exposure to distemper.
The
risks without vaccinating are a horrible illness and death, as
distemper in
ferrets is very, very nasty. You can have your veterinarian
pretreat before
vaccinating, and stay at your vets' office for at least a half hour
following
the vaccine. I do recommend that it be done.

Just an anecdotal thing here, with no scientific proof to it. I
have noticed
that ferrets who have the vaccine injection site massaged gently for
a couple
of minutes after the vaccine is given are less likely to react. Any
one else
noticed this?

Dr. Ruth
*****************************************
Save lives - spay or neuter your pet.