From:
fhbythesea@aol.com
Date: 2001-07-13 03:42:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Re: Vaccine Reaction
In a message dated 7/13/01 12:40:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
trecianussbaumer@n... writes:
<< Just a heads up. One of my ferrets reacts to Fervac.
Injectable Beandryl 30 minutes before DID NOT help him.
The research me and my vet did on VIN.com seems to agree that giving
Benadryl before hand doesn't help. >>
I do my own vaccinations - since 1994. I've had reactions to Fervac-D, before
and after beginning protocol of premedication. As it has been explained to
me, the treatment of benadryl will not prevent a reaction, it buys you time.
In my case, time to get to a vet.
I made the decision to do my own vaccinations after discussing this with 2
vet clinics and their doctors. One is my usual vet, the other my 'emergency'
vet - he is located 2 blocks from my house.
My rules for vaccination are: No shots when the clinics aren't open, no more
than 3 ferrets receive shots at a time, I don't vaccinate sick ferrets, no
shots given within an hour of the clinic closing, no shots given when I have
people coming over or a busy schedule and finally, I only vaccinate those
ferrets in the shelter or my own. I give benadryl orally 30 minutes before I
vaccinate and I watch the ferret for the next hour after. My shoes are on,
carrier is at the door and keys/purse are on top of the carrier. I average
about 2 reactions a year, for whatever reason, out of the 100 or so ferrets
that I see every year. I pay extra to purchase my vaccines direct from United
and have them shipped overnight to my work address (I have a refrigerator) so
that they are always cold.
Since the majority are shelter ferrets with unknown history, there is no way
to track the why this one did and that one didn't. The last two were
cagemates and one was potentially life-threatening. But I will only use
Galaxy in the cases of reaction to Fervac. Now that Merial's distemper
vaccine is coming on the market, I will probably buy that exclusively and let
my supply of Fervac run out.
Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
www.ferrethaven.org