From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-12-01 23:47:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Important question about VACCINES
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., star_1977_cl@y... wrote:
Dear Soledad?
> 1. Which dog vaccines are safer for ferrets? Can you name them? I
> know they can't be produced in ferret tissue and I think they must
be a modified live virus.
Naming the products doesn't mean that they are available in Chile -
only a local vet can tell you exactly which ones are available.
However, it doesn't matter - as long as you stick to the guidelines
which you just mentioned, an attenuated MLV which is not grown in
ferret tissue, you should do fine.
>
> 2. What is the best: to vaccine the ferret with a dog vaccine that
> contains other viruses than can compromise the ferret health or not
> to vaccine him against distemper and hope for the best.
Vaccinate him with a 5-way, absolutely! We did this for years before
Fervac ever came on the market with no problems. Yes, he'll be
vaccinated for a couple of diseases he can't really catch, but he'll
be protected against distemper.
>
> 3. If I live in an appartment building where is not allowed to have
> cats or dogs an the ferret will be indoors all the time except for
> the visits to the vet, what are the chances that he gets distemper?
> I know the virus can travel through air and clothes but what are
the
> real chances?
Antoehr question I can't answer. It really depends on how many
people get their dogs routinely vaccinated against distemper in
Chile, and the numbers of wild or stray dogs around your apartment.
Without knowing more about the level of veterinary care in Chile, I
would not want to lead you astray.
Best idea - get that 5-way vaccine, or better yet, if available, a
puppy distemper shot (in the states, they used to manufacture a
distemper only product for very young puppies. I don't think it is
available any longer in the states, but it may be in Chile.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM