Message Number: YG9352 | New FHL Archives Search
From: kath0524
Date: 2001-12-14 07:45:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Are annual vaccinations still necessary?

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Linda.Doran@a... wrote:
> I have two ferrets who are going on five who have been
> vaccinated every year who would normally be due for
> annual rabies and distemper boosters in January. Should
> I go ahead and take them in for their shots or give them
> a break for a year?

I personally would NOT skip the vaccinations.

Rabies: If your ferrets bite someone, you/they would be in a heap of
trouble with no up-to-date rabies vaccination. I don't think you
would want to risk their lives over something like that. Most states
allow a quarantine with proof of an up-to date vaccination. The
rabies vaccination protocol calls for an annual vaccination.

Distemper: You could feasibly have a titer test run to see if they
are still protected. If you are concerned with over-vaccinating,
then have the titer run. If it comes out OK, you can skip the
vaccination. Test again in another year.

Just my opinion.
Katharine