From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2001-12-14 05:46:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Are annual vaccinations still
necessary?
Hi, Linda,
Again, I am not a vet, but I have discussed this with my vet.
>
> 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?
In most cases they should be vaccinated.
In the case of distemper vaccinations my vet is convinced that they do
last more than a year, but he doesn't know how long beyond one year and
there is not enough clinical evidence to determine that.
In the case of rabies it's really cut and dry: the chance of your
ferrets contracting rabies is close to nil. What you are protecting them
from is someone claiming that your ferrets bit them. If they are not
current on their rabies vaccines they will be killed and tested.
Considering that people have called play nips or scratches "bites", I
wouldn't risk it with mine.
The only exception to the above is if either of your guys has a medical
problem at the moment. My Pertwee hasn't been vaccinated, but he will
be as soon as our vet is convinced he is 100% healthy again. I know my
two seven year olds got their shots, and they will next year too if they
are still healthy.
All the best,
Caity and the terrific 10