From:
Ferret Wise Shelter
Date: 2002-09-26 18:38:19 UTC
Subject: re: premature vaccinations
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.0.14.2.20020926143341.00aaad50@mail.usaexpress.net>
Katherine wrote:
>Maybe this is common knowledge, but it's new to me. I would like to get
input.
>I am only talking now about farm-bred ferrets, such as MF or Path
Valley. I have always >heard that these ferrets purchased through pet
stores have received their first distemper >vaccination and are due for two
more, then one annually after that.
>I have recently read on another list that the distemper vaccination given
at the "farms" is >ineffective since it is given when they are too
young. They should be given 3 distemper shots >after purchase, not just two.
>I would like to clear this up in my own mind. For instance, I got a
little boy the end of July >who was only 4-5 months old, from MF. His
owner took him to my vet and said she didn't >want him anymore. Assuming
she had never gotten his vaccinations, we did two distemper >shots, 3 weeks
apart. Is he unprotected because I didn't do three?
Hi Katherine-
I think it is FAIRER to say we don't KNOW if extra label use - off label
use orf a vaccine will get an immune response.
This was one of the bases we covered in NH for the age of sale law-- the
recommended USDA Vaccines Fervac -D & Purevax are both approved and the
reccommended use is : administer at 8 weeks of age.
I personally contacted several vets & techs at USDA on the counter of
immature vaccination- and they refused to comment that it would be AS
Effective nor tat it would not. The fact that the USDA APPROVED vaccines
instruct 8 week administration- in my opinion qualifies that studies have
ben conducted showing that at THAT age the efficacy should be expected.
SO-- I don't know what to tell you- the shots might or might not work at a
younger age- and what about boostering an additional time- my recomendation
is a titer test after the boosters AND BEFORE administering an additional
one- and why? so that you do not prompt an anaphylactic reaction form too
high a titer --
The titer results will report if the ferret has a correct immune response
to protect it against distemper. Your vet may have to send it to a
different lab for the test to be run- but for me it would be worth it!
I will state forthright that off label use in this case vaccinating 5-6
week old kits for pet shop distribution and possibly exposing them to
canine distemper though puppies etc-- is a haphazard and careless method of
merchandising- AND if the mills had a conscience for the animals they
would hold them until the age of 8 weeks. That is unless you want to throw
out the USDA rulings.... then throw them out on everything else too!
Merchandising young animals while we all partake is a very cruel thing
...they should still be nursing at 6-8 weeks!
Alicia