Message Number: SG2261 | New FHL Archives Search
From: FHbytheSea@aol.com
Date: 2002-11-16 20:13:50 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: vaccine reactions
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <46.311643c3.2b0800fe@aol.com>

I must have had a very unusual ferret...I don't know if I have related his
case here before. We had a 4 month old ferret come into the shelter - I
vaccinated him with Fervac-D and he had a mild reaction to the vaccine about
5 minutes after giving him the shot.

I order my shots directly from United and have them shipped overnight to my
work where they are refrigerated (in the original shipping package) until I
leave for home. They then go into the fridge at home. I premedicate all of my
ferrets.

We decided based on his reaction to have my vet vaccinate him for his last
shot. My vet has Merial Purevax CDV on hand and that is what they used. They
gave him the shot and 2 hours later, he had an extremely violent reaction -
bloody diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, fast shallow breathing, etc.
They stabilized him and kept him for the rest of the afternoon.

I didn't recommend to his new family that he receive any more shots - rabies
or even Galaxy...and I don't believe that his case is that unusual - Merials'
Purevax has not been on the market that long and I do think that the more it
is used, the more reactions will be reported.

Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
www.ferrethaven.org