From:
titania@frontiernet.net
Date: 2002-08-12 16:24:58 UTC
Subject: Re: HELP :Reaction to vaccines
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <21432227.1029167227545.JavaMail.root@scandium>
I brought my 3 ferrets to the vet this AM for their yearly distemper and rabies. Within 20 minutes 2 of them developed vomiting and diarrhea, progressing to bloody vomitus and diarrhea. I rushed both of them back to the vet. They are now being treated with fluids, temp. monitoring and (most likely) antihistamines. What is anyone's experience with the outcome? I am hoping rapid treament will save them. I am very upset. Any responses would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Mary
To: titania@frontiernet.net, ferrethealth@smartgroups.com,
ferret-list@cunyvm.cuny.edu
From: Sukie Crandall <sukiecrandall@telocity.com>
Message-Id: <p05111707b97d8e8f9837@[10.0.1.40]>
Okay, first rule of thumb: whenever a pet gets a vaccine ALWAYS wait
in the veterinary office for at least 45 minutes. Waiting much
longer is better since pets can not tell you is an eye is starting to
get itchy, if a hidden hive may be present, if swallowing is becoming
difficult, or if other early signs of a reaction are happening.
(This is the same reason allergists have people wait 20 minutes in
their offices after allergy shots.)
Not being able to get immediate veterinary care can reduce the
chances of good outcome, but fortunately, ferrets do usually survive
these anaphylactic allergic reactions.
Since both shots were given in the same visits you are stuck in the
situation where you don't know which vaccine the ferrets reacted to.
It's usually the CDV one, but not always. For that reason it is
almost always advised that the shots be given at separate times, and
to reduce the challenge the ferret is facing it is almost always
advised that those visits be separated by at least two weeks.
It is also usually recommended that ferrets be pre-treated with
Benedryl. Some vets prefer their clients to do this ahead of time,
while other vets prefer to give a Benedryl shot themselves beforehand.
The new Merial Purevax ferret canine distemper vaccine has in field
uses as well as the pre-release studies shown itself to have a
greatly reduced risk of causing life-threatening allergic reactions.
Yes, some still do react; that is true or anything. Some people die
if they eat common foods, or get commonly taken medications due to
such reactions. The reduction in risk is far better for ferrets,
though. It also is important that folks do their best to make this
economically a worthwhile venture by Merial to encourage further
medical improvements for ferrets.