From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2002-08-12 18:38:03 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] HELP:Reaction to vaccines
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20020812143803.1ea88855.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
Hi, Mary,
> 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'm very sorry this happened. Unfortunately you'e learned two important
lessons the hard way:
1) Always separate rabies and distemper shots. Two weeks apart is
optimal according to our vet.
2) Always wait 60 minutes after a vaccination at the vet's office. Most
reaction occur quickly, but I've had one an hour later.
I've had reactions like you describe in a couple of my ferts to their
rabies shots, and one far worse: anaphylactic (sp?) shock, where the
ferret is unconscious and in shock just minutes after the vaccination.
That reaction was life threatening.
> What is anyone's
> experience with the outcome? I am hoping rapid treament will save
> them.
They are probably not in danger of dying at this point. In addition to
fluids and benadryl, our vet gives a shot of dexamethasone in the case
of a severe reaction like you describe to help stabilize the situation.
Chances are your ferets will be fine.
In the future your vet probably will want to pretreat them with benadryl
before giving vaccinations. If you had separated the shots you'd know
which had caused the reaction and could, if it was the distemper shot,
change to a different vaccine. Since you don't know which, pretreatment
probably makes sense before both shots next year.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine