From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2002-08-12 23:50:31 UTC
Subject: RE: HELP:Reaction to vaccines
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com, ferretwise@ferretwise.org
Message-Id: <p05111705b97df4428da2@[10.0.1.40]>
Alicia, when you say "herd" I think that you may be referring the
fact that the individuals who can not be immunized have their risk of
contracting an infectious illness lowered if those around them ARE
immunized. This happens because the routes through which an
infection can enter the population and be transmitted through the
population are thereby greatly curtailed.
We, too, have had some individuals who can't be immunized due to
reactions to MULTIPLE vaccines. When there is just one vaccine which
is the problem we instead opt to use alternative vaccines. When
there have been reactions to two or more we tend to stop vaccinating.
In general, vaccination reaction rates are not terribly high though
they are terrible enough that we all need to take precautions and we
all know of them. They should drop further as more vets go to using
the Merial Purevax for canine distemper vaccinations, if the reports
in so far continue to hold. It costs a bit more but is worth it.
Yes, even that can cause reactions, but there are humans who die
regularly from common foods -- point being that there will always be
those who react to specific things so the risk can be lowered but not
ended.
Over the 20 years that we have had ferrets I think that maybe I have
heard of two or three ferrets (if more than not many more) dying of
vaccine reactions and that is specifically because most people do
wait and the vets then do respond rapidly. I have heard of maybe the
same amount with long-lasting health problems due to the reactions.
That is far better than humans who have anaphylactic reactions since
most of those happen outside a treatment facility so there is delay
in treating.
Meanwhile, this year alone -- and we aren't through much more than
half of it -- I have been contacted by over a half dozen HOUSEHOLDS
(most with multiple ferrets) where canine distemper has occurred.
You KNOW what that means.
Yes, the reactions must be respected -- strongly -- and treated
immediately, but even though anaphylactic reactions tend to be fatal
without prompt treatment they are not a reason to over-react. I say
that not only as someone who has had something like 5 ferrets do this
severely over the years, but also as someone whose hubby goes into
such reactions for two foods and one pollen, and who goes into them
herself for a some foods, a med, and sometimes for allergy shots.
Yes, they are scary and, yes, it feels miserable to have those runs
(the bleeding is from carried-along blood cells as the fluids rapidly
move from capillaries so is not painful beyond the runs aspect),
although some other sensations with it are worse (suffocating,
dizziness, feeling that something is very wrong...). While they can
be fatal the fear that one has at first isn't a reason to fail to
live reasonably normal lives. The fear can be most damaging.
Most of our ferrets do get vaccinated, and I still get my allergy
shots since I actually need them. Allergens that can be avoided are
avoided by all of us (four footed, or two), and our ferrets never get
the same type of vaccine to which they reacted, and stop having
vaccinations if they react to more than one type.
Hope that this helps.