From:
daneedv
Date: 2002-01-21 21:26:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Distemper and Rabies
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "pupsnow" <pupper1997@a...> wrote:
> I recently had one of my ferrets to the vet (he is two) just for
> vacinations. He has already had these shots twice this was the
> third. On the way home he became so ill, he was vomiting
constantly
> it was horrible.
<snip>
> however now my vet says if I dont get the rabies also they would
have
> to put him to sleep if he were to bite anyone. The vet also feels
> the reaction came from the distemper not the rabies. Any advice
> would be realy appreciated. Thanks Chrissy
Hi Chrissy.
It is always better to vaccinate. While the chance of a ferret that
stays in the house getting rabies is very slight, if he were to bite
someone and was not vaccinated against rabies, he would have to be
put down and tested for rabies. Distemper is very deadly to ferrets,
and you do not want to risk having your ferret get it.
Reactions to vaccines do sometimes happen. They can be serious, and
even deadly.
Having the distemper and rabies vaccinations given several weeks
apart can help lower the risk of a reaction. Also, pretreating with
benedryl can help. There is a new distemper vaccine that has a much
lower incidence of severe reaction that is made by Merial, and you
may want to ask your vet to get it to use, rather then Fervac.
Finally, it is always a good idea to wait at the vet's office for 30
minutes after the vaccination, in case a reaction does happen. While
they can happen after 30 minutes, the chances are much lower they
will, and they are usually less severe.
Danee