Message Number: YG13222 | New FHL Archives Search
From: weasellover21090
Date: 2002-05-22 15:03:00 UTC
Subject: Ferret sick after Merial distemper vaccine reaction

My ferret, Brandy, had the new merial distemper vaccine last Thursday
May 16, she had a severe reaction and almost died, we did not think
she was going to make it. She stayed at the vets all day until she
came through and I took her home that evening. She played with the
other ferrets when we got home and was fine for the days afterward,
but 2 days ago she didn't want to play when they got out of the cage,
and she has been like that ever since. She acts tired and was
sneezing and coughing a little yesterday and she seems a little warm
but her nose is cold. When I put her on the floor she walks around a
little but seems to wobble and lean a little to the left and then
goes right back to bed. She is eating, drinking and going to the
bathroom normally. My concern is could this be from the reaction and
could it come back days later? My vet is out of town this week so I
haven't called his office. I can see it in her eyes that she doesn't
feel well. Her breathing is more rapid than usual but she sounds
clear and not congested. Do I have a reason to be concerned or am I
just being paranoid? [Experts] if you read this I would like to
know if you think I should seek medical care, I know you can't make a
diagnosis without seeing her but do her symptoms seem normal to you
after having such a bad reaction?

Holly Phillips

[Moderator's note: if you ask one person for an opinion you risk that person being away, giving finals, conference talks, etc. as the person you named will very shortly be doing. It is best to be inclusionary -- gets the best chance of a number of good replies. -- Sukie]