From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2004-06-21 01:39:12 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: vaccine reactions
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <32820206.1087785770915.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
Hi, again,
> I don't know if you can give opinions against or for
> vets but do you think I should continue using rhis
> vet based on her opinions about giving Purvax and
> rabies together.
I disagree with her practice of doing both
vaccinations together. So does our vet. Is she
willing to read/listen to alternative opinions?
Our vet vaccinates annually (both rabies and
distemper) because that is how long the vaccines are
proved to work in ferrets. He does believe they may
actually last longer but without clinical proof he'll
continue annual vaccinations.
> I was
> distressed about not being able to vaccinate (mostly
> for distemper)
There are three different distemper vaccines for
ferrets (Merial Purevax, Fervac-D, and Galaxy D). If
your ferret reacts to one he/she could easily get a
different vaccine the next time. This is what we did
for Lady Ayeka who reacted fairly strongly to Purevax.
This year there was no problem at all.
> There are other
> ferret-knowledgeable vets in the area so it wouldn't
> be a problem to switch.
A second opinion never hurts. If I were uncomfortable
with a vet I would switch, but I would look into
whether or not my discomfort was justified. What do
other ferret owners in your area think of the
different ferret vets?
Also, please check the archives for my posts on
vaccinating a ferret who has had an anaphyactic
reaction in the past. Nyssa, who had a life
threatening reaction to her rabies vaccine at age one
is pretreated with dexamethasone injections for three
days prior to her vaccine and with benadryl and
dexamethasone on the day of her vaccination. She's
had no problems (other than being a bit sleepy) ever
since. She's six now and we're going to have the four
consecutive vet appointments once again in early July.
It's inconvenient and somewhat expensive, but it
definitely works for her.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet nor do I
play one on TV. I am a moderately experienced ferret
owner who also does rescues.
All the best,
Caity and the six wonder weasels