Message Number: SG13791 | New FHL Archives Search
From: snoopyssnugglers@elp.rr.com
Date: 2005-05-07 14:13:59 UTC
Subject: Distemper vaccination for ferret who has reacted to 2 different vaccines?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8112718.1115475239349.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

I am in a dilema as to deciding whether I should vaccinate my ferret who has reacted to both Fervac (moderate reaction) and to Purevax (mild reaction). The only vaccine that I will even consider using on him is Galaxy D. Has anyone ever heard of a death with Galaxy D or even a serious reaction?

My Bebo is 3 years old now. His first reaction was on the last vaccine of his kit series. This was a reaction to Fervac and was a very delayed reaction. It was between 1 1/2 and 2 hours after the vaccination was given. At the time, I didn't pretreat with Benadryl or any type of steriod. This reaction occured after I had returned home with him (after waiting over an hour at my vets). He began to throw up and act anxious. I rushed him back to the vets and he recovered within a few hours. I switched to Purevax for all of my ferrets the following year and pretreated all of them with Benadryl. None of my ferrets had problems that year. The following year, Bebo reacted mildly to the Purevax and recoverd quickly. Later that same year, I lost my Snoopy to a Purevax reaction so I will NEVER use that vaccine again.

Bebo has never had any reaction to the Rabies vaccine but he sure seems super sensitive to the distemper vacs.

I am just in a dilema deciding whether to vaccinate Bebo at all this year. I am considering using Galaxy D but I am even very, very nervous using that vaccine although I believe it to be the safest distemper vaccine available. I am aware that it is not liscensed for use in ferrets but I know it has been used in the Black Footed Ferret vaccination program.

I would like to know everyones recommendation/experiences if anyone has any. Thank you all for your opinions and for reading this long post!!

Sandy Gammage