From:
ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2007-03-06 23:47:18 UTC
Subject: On rabies and vaccination Re: [ferrethealth] Digest Number 134
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
In a message dated 03/06/07 7:40:22 AM Eastern Standard Time,
ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com writes:
## Perhaps one of my colleagues has answered this between this digest was
sent and when I got it, but if not - I have seen a number of errors in the
replies (most of which did not seem to address the actual questions asked) and want
to correct them, by answering the questions directly. ##
**One question is why does the company Merial suggest after first vaccine, a
different amount of time for ferrets from cats and dogs? Cats & dogs can be
done every 3 years since the shot is a 3 year vaccination and there is NO one
year shot really. But for ferrets, they say do every year. I don't understand
why, does anyone know?
## Imrab 3, which is the only approved and licensed rabies vaccine for use in
ferrets, has a three year label for some species and a one year label for
other species. This is based on duration of immunity studies that have been done
in those species to prove that animals are protected at certain times based
on a challenge study. Imrab 3 is labeled for three years in dogs and cats
because those studies have shown that when dogs and cats are challenged with the
rabies virus three years after vaccination, they are protected (note that the
first vaccine in any animal is only for one year, and boosters are for three
years). Ferrets have only had a challenge done at one year and so the vaccine
is labeled for yearly use in ferrets.
Does it protect for longer? Yes, it may. However, since the greatest threat
from rabies to our pet ferrets is the risk of one being killed because it bit
or scratched someone and was not considered legally protected, I must
recommend yearly vaccination against rabies until a longer duration is confirmed and
labeled for.
Another clarification - there are several rabies vaccines labeled for one
year use in dogs and cats, including a form of Imrab. ##
**Also, have there been any documented cases of rabies in ferrets? If so, do
you know where to find it? Also,, once infected with rabies, how long does it
take to see signs in a ferret? How long would a quarantine time be for a
ferret compared to the 10-14 days for a dog or cat?
## Yes, ferrets do and have contracted rabies. In fact, if you search for
rabid ferret, you will probably pull up a recent case in the Southeastern US.
Onset of clinical signs varies widely. The established quarantine time is
exactly ten days for dogs, cats and ferrets, not 10 - 14, and is *from the time
of human exposure (bite/scratch)*, not from the time of the animal being
exposed to rabies. ##
**Is there any research still going on with this vaccine for ferrets? If so,
will they ever get to the same recommendation as cats and dogs(3 years)?
## That is unlikely, as challenge studies are very expensive. ##
**Merial suggest giving only to healthy ferrets, cats & dogs, what is the
definition for healthy ferret? What I mean is, a very high percentage of ferrets
or older cats and dogs have some health problems and usually not good, as we
all know, in ferrets it's adrenal, insulinoma, and the list goes on. So what
health issues in a ferret or any cat or dog, will justify no more vaccinations
for that animal?
## That is a matter for discussion between the owner and their veterinarian.
I personally do not vaccinate any animal with active adrenal symptoms,
insulinoma, lymphoma or cardiomyopathy, and would be very hesitant to vaccinate any
ferret with IBD. ##
**And, I read somewhere and can't find it now, that the site of vaccination
sometimes has caused tumors and or cancer in animals, anyone ever hear of this?
## Yes, that is well-known, especially in cats (although even in that species
it is pretty rare) and has, very rarely, occurred in dogs and ferrets. It's
not just vaccines, anything that breaks the skin and sets up an inflammatory
reaction can cause tumor development to ensue - some of those cat tumors were
found to have splinters or grass awns in their centers, for example.
Hope that cleared up some things. ##
Dr. Ruth
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