From:
"Becky/Bryony"
Date: 2008-04-29 22:46:38 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Ferret Distemper Vaccine
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
>From reading "ferret_person"'s post, I think she may be asking about
what "distemper" is, not just about the reaction itself. (Having
worked at an animal hospital, I have heard this question before. If
this is not what you were asking, I apologize.)
"Distemper" has nothing to do with the temperament of an animal. It
doesn't mean that they have a bad temper, and vaccinating them
against it doesn't change their personality or "mood".
Canine distemper is a virus that many animals, including ferrets,
are susceptible to. I don't know enough to go in-depth with the
medical aspects of distemper, but, in general (and someone please
correct me if I'm wrong here), it causes severe respiratory problems
initially, followed by neurological complications. It is nearly
always fatal in those animals that are not humanely euthanised first
(which in this case is usually the most humane option). In those
VERY few ferrets that are able to survive canine distemper, they are
left with VERY SEVERE neurological problems that follow them
throughout their (very shortened) life.
Again, if this was not the question that you were asking, I
apologize, but I know that many inexperienced pet owners (and some
that are more experienced) hear the term "distemper" and think of
someone with a bad temper.
Bright Blessings,
Becky (Not a vet)
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "ferret_person"
<robinpikscher@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I am new to post to this group, but I was wondering if after the
ferrets get their distemper
> vaccine, does that make them nicer and more lethargic?
But now here is where my question comes in. Does the vaccination
make
> them nicer, as in no more biting feet and ankles, to little angels
and more cuddly? Or did
> the experience of the vet scare them enough that they won't be as
rambunctious anymore?
> I got the younger ferrets when they were 6 months old, and all
they did was run around
> the room for a solid 4 hours, and now they wear out after 2 hours
along with the older
> ferrets, who wear out after 1 1/2 hours. They all sleep in the
same cage together.
>
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