Message Number: FHL5546 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Leslie Cucino
Date: 2008-07-19 13:39:58 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Vaccines?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

>>I am debating about get him vaccinated. He doesn't leave the
house, and he's not really around any animals other than the other
ferret, Bonnie. I'm just not sure that it's worth the risk of him
having a bad reaction to the vaccine.<<

Hi Ashley,


Re: vaccines, it all depends on what state you live in. All states
require rabies, whether your pet goes outside or not. What you need
to find out is if they immediately euthanize to check for rabies, or
do they quarantine the animal should it bite someone. If your state
euthanizes, you might want to consider getting the rabies vaccine.

I have had several ferrets have severe reactions to both the rabies
and distemper vaccines. Rabies is good for two years, but most states
make you vaccinate them each year. I stopped doing this and will only
vaccinate the ones who've never had a reaction, every other year. My
vet is fine with this. I've also forgone distemper completely, I've
had too many near fatal reactions. What I am doing is participating
in a study by Dr. Ruth Heller that measures the level of antibodies
in your ferret to see if even 2-3 years after vaccination if they
still have immunity to the disease.

If you choose to stop distemper, you need to stay out of kennels and
dog pounds and wash your hands and even change your clothes prior to
handling your ferrets if you've been in contact with a strange/
unknown animal.

Good luck!
Leslie



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/