Message Number: FHL7420 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Ann Barzda
Date: 2009-01-06 10:51:00 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] should I vaccinate elderly ferret for distemper
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

My progressive, enlightened vet, has recommended to me not vaccinating olde=
r ferrets (he stops at 5), if they have been regularly vaccinated throughou=
t their lives.=A0 He is recommending this because of the number of reaction=
s he sees in older ferrets.
=A0
This is an observation in line with Dr. Heller's findings (so far) in the t=
iter study - that ferrets with a high titer count have higher reaction perc=
entages.=A0 A ferret that is=A0vaccinated yearly likely has=A0a higher tite=
r count than one that is not.=A0 I'm basing that on conversations I've had =
with Dr. Heller.=A0 :-)
=A0
My vet is also supportive of my decision to do the kit series, one booster,=
and then vaccinate every other year.=A0 I am planning on switching to doin=
g titer counts yearly instead, and only vaccinating those that need it.
=A0
A titer count would be the best first option for your ferret prior to vacci=
nating.=A0 :-)
=A0
Ann=A0

--- On Tue, 1/6/09, Joanne Seamans <moxie17@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

From: Joanne Seamans <moxie17@sbcglobal.net>
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com






I postponed the vet appt. until next week because of inclement
weather, but I'm wondering if I should vaccinate Nexus for distemper.
He is 7 years, 4 months old and has insulinoma. If he is still around
in the spring, I plan on taking him outside. He is not very active.
Sleeps a lot but eats his soup well. He is on medication. I plan on
getting him vaccinated unless someone has a good reason not to.
Thanks.

[Moderator:
How about have a titer done and make your choice based
on that combined with your vet's advice about how much
distemper is in your immediate area? At the IFC Symposium
Dr. Heller said that there may be a correlation between
vaccine reactions and having titer levels that are very high
already. Doing the titer levels would help the study on
canine distemper vaccines and ferrets and would tell you
if your ferret may already have enough protection on board.

See:
http://www.ferret. org/news/ 07-april- titer_study. html

and, please, try to have as much detail (including age, gender,
when last vaccinated, etc. on the forms and also have them
go to Dr. Heller for the compilation]















=20=20=20=20=20

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


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