From:
"Jeff"
Date: 2009-02-03 01:32:36 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: should I vaccinate elderly ferret for distemper
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
Some believe, and I don't think it's been proven yet, that older ferrets who have been vaccinated throughout their lives do have sufficient titer levels later in life to avoid the need for vaccination for distemper. But, I don't think age 3 is old enough to be considered in that category.
If your ferrets go outside or come in contact with other animals, or if you come in contact with other animals that might carry distemper, then it can be brought into your home and passed to the ferrets. It can be brought into a home on clothes or shoes. You should examine your own situation and the potential for transmitting CD to your ferrets rather than 'over all' rates of incidence.
Each ferret's own situation should also be considered. We have vaccinated all of ours for CD, but if one had an adverse reaction to the vaccine, then I personally would not subject them to it again. However, none of ours had any kind of adverse reaction. Also, we do have an older girl, Trinny, with some other medical problems, and this year I will not vaccinate her. But, I also believe that our ferrets are in a situation where their potential to get CD is very low, so in her case the risk analysis of catching CD vs. having an adverse reaction tells me not to vaccinate.
Rabies is another story. The over all incidence of rabies in ferrets IS extremely low, and I personally will not vaccinate ours against it.
Jeff
In Memory of Neo
Caring for Trinny, Morphy, Baby Girl, Luna, and Dozer
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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