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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 10:08:56 GMT -5
So I got my boys in December of last year and Nyx joined us almost exactly a month later. Both the people I adopted the boys from and the couple I adopted Nyx from told me that they where UTD on all the shots they required.
I'm not sure I trust the people I got the boys from to be truthful about this. After all most of the other questions I had asked they gave me answers I later found to be untrue.
Nyx's previous owner seemed much better. And on top of that she was only 6 months old at the time, 9 months now, so I would assume she is UTD.
However in about a month I will be ferret sitting a friends ferret and I know he is not UTD on his Vaccines. My friends have had him for probably 2 years now. He doesn't go to the vet, he often gets feed incorrect food and he lives in a house with two cats and a very dirty and sick old dog.
I'm worried about my kids but I don't have a lot of money to go to the vet right now and get tests done to find out what they need for Vaccines.
The vets office I took them to have many vets working in it and the lady I got last time didn't know much about ferrets. She told us up front.
I'm mostly wondering how I go about finding out what my kids need without it costing and arm and a leg. Next month I get laid off for a few months most likely so I need to have the money to able to feed the kids in case I can't get EI while I search for a new job.
Also I believe I was told by someone here that the Vaccines I need to worry about at Rabies and Distemper? I want to confirm that.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 10:36:06 GMT -5
Rabies and distemper are the two. The only way I see finding out is to do titers. You can do a titer to check antibody levels, but a low reading doesn't mean they aren't protected. The Mongo memorial distemper study offers discounts if you participate. The is a study that I'll have to find later that shows that rabies is usually good for the life it the pet as long as it's given after the maternal antibodies wear off. That happens around 12-16 weeks, but could last even longer. A shot given during the first 12-16 weeks will be pointless, because the maternal antibodies will cancel it out. Most shots are now thought to be good for much longer than a year, and possibly even the life of the pet. Also consider the need for each vaccine. Do you live in an area where distemper is a concern? Rabies is done for the purpose of the law. The chances of your baby dying from a reaction to the rabies vaccine are more likely than actually getting rabies
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 12:41:16 GMT -5
I know we had a large brake out of Feline Distemper a few years back, a lot of animals had to be put down due to it. But I believe it was Canine Distemper that affects the ferrets correct? I'm not sure if we get that around here but I can ask around and look this up.
The Distemper is what worries me.
The friends that own Bonkers, the soon to visit ferret, are brothers a little older then me. They bought a house a few years ago and not long after that there Aunt moved to town, in with her mother, there grandmother. The Grandmother doesn't allow pets in her house and the Aunt had this old dog. The Aunt is forcing them to keep the dog at there house. The dog is old, dirty and sick. All sorts of infections and suck. They can't afford to take it to the vet or get it meds and she won't. It spends a lot of time around the ferret so I'm not sure how healthy the ferret is basically.
Next month they go out of town and I told them I would look after Bonkers, but I want my kids safe.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 12:46:54 GMT -5
You're right, canine distemper is the one ferrets can catch.
How old are your kids? I would consider vaccinating them for distemper if they've never been Vaccinated and they might be around a potentially sick ferret. Titers can be useful, but they can also be expensive.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 12:57:23 GMT -5
The brothers were around 1.5 - 2 years when I got them in December and Nyx is around 9 months old.
I'm going to email the vets office today to ask a few questions.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 13:11:16 GMT -5
Sounds good. I'd also ask for a Benadryl shot before any vaccinations to prevent any reaction. Find out what brand of vaccination they use (some offices might try to use the Dog version which is NOT the same thing).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 13:43:24 GMT -5
I already sent my email, but when they respond I'll ask.
Would it be ok to cut a Benadryl pill in three and give them each a piece you think. We keep it around the house for our own allergies.
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Post by Heather on Apr 14, 2011 13:59:06 GMT -5
Unfortunately, if you want to take part in the Mungo Memorial Distemper, you have to know the exact age of your fuzz They won't accept approximately. It's a scientific study so ages are really important. I believe you also have to know the dates of the distemper shots given previously. It does remove the chance of a lot of rescues participating in this program. Personally, I would be most concerned about ADV rather than the other factors of rabies and distemper. Don't let them talk you into getting a combined shot or let them give the rabies and the distemper together. That is a horrific assault on their immune system. Ferrets who are ill, even if it's adrenal should never be vaccinated and if you are going to vaccinate (I don't) one shot should be good for the ferret's lifetime. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 14:41:53 GMT -5
Ok so if I where to go in this week to get the rabies vaccine, say tomorrow, how long should I wait to get the distemper if they need it.
Also I know I'd read what ADV is but I can't remember today for some reason.
My kids seem healthy. As I said I did take them to a vet but she has little ferret knowledge. She told us up front and said if we ever had questions she couldn't answer that she would try her best to find the info.
She's very nice and I like that she was honest and willing to do her best.
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Post by Heather on Apr 14, 2011 14:54:34 GMT -5
I wouldn't go in for the distemper for at least a month, maybe two. I think the vet usually prescribes 2 weeks. I, personally, don't think that's near long enough. What is the prevalence of distemper in your area? Is it worth the risk? That is my take on it anyway. There are areas that ADV is more prevalent than others but with travel between areas where ferrets are kept?? who knows. www.ferret-universe.com/health/adv.html and www.ferret-universe.com/health/adv.html There is also a video, really bad...so put your heart on a shelf when you watch it, I think it's actually posted somewhere here. It is a video of what can happen ADV is a parvovirus, created by man in search of a measles vaccine . ciao
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