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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 11:16:48 GMT -5
I have a bit if a dilemma.. looking for some incite..
I have two young ferrets and I'm on the fence about getting them shots. Where I live it is not required by law to have them vaccinated. I have known a number of people that have chosen to not get them vaccinated. And yes I know distemper is 100% fatal if they get it.
They do not go outside and are not around any other animals but one another.
So I would like to know where most people stand on this. I am almost terrified to have it done. I have seen some pretty bad things happen. And incite would help.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 11:25:45 GMT -5
I don't vaccinate but I can't advise one way or another on that. What I would suggest is that you read the stuff in this link before deciding. holisticferret60.proboards.com/board/60/vaccine-informationSome here partially vaccinate, some fully and some not at all. If you choose not at all it is good to understand vaccines fully, benefits and the risks because some vets will try to intimidate you about it, it is best to be armed with information. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 11:31:48 GMT -5
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Post by bitbyter on Feb 25, 2016 14:01:24 GMT -5
I do initial kit series for rabies and distemper. Then I redo distemper when they are about 3 years old. From what I've read that should cover them for most of their lives for distemper. I don't worry to much about rabies as mine are rarely outside. I don't bother with any shots over 6 years old as their chances of contacting anything are pretty slim and here in N.A. a ferret over size is considered an elder anyhow.
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Post by Heather on Feb 25, 2016 14:15:18 GMT -5
Vaccine questions are always difficult. Years ago when I asked your same question I really couldn't understand why I couldn't get a straight answer. Years later I know why. There is a ton of misinformation out there as to what vaccines do or don't do, why we should or shouldn't and a lot of it is actually vet and doctor related. You have to find the information past that. It's not easy but there is truth out there you just have to know where to look.
Rules not matter what method you choose. 1. Never vaccinate a sick animal....that can mean anything from a mild virus to adrenal, insulinoma. 2. Never use back to back vaccinations.....never the same day and preferably months in between but at minimum a month in between vaccines. 3. If at all possible use the vaccine for the species involved. Right now there is a problem with the distemper vaccine. The ferret one is in limited supply Purevax. They've had problems with it failing and the supply is sketchy at best. People who want to vaccinate are using the puppy distemper. Unfortunately, it's not just for distemper, it's also a parvo vaccine. There is an issue that bothers me about this but that's not for the discussion at the moment. The rabies vaccine for ferrets is the Imrab3.
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 14:38:21 GMT -5
No rabies here as mine will not come into contact with a rabid animal---they dwell inside. I vaccinate my dogs every 3 years, so they will not be able to transfer it should they come in contact with rabid animal. If you do not work at a vets office or a shelter and keep your ferrets away from questionable dogs and places where there r other ferrets, I think it is highly unlikely ferrets will get distemper. I do not do distemper.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 18:31:59 GMT -5
Heather, I fully agree with not vaccinating a sick animal, but did you ever experience vaccinating an adrenal ferret, or anything worse besides the possible risks with a healthy ferret? I am worried because I have one adrenal boy,and here it is mandatory (by law) to do distemper yearly, and again I have to do rabies because we travel with them.
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Post by Heather on Feb 25, 2016 22:33:07 GMT -5
I've never heard of distemper being a mandatory vaccine. I've had vets who insist that it's law to vaccinate for distemper but it's not here, its a scare tactic. That being said, you're not in NA so I don't know your rules and laws. The only vaccine that is mandatory by law here is rabies. I will not vaccinate any animal that is ill. It specifies on the product description and usage that at no time should the vaccine be given to a sick animal. I would never vaccinate an adrenal or any sick ferret. I do not travel or cross any borders with my sick ferrets so my decision is my own
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2016 4:11:02 GMT -5
Yeah, I understand your point. Oh, and I haven't heard of any other place but Finland where distemper is mandated by law, but rabies is not (unless you travel).
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Post by maja01 on Feb 26, 2016 4:34:15 GMT -5
I don't know wich vaccine you use in Finlnd - over here we, like most of the Europe (with exception of Denmark, Sweden and in part Germany) are using puppy vaccines. There are no vaccines registred for use in ferrets here. So ... it has been like this since "forever".
We are doing a research on immune reaction after distemper vaccinations in ferrets = developing an elisa test for detecting antibodies. We have just started the lab part yesterday, I hope I will be able to provide some answers about immune responses on our vaccines until summer.
First we would like to know if there is any immune response, than latter how much of it, how long it lasts and to figure out a proper dose of vaccine (now is used half of a dog's dose - wich is some kind of anecdotic dose ...). We will also check samples from ferrets who are on immunosupression therapies (insulinomas, limfomas, ...) but were vaccinated previous to this. We would really like to know what happens with their antibody titer ...
Just keep fingers crossed the test will work like it should, that I won't have too much trouble adjusting it at the begining ...
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