Distemper reaction!!

[shayla]

Yesterday my oldest ferret Rose went in for her annual distemper vaccine (The second one she has ever had).
I waited at the vets for about 20 minutes then started to walk home. Half way home I could hear a strange sound coming from my carrier so I looked and she had started vomiting and shaking so I rushed her back to the vet. She was nonstop urinating blood, vomiting, and she wouldn't close her mouth. She had swelling where the vaccine was administered as well. She would walk around without using her back end (like when they wipe their butts on the carpet after using the toilet) and squeak while urinating blood.

My vet took her and treated her and I stuck around the office for about an hour until she was cleared to leave. 
She was no longer vomiting or shaking at this point but still has slight blood in her urine.

Today she's seeming a lot better, she's walking around with her siblings as normal, there's no more blood in her urine, she's eating and drinking, and the swelling on her back isn't noticeable any longer. She's still having very seedy diarrhea, though. The vet has told me she should be fine to make a full recovery.

My questions are:
Should I no longer vaccinate her? (most of my family members have dogs which is why I've always wanted to keep her vaccinated)
Do you guys think she will be okay?

Thank you in advance for your time.

[LindaM]

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your wee one. This is in part the reason vaccines are such a divided discussion. It is generally advised to remain at the vet office at least 30 minutes to an hour to check for any adverse reactions (with a continued eye out over the next few days for delayed reactions), as some go fatal incredibly fast where the vet can't even save them. I am glad you were still close enough that they could help her.

To answer your questions, no, she should never ever be vaccinated again. Once a ferret has had a reaction to any vaccine, they are done with vaccines, lest you risk her life.
She should be okay now, but please, keep a close eye on her for the next few days.

Because vaccines are such a risk, and ANY ferret can have a reaction, even to their very first vaccine, it becomes an incredibly personal choice for every ferret owner to make. The risk does get higher the more the ferret is vaccinated though, which is why many owners like myself will vaccinate only once in the life of the ferret for each Rabies and Distemper. Those who can afford it, will do a titer test before vaccinations to see if they are even needed. Others refuse to vaccinate at all because the risk is so high and simply keep their ferrets away from strangers who might report a bite for Rabies or such.

[abbeytheferret6]

Man, I am sorry about that:(

Your story strengthens my resolve even more to never let my ferrets get a distemper shot. If your dogs are vaccinated and you don't let your ferrets have contact with roaming dogs(who may not have been vaccinated), and you are not in contact with sickly animals,the chances your ferret getting distemper is so low. We have foxes and coyotes(which carry distemper) and racoons around here as well(rabies).My ferrets stay in the house or are walked in my yard(I do have a chain-link fence though so wild animals can't get in).

This is by Ron Hines DVM , PHD
Also tells you what goes on in a reaction.
www.2ndchance.info/test.php?page=distemperferret


What if My Pet Has A Reaction To The Distemper Vaccine?


Anaphylaxis refers to a sudden and severe allergic reaction that causes a crisis in many body systems. It occurs in all species of mammals as well as in human beings. Some signs of vaccine reaction that ferrets experience are rapid breathing, redness or blushing of its ears, restlessness, vomiting and mucus diarrhea - both of which can contain blood, collapse, seizures and even death. I would refuse to revacinate a ferret that ever experienced any of these signs, no matter how mild. Each time the reaction is likely to be more severe. Anaphylaxis is an immunologic event in that portions of the immune system are responsible for all the events that occur. The immune system of ferrets and other animals contain memory cells that recognize things foreign to the body. To gain immunologic memory the body must be exposed to the agent once, to know it, and then a second time to remember it. Because of this the ferret’s first distemper shot never causes a problem.



When the ferret is exposed to the vaccine a second or third or fourth time the foreign protein (antigen or allergen) causes the release of dangerous mediator chemicals called histamines, leukotrienes, prostaglandins and tryptase. The ferret’s blood cells that are responsible for the release of these chemicals are called basophils and mast cells. These four chemicals cause the smooth muscle within the respiratory and digestive tract to contract and smooth muscle surrounding the blood vessels to relax. Blood vessels also begin to leak. This causes the respiratory distress and shock-like drop in blood pressure characteristic of anaphylaxis in ferrets. Histamine released into the skin causes the hives we see frequently in dogs and humans undergoing an anaphylactic reaction. In people, the most common cause of anaphylaxis are antibiotics, peanuts and bee stings.

[Heather]

I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this but....you're very lucky. You still have your ferret. Simple answer....no this ferret should never be vaccinated again. According to most articles once is enough if the timing is right. I had a long discussion about this with my vet and on this point we agree. A ferret should never be subjected to annual vaccines.
ciao

[shayla]

Thank you guys so much for your input.. She means the world to me and I don't ever want to go through anything like that again with my babies. From now on I will steer clear of vaccines for all my ferrets.

While I monitor her over the next few days what warning signs should I be extra weary of?
She has been acting a little lethargic today so far.. I'm guessing somewhat to be expected after all the stress she must have endured. When should I start worrying if she's not getting back to her old self?

Thank you guys again, your advice means so much to me.

[unclejoe]

Wow that's scary. I hope she's ok
We don't vaccinate for that reason. Our Miss Prissy (DIP) had a severe reaction to a rabies vax and almost died at the vet's office. She had the vax before. Rabies is almost unheard of in domestic ferrets. If there is an outbreak of distemper in your area, your local news and your vet would know.

[bandit]

I'm so grateful your fuzzy is ok. Wow, what a scare!
Thank you for sharing your experience. This helps make my mind up permanently, I will not vaccinate my three ferrets.
How is your ferret currently? Has it made a full recovery?

[shayla]

Thank you everyone for your concerns/wishes and personal stories. She's improved so much in such a short time, I'm so happy.

bandit she seems to have made a great recovery so far; she's having a little diarrhea and she's not QUITE as playful as she normally is but that's to be expected. She's up and running as well as eating and drinking.

Words can't express the relief I feel watching her play. Never again will I vaccinate my ferrets.

[Sherry]

Lucky girl! Yeah, this is one of the reasons I vaccinate once for each after 5-6m of age and never again.

[br8080]

WOW - that had to be scary! So glad the outcome was positive.

Mine are due to get their distemper in a couple weeks and now I'm nervous about doing so. I so wanted to take them for walks in the yard and local paths. Now I'm not sure about that. What to do - What to do.....

[Sherry]

Are there distemper outbreaks in your area? You can check through the vet as well as the spca. TBH I do one vaccine each of rabies and distemper(3-4 weeks apart) in their lifetime. That vaccine does need to be given after 5-6m of age to be effective.

[br8080]

Aug 17, 2018 6:47:48 GMT -5 Sherry said:

Are there distemper outbreaks in your area? You can check through the vet as well as the spca. TBH I do one vaccine each of rabies and distemper(3-4 weeks apart) in their lifetime. That vaccine does need to be given after 5-6m of age to be effective.

Thank you - There is not an outbreak in my area but want to be safe as I do walk through my yard regularly and the most ferret proof room is the breezeway I keep my shoes in.  I will delay the distemper until they are 6m old.