Post by huronna on Oct 25, 2008 7:33:11 GMT -5
Vaccinations
by Lily
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What types of vaccinations do your ferrets need?
Your ferrets will need two different kinds of vaccinations:
Canine Distemper
Rabies
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When do your ferrets need the vaccinations?
The first Canine Distemper vaccination should be given at eight weeks of age. The next shot should be given at 11-12 weeks of age, and a third shot should be given at 14-16 weeks of age. Thereafter, the Canine Distemper vaccination should be given to your ferret annually.
The Rabies vaccination should be given at 12-13 weeks of age and thereafter, annually.
It is recommended to give the rabies vaccine either two weeks before, or two weeks after, the Canine Distemper vaccination. The two vaccinations should not be given at the same time in order to determine which vaccination your ferret had an adverse recation to - IF a reaction occurs.
Thre is no evidence that giving both at the same time may increase the risk of reaction - some folks believe it can, others believe this is not the case. In any event, it is better to give them separately so you know for sure which vaccination has cause the reaction if reaction occurs.
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What are the Canine Distemper Vaccination Choices?
Fervac-D
Galaxy-D
Merial's PUREVAX Ferret Distemper Vaccine
Fervac-D - At this time, Fervac-D is the most commonly used vaccination by Veterinarians and is USDA approved. Unfortunately, it also has numerous reported cases of adverse reactions - some minor - others are major and life threatening (Anaphylactic Shock).
Galaxy-D - Used by many Veterinarians as the preferred vaccination before Fervac-D was USDA approved, many Vets are now returning to Galaxy-D. Galaxy-D seems to have fewer reports of adverse reactions than the Fervac-D vaccination.
Merial's PUREVAX Ferret Distemper Vaccine - This new recombinant distemper vaccine became available in late 2001 and received FDA/USDA approval. It has been reported that only 1 in 400 ferrets tested had a serious reaction (these tested ferrets had reactions to both other vaccines previously). This vaccine is manufactured by the same company that makes the IMRAB-3 shot for rabies and was made specifically for ferrets.
Your choice of a Canine Distemper vaccination should be made with the professional consultation of your ferret qualified veterinarian.
Do not use a combination distemper shot (i.e., DHLPP for dogs).
Do not use a feline distemper vaccine.
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Do you have a choice of a Rabies Vaccination?
No. The 1990 (February) USDA approved Rabies vaccination for ferrets is IMRAB-3. It is the same rabies vaccine that is used for dogs and cats.
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What should you expect/remember when you go to the Vet for vaccinations?
It is EXTREMELY important for you to REMAIN AT THE VET'S OFFICE for a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour. I personally recommend at least an hour. This is to watch for any adverse reactions to the vaccination. If a reaction occurs, you will be at the Vet's where emergency treatment can be administered immediately, which is quite necessary in some cases.
Some Veterinarians will give your ferret injectable Benadryl about 1/2 hour before the vaccination. This is done to help lessen or avoid reactions. If your ferret has already experienced a reaction to a vaccination, it is even more likely for your Vet to give the Benadryl before hand. It should be noted that many people do not like pre-treating as it has been reported to delay the reaction rather than prevent it.
Once you leave the Vet and return home, you should always keep an eye on your ferret for 24 hours to be sure there are no reactions later on.
Please keep in mind that your ferret may have a reaction to a vaccination even if your ferret did not have a reaction to a previous vaccination. Many reactions happen for the first time on the 2nd or 3rd vaccination.
Once a ferret has a reaction, most Vets will switch to a different vaccine and will most definitely administer the Benadryl before administering the vaccine. If your ferret continues to have a reaction, even with a different vaccine, the choice to vaccinate should be discussed with your Vet. Because Distemper is an extremely serious, and almost always 100% fatal, this decision should NOT be made lightly.
Reactions should be reported by your Vet to the manufacturer of the vaccine and to the Center for Veterinary Care under the FDC and the US Pharmacopoeia-Veterinary Practitioners Reporting Network. This helps to give statistics on specific vaccine reactions, and knowledge for the changes and improvements to the drugs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is Anaphylactic Shock? What other less severe reactions may occur?
Anaphylactic Shock is the most common and most serious (life threatening) reaction.
Symptoms are readily recognizable and can include: signs of dizziness, pale or bright pink gums or feet or nose, gagging, difficult breathing, blue coloration under the skin or of the tongue, vomiting, blood in urine or feces, seizure, convulsing, going limp, or lapsing into a coma.
If your ferret experiences Anaphylactic Shock, he/she will need IMMEDIATE Veterinarian treatment. This is why it is SO important for you to REMAIN AT THE VET's for at LEAST one hour after vaccinations. Without treatment, Anaphylactic Shock can easily be fatal.
If your ferret exhibits signs of Anaphylactic Shock, your Vet will immediately begin treatment. Usually, injectable Benadryl will be administered along with Epinephrine or a Corticosteroid and your Vet will also give your ferret oxygen. This will be repeated until the ferret responds to treatment and is stabilized.
Once you return home, watch your ferret carefully for any signs of a repeat reaction.
Less severe minor reactions to vaccinations may include your ferret being tired and possibly a little amount of vomiting. As long as these symptoms are not extreme and do not last longer than one day, things should be okay. If your ferret has trouble breathing, or the lethargy is extreme, please take your ferret back to your Vet right away.
by Lily
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What types of vaccinations do your ferrets need?
Your ferrets will need two different kinds of vaccinations:
Canine Distemper
Rabies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When do your ferrets need the vaccinations?
The first Canine Distemper vaccination should be given at eight weeks of age. The next shot should be given at 11-12 weeks of age, and a third shot should be given at 14-16 weeks of age. Thereafter, the Canine Distemper vaccination should be given to your ferret annually.
The Rabies vaccination should be given at 12-13 weeks of age and thereafter, annually.
It is recommended to give the rabies vaccine either two weeks before, or two weeks after, the Canine Distemper vaccination. The two vaccinations should not be given at the same time in order to determine which vaccination your ferret had an adverse recation to - IF a reaction occurs.
Thre is no evidence that giving both at the same time may increase the risk of reaction - some folks believe it can, others believe this is not the case. In any event, it is better to give them separately so you know for sure which vaccination has cause the reaction if reaction occurs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are the Canine Distemper Vaccination Choices?
Fervac-D
Galaxy-D
Merial's PUREVAX Ferret Distemper Vaccine
Fervac-D - At this time, Fervac-D is the most commonly used vaccination by Veterinarians and is USDA approved. Unfortunately, it also has numerous reported cases of adverse reactions - some minor - others are major and life threatening (Anaphylactic Shock).
Galaxy-D - Used by many Veterinarians as the preferred vaccination before Fervac-D was USDA approved, many Vets are now returning to Galaxy-D. Galaxy-D seems to have fewer reports of adverse reactions than the Fervac-D vaccination.
Merial's PUREVAX Ferret Distemper Vaccine - This new recombinant distemper vaccine became available in late 2001 and received FDA/USDA approval. It has been reported that only 1 in 400 ferrets tested had a serious reaction (these tested ferrets had reactions to both other vaccines previously). This vaccine is manufactured by the same company that makes the IMRAB-3 shot for rabies and was made specifically for ferrets.
Your choice of a Canine Distemper vaccination should be made with the professional consultation of your ferret qualified veterinarian.
Do not use a combination distemper shot (i.e., DHLPP for dogs).
Do not use a feline distemper vaccine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you have a choice of a Rabies Vaccination?
No. The 1990 (February) USDA approved Rabies vaccination for ferrets is IMRAB-3. It is the same rabies vaccine that is used for dogs and cats.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What should you expect/remember when you go to the Vet for vaccinations?
It is EXTREMELY important for you to REMAIN AT THE VET'S OFFICE for a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour. I personally recommend at least an hour. This is to watch for any adverse reactions to the vaccination. If a reaction occurs, you will be at the Vet's where emergency treatment can be administered immediately, which is quite necessary in some cases.
Some Veterinarians will give your ferret injectable Benadryl about 1/2 hour before the vaccination. This is done to help lessen or avoid reactions. If your ferret has already experienced a reaction to a vaccination, it is even more likely for your Vet to give the Benadryl before hand. It should be noted that many people do not like pre-treating as it has been reported to delay the reaction rather than prevent it.
Once you leave the Vet and return home, you should always keep an eye on your ferret for 24 hours to be sure there are no reactions later on.
Please keep in mind that your ferret may have a reaction to a vaccination even if your ferret did not have a reaction to a previous vaccination. Many reactions happen for the first time on the 2nd or 3rd vaccination.
Once a ferret has a reaction, most Vets will switch to a different vaccine and will most definitely administer the Benadryl before administering the vaccine. If your ferret continues to have a reaction, even with a different vaccine, the choice to vaccinate should be discussed with your Vet. Because Distemper is an extremely serious, and almost always 100% fatal, this decision should NOT be made lightly.
Reactions should be reported by your Vet to the manufacturer of the vaccine and to the Center for Veterinary Care under the FDC and the US Pharmacopoeia-Veterinary Practitioners Reporting Network. This helps to give statistics on specific vaccine reactions, and knowledge for the changes and improvements to the drugs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is Anaphylactic Shock? What other less severe reactions may occur?
Anaphylactic Shock is the most common and most serious (life threatening) reaction.
Symptoms are readily recognizable and can include: signs of dizziness, pale or bright pink gums or feet or nose, gagging, difficult breathing, blue coloration under the skin or of the tongue, vomiting, blood in urine or feces, seizure, convulsing, going limp, or lapsing into a coma.
If your ferret experiences Anaphylactic Shock, he/she will need IMMEDIATE Veterinarian treatment. This is why it is SO important for you to REMAIN AT THE VET's for at LEAST one hour after vaccinations. Without treatment, Anaphylactic Shock can easily be fatal.
If your ferret exhibits signs of Anaphylactic Shock, your Vet will immediately begin treatment. Usually, injectable Benadryl will be administered along with Epinephrine or a Corticosteroid and your Vet will also give your ferret oxygen. This will be repeated until the ferret responds to treatment and is stabilized.
Once you return home, watch your ferret carefully for any signs of a repeat reaction.
Less severe minor reactions to vaccinations may include your ferret being tired and possibly a little amount of vomiting. As long as these symptoms are not extreme and do not last longer than one day, things should be okay. If your ferret has trouble breathing, or the lethargy is extreme, please take your ferret back to your Vet right away.
