suzi lambert <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>I was wondering, can distemper be contracted from other means than direct
>contact with other infected animals (such as contaminated fomites)
 
Canine distemper virus is airborne -- so, yes, you can bring it in on
your shoes.  Here on Long Island we get outbreaks of CDV every so often,
making it that much more important to vaccinate.
 
>One last question, one of my young ferrets had a reaction with vomiting,
>bloody feces and lethargy.  He was promptly treated since I wait at
>least 45 min in the vets office.  But it was still pretty scary.
>
>Will the next distemper vaccine cause a more severe reaction in him?
>
>Also, how much benadryl should be used to pre treat ferrets before shots?
 
If possible, you'll want to try a different CDV vaccine.  There are now
two CDV vaccines approved for use in ferrets: Fervac-D (United) and
Purevax (Merial).  To answer your question: Yes, your ferret could have a
much worse reaction next time.  Or pre-treating could make a difference.
Our Knuks had a bad reaction one year, and no reaction the next with
pre-treatment.  The following year she had another bad reaction -- and
had no more vaccinations after that (she died of an unrelated problem
before she could get another vaccination).  Sabrina had a mild reaction
(vomiting only) one year, then had no more reactions with pre-treatment
for several years after.  The safe bet is to switch vaccines.
 
Until the Merial vaccine was approved, our vet pre-treated all ferrets
getting the Fervac-D shot.  Now only ferrets that have previously reacted
get pre-treated; though I don't know that he's had any reactions yet with
the Merial vaccine.
 
I have never pre-treated a ferret with oral Benedryl -- my vet has
always used an injectable.  We pre-treat the ferret(s) who have reacted
previously, then go on to vaccinate the others, then go back to the
pre-treated ferret for the vaccination.  In the case of Knuks, she had
a serious reaction despite pre-treatment.  The pre-treatment helped saved
her life, though it was my vet and his staff who get the credit for
pulling her through.
 
You might want to talk with your vet about switching vaccines and/or
about pre-treating with an injectable.
 
--Mary & the Fuzzies
 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Mary R. Shefferman, Editor, Modern Ferret Magazine
Trixie, Koosh, & Gabby, The Modern Ferrets
Read my blog --
http://www.modernferretblog.com/mary
[Posted in FML issue 4114]