I gave 12 of my 15 ferrets their distemper shot. I STUPIDLY did this
when some family members were sick with the flu, the regular flu I was
told because there was no high fever. BUT I also know that there is a
lot of flu in Oregon and that it may have mutated or combined with the
H1N1 flu to a whole new flu. ALL 12 of my ferrets that I vaccinated
became VERY ill with the flu. I will never forgive myself for
vaccinating ferrets when there was sickness in the house. The other 3
ferrets that didn't get sick lucked out because I ran out of syringes,
thankfully. The first one to get sick was Tyki, the youngest and
healthiest. He really had a hard time breathing and could only breathe
with his mouth open. I thought I was going to lose him. Then the other
ferrets started sneezing. The oldest ones who have a variety of
problems were hit the hardest. They have adrenal problems, insulinoma
and lymphoma. I called Chris Mathis at the OR Ferret Shelter and
started them on meds including amoxi, Children's Benadryl, rehydration
stuff, sub-Q fluids and Ferret Rx. I don't think I slept 3 hours a
night for over a week and I was sick with the flu too. Although no
humans in the house had a fever, some of the ferrets did. When I was
holding some of them I could feel the heat radiating from them. No one
has died, but old man Brewster with insulinoma still has not completely
bounced back.

I did not report it to the vaccine company because my ferrets got sick
3 days after their vaccinations were given. From what I understand they
got the flu because their bodies were dealing with the canine distemper
vaccinations and so their immune systems were lowered. No one's fault
but my own. Stupid, stupid me. I learned a hard lesson and am passing
on the info so that no one else gives distemper shots while the flu is
in the house.

Nancy, who needs to wear a sign on her back "KICK ME BECAUSE I'M SO
STUPID" and is still asking forgiveness from the furkids.....

[Posted in FML 6504]