Last night I sent this latest info to the FHL but somehow either
forgot to send it to the FML, or the ether swallowed it. So, here
is a rewrite:

I had a vet again say that Nobivac is a replacement for Galaxy rather
than the same thing, and as you know from the websites (plural) that
I sent yesterday: if the Merck websites are both read the result winds
up being confusing.

The confusing websites and variety of vet comments leaves a number of
questions:
Is what is called Nobivac here the same product as what is called
Nobivac outside the U.S. and Canada and therefore a REPLACEMENT for
Galaxy?
OR
Is what is sold as Nobivac here what was "FORMERLY called Galaxy" (or
does that wording on the Merck U.S. website just mean that was their
former product line name rather than referring to the actual vaccines'
chemistry...)?

If what is sold here as Nobivac is what was formerly called Galaxy then
since the company still sells a product called Galaxy outside the U.S.
and Canada does that mean that what the same name is used for two
different products in different locations?

Otherwise does it mean that what is called Nobivac outside the U.S.
and Canada has changed, and that the Galaxy name is being applied
to an entirely new line?

Honestly, the simplest explanation is if on the U.S. website the
"formerly" wording is a poor choice and does NOT mean that the vaccine
is the same vaccine that was called Nobivac, but since when have things
always been simple?
AND
Has either product changed and in what ways, like killed virus vs.
attenuated, antigen levels, etc.?
AND
Since their international branch outside the U.S. and Canada is still
selling Galaxy and it was a previously sold drug here so has been
through the approval process, why is Galaxy not still sold here?

So, what is really needed is someone knowledgeable and trusted, like
a ferret veterinarian who ***actually knows the exact questions and
details to ask about***, talking w one of the drug development chemists
responsible for vaccines there and finding out for sure what is what
because w Merck's unclear way of expressing things even vets are saying
different things. I could ask some vets for their questions and call,
but despite my decent mixed science background heavy in biology it is
not close enough that I might not miss a telling nuance in a reply.
A ferret vet, someone else w an advanced medical background that is
relevant enough, or someone with an advanced background in a close
enough organic chemistry branch who knows the differences historically
among these vaccines would probably be best for asking and posting.

I HAVE been told by a vet who says they are different vaccines that
both titer studies included ferrets who had Nobivac vaccine, though,
so there are reasons to think that it works, and certainly people have
been using Nobivac without unusual complaints or levels of complaints.

So, for ferrets the BASELINE TO REMEMBER remains to:

1. remember that Merck's Nobivac appears to be a reasonable alternative
when Merial has another Purevax shortage (since Merial makes Purevax on
a non-dedicated production line which is also used for some higher
profit products)

and

2. remember that the vaccine with a similar sounding name, Neovac, has
NOT been tested to see if it even works in ferrets, and that ferret
vets have been saying that ferrets probably need more antigen to
develop immunity to CDV than Neovac contains meaning it might be
useless which is why that company needs to at least have ferret titer
studies

so

3. remember to not confuse those two vaccines.

At least all the vets who contacted me agreed on those final points!

Except for multiple veterinarians' agreement on the final points the
rest of the conflicting statements out there -- which have been caused
by confusing wording from Merck websites and reps -- is enough to make
anyone dizzy!

[Posted in FML 8052]