Kathy--
     Your ferrets NEED to be vaccinated for CANINE Distemper with a
Modified-Live vaccine of non-ferret origin.  Two vaccines commonly
used for this vaccination in ferrets are FERVAC and FROMM-D, both
cultured from chicken-embryos.  While vaccination for feline
disptemper will not likely harm your ferret, CANINE Distemper is
*EXTREMELY* fatal in ferrets-- they do NOT recover.  This is the
disease that wiped out the greatest part of the tiny population of the
wild Black-footed Ferrets in Wyoming, and should not be taken lightly.
If your vet wants to argue this with you or refuses to innoculate your
ferret for canine distemper, FIND ANOTHER VET!!
     I personally suggest that you vaccinate the ferrets for rabies
as well, once they reach 3 months of age.  While your ferret is
unlikely in the extreme to ever develop rabies (little, if any
exposure to rabies vectors and relatively low susceptibility in
ferrets), the vaccination may help to prevent headaches and
heartaches should your ferret ever nip someone.  There is a rabies
vaccine licensed for use in ferrets by the USDA called Imrab,
distributed by Rhone-Merieux.  This is a KILLED VIRUS vaccine.  DO
NOT allow your ferret to be vaccinated with a live vaccine, as this
has INDUCED rabies in ferrets!  Insist on Imrab, or at the very
least, a KILLED virus vaccine.  The ferret dosage is 1 ML under the
skin.
 
        Best of luck,
 
              Debra in Ft. Worth, TX
 
[Posted in FML issue 0808]