To Todd and Andi, and Dick B.:
 
Todd & Andi Lockhart,
 
> We almost lost one last month that had a "mild reaction" to a previous
>shot.  Our vet is recommending that they have no further vaccinations if
>they have even a mild reaction...  Even pre treatment may not guarantee
>no reaction.  The choices seem to be between the possibility of death
>from distemper or high probability of death from the vaccination.  I'd
>certainly like to hear the opinions of the other vets.
 
    What I heard of this reaction (some vomiting and diarrhea) following a
Fervac-D injection, sounds consistent iwth a vaccine reaction, although it may
also be a reaction to the stress of the office visit and vaccination.  Before
totally giving up on vaccination altogether - I would suggest that on your next
trip - have the vet give 2mg/kg or 1mg/lb of antihistamine 5-10 minutes before
the shot to see if it can be done under those conditions.    There are things
we can do before just bagging vaccinations altogether.  If that does not
protect the ferret from a vaccine reaction, THEN you can consider forgoing
further distemper vaccinations.
 
--
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP              Department of Veterinary Pathology
[log in to unmask]               Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
[log in to unmask]             Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
(202) 782-2600/2602
[Posted in FML issue 1188]