To Nina Janes:
 
>My vet no longer uses Fervac-D (he's had too many reactions he says), but
>instead uses Vanguard by Smith Beecham Kline.
 
    Then you are not using a ferret-approved vaccine.  Recently, I saw a
case of a "distemper-like" syndrome following usage of an unapproved vaccine
which is primarily used in dogs.  While I have tended to be more accepting
in the past with extra-label usage of distemper vaccines, I can no longer
justify the use of just any vaccine off the shelf in ferrets.  Fervac-D, in
my opinion, is still the "gold standard"; Galaxy-D is usable in cases where
animals have previously reacted to Fervac.  By using any other vaccine, you
are at risk.
 
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP
Dept. of Vet Path, AFIP
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Chief Pathologist, AccuPath
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[Posted in FML issue 1311]