A pet wholesaler recently brought in 200 kits from a breeder in Canada.
These ferrets were given mink distemper vaccinations, which has resulted in
at least seven confirmed cases of canine distemper in ferrets from this
shipment.  The ferrets may have been exposed to Aleutians disease.  The
breeder has stopped shipping ferrets, but these 200 ferrets have already
been placed in stores accross Oregon and Washington.  Do NOT handle any pet
store ferrets in these states!  Distemper can be carried on your hands or
even clothes, so close contact of any kind with an infected ferret can
spread the distemper to your ferrets at home!
 
        Distemper and Your Ferret
 
What you don't know about Canine Distemper can kill your ferret!
 
Method of transmission: Canine Distemper is an airborne virus that can be
transmitted from direct or indirect contact with an infected animal.  It can
be transmitted from your clothing, shoes, or from your skin for at least 8
hours after exposure.  In other words, your ferret can become infected just
by inhaling the virus from your skin or clothing!  Since the incubation
period can be as long as 10 days, always isolate any new dogs or ferrets
brought into your household for 14 days unless immunity to canine distemper
(and other contagious illnesses) can be ascertained.  Use caution and common
sense when petting or exposing yourself or your ferret to a dog or another
ferret.
 
Symptoms: The signs of Canine Distemper are the loss of appetite,
foul-smelling yellow or green sticky eye discharge, swollen eyelids, green
or yellow nasal discharge, swelling of the lips and chin, thick brown crusts
that form on the eyes, nose, lips and chin, lethargy, diarrhea, a subtle
form of pneumonia, dehydration, swelling of the anus, orange crusting of the
skin in the abdominal and anal area, muscular tremors, hyperexcitability,
convulsions, and in the later stages thickening and hardening of the paw
pads.  Many of these symptoms are never seen because the ferret will die
first.  Canine Distemper is virtually 100% fatal in ferrets within 12 to 35
days after exposure.  Ferrets do not appear to be susceptible to Feline
(cat) Distemper.
 
Immunity and vaccination: Kits receive immunity from their mother provided
she was properly vaccinated.  Special proteins (including antibodies) are
absorbed by the kit through the intestines from the jill's colostrum (first
milk) during the first 12 to 24 hours after birth.  Even though the kit may
nurse for up to 8 weeks, it cannot absorb the antibodies from the jill's
regular milk.  Older studies indicated that this maternal immunity lasted
from 5 to 16 weeks.  Newer studies suggest that at 6 + weeks of age, only
1/32 of the original maternal immunity is left.  The actual length of
protection is dependent upon the antibody level in the blood of the jill
when the kits were born.  To establish and maintain immunity, kits need a
series of three shots at 6, 10, and 14 weeks followed by a yearly booster.
Adults only need a yearly booster unless you are unable to establish that
the ferret has had previous vaccinations.  Two shots given 4 weeks apart are
recommended for adult ferrets that have not previously established and
maintained immunity.
 
The only distemper vaccine tested and labeled for ferrets is Fervac-D,
manufactured by United Vaccines.  Another vaccine that has been used for
many years on ferrets (but not tested or labeled for ferrets) is Fromm-D,
which was recently replaced by Galaxy-D and is manufactured by Solvay Animal
Health.  Never use a combination distemper shot such as the DHLPP which is
given to dogs.  The wrong form of Canine Distemper vaccine can potentially
induce the disease in ferrets.  If you vaccinate for rabies (which is highly
recommended) the manufacturer of Imrab-3 (Rhone-Merieux) suggests waiting
one week between the two immunizations to reduce the chance of reactions.
Be sure to stay at your vet for at least 30 minutes after any vaccination
and watch for signs of anaphylaxis.  Be sure to keep records of your pet's
vaccinations and keep them up to date.
 
Sources of Information: California Domestic Ferret Association, "The United
Ferret" (Volume 7, issue 1), "A Practical Guide to Ferret Care" by Deborah
Jeans, and "Personality Plus Good Health" by United Vaccines.  Special
thanks to Kelley Clarke C.V.T. and Christine Mathis for reviewing this
article and Kimber Brawley M.S., D.V.M. for his contributions and review of
this article.
 
Copyright 1997. The Oregon Ferret Association.  This article may be
reprinted without modifications.
 
The Oregon Ferret Association
P.O. Box 90682
Portland, OR 97290
(503) 557-8369
[Posted in FML issue 1894]