An incident worthy for all to take serious note of.....
 
Three ferrets belonging to a friend of mine were given Intranasal
Vaccinations for Bordetella (a kennel cough, I think) and almost *died*.
The owner had moved and had to change vets, the new vet did not know that
this vaccine given through the nose would *give* the ferrets Bordetella.
She discovered what he had done (he had taken them into the back room for
the vaccination) and immediately called her former vet hundreds of miles
away and told him what had happened.  He said the ferrets cannot be given a
nasal vaccination, they must have a shot instead, otherwise they would
contract the disease.
 
The ferret's owner took off from work for several days and had to do
intensive care for quite some time in order to save her ferrets, and I am
pleased to say that only because of her quick and proper action, the ferrets
survived.  They were pretty sick for a long time.
 
Based upon this incident, I would **never** allow any of my ferrets (or the
shelter ferrets) to be given Intranasal Vaccinations for any disease!!!  It
is just too risky.
 
For more info you can contact Rick White of S.  A.  F.  E.  in San Antonio,
Texas and he will refer you to Dr. Gates who can give you all the specifics
about Intranasal Vaccinations for ferrets.  With this vets help over the
phone those three ferrets lived.  Rick's e-mail address is [log in to unmask]
he would love anyone's inquiry, tell him I referred you.
 
Trish
Ferrets First Rescue & Shelter
[Posted in FML issue 1621]