I cannot find, nor do I recall the Crandall article on biting incidents, etc.
I was down for several months. Could you please resend it? I am off to the
[Did yesterday]
library to do research on local statistics but national/international info may
be useful. The primary issue here is rabies. If anyone has information on the
projections of the Morris Foundation progress on solving the innoculation
issue, it would be much appreciated. If not, I will call and post response.
Also, Chuck and Fox Morton's 'Ferrets' state "...many people choose to
vaccinate their ferrets against rabies yearly. Experts recommend killed
vaccines." My understanding is that there is no efficacious vaccine for
ferrets. I appreciate your help in dealing with what is now a local problem
but may set a precedent that could affect all fellow ferret lovers.
[What we know about Ferrets and rabies is what the Morton's and Wendy
Winsted's books say. The bit about "killed vaccines" has been confirmed
by our vet, at least insofar as he says that the common rabies and distemper
shots used for dogs and cats should not be used on ferrets - you have
to use a distemper vaccine that's been raised in eggs (I think that's what
it was). Our vet also generally suggests that his clients *not* vaccinate
their ferrets against rabies. He will do it on request tho. Ours have *not*
been. His rationale is, essentially, that an indoor pet is *extremely*
unlikely to come in contact with the rabies virus, unlike dogs and cats
which are frequently outdoors. Or, at least, if you let your ferret outdoors,
the chances are that you will lose them immediately.
After all, if Guinea pigs, mice, rats, chinchillas etc., are not required
to be vaccinated against rabies (I assume they are suceptible to it if
exposed), why should you need to vaccinate a ferret? After all, a ferret
is no more a wild animal in North America than a pet guinea pig is.
We have a vet on this mailing list...
Mark, do you have any references that will help Scott? Thanks...]
[Posted in FML 0046]
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