Debbie-
 
The only dumb question is the one you DON'T ask.  The distemper and rabies
vaccines that we give are for our ferrets' protection.  They protect our
ferrets in different ways.
 
Distemper is passed by a virus.  It is extremely widespread, and very
hardy.  Even if your ferret never leaves your home, you can bring the virus
in on your shoes.  It is a horrible, painful way for your ferret to die.
Even the risk of a reaction to the vaccine is preferable to the high risk
of him catching this horrible disease that attacks the nervous system.
 
Rabies is a disease that your ferret is much less likely to contract.  It
is passed on by the saliva of an infected animal.  Your ferret is not very
likely to be bitten by a rabid fox or raccoon, although I have heard of an
owner coming upon a ferret killing a bat that had gotten into the house.
(I heard that it was delicious--at least according to the ferret!)  The
owner wasn't concerned that the bat might make the ferret sick by biting
it while struggling--the ferret had had its rabies shot.
 
The rabies shot is much more important to protect your ferret from other
humans.  If he or she nips a person, (or even has the person's hand thrust
into its mouth and scratches the hand) the local public health department
is much more likely to only require a quarantine if the ferret has had a
rabies vaccination.  Most of the time, the person who was scratched or
nipped won't even bother to report the incident if you can show a rabies
vaccination certificate.  Most states are now putting a ferret that bit
someone into quarantine, just like dogs.  However, there are still states
that are nuts about this, or city and county public health departments that
have not gotten the message.
 
Go into the FML archives and look up the story of Kodo; a Michigan ferret
that was killed after a protracted court battle to save his life.  He was
in quarantine for 42 days before he was "tested".  Testing for rabies
consists of killing the animal, cutting its head off, and examining the
brain for signs of the rabies infection.  Of course he tested negative for
rabies, but Michigan's laws did not allow for quarantine at the time.  June
12, 1997 was a sad day for ferret owners.  Kodo even has his own web page
where you can read his story.  www.kodonet.com Kodo hadn't bitten anyone;
an elderly gentleman reaching out to pet Kodo, tripped and jammed his hand
into Kodo's mouth.  His hand was scratched, and because he was elderly,
and had thin skin, a small amount of blood was drawn.  With the laws in
Michigan at that time, that was all it took.  His owners lost their jobs,
their place to live, and even their reputation.  The FML had an auction to
help them pay off their legal fees.  They've since moved.  You will help
protect your ferret from people who still consider them wild animals if
you vaccinate against rabies.
 
One last note; it's wise to separate the vaccines by two weeks between
distemper and rabies shot.  That way if there is a reaction, you will know
which vaccine was the culprit.  Stay at the vet's for at least 30 minutes
after the shot to watch for reactions.
 
Melodyt and the slinky six
[Posted in FML issue 2679]