So add me to the "it won't happen" to me category.  I took 2 of my ferrets
to the vet on Thursday to receive their distemper and rabies shots.  The
vet tech and vet of course smooched and spoiled my babies after their shots
for a few minutes, and then I headed to the lobby to get my bill.  As I go
to set down the carrier, I hear that awful retching sound coming from in
the carrier.  I quickly open the door and ask who is getting sick?  My poor
male is retching his guts out.  So I pull him from the carrier and set him
on the floor.  The receptionist asks if she should get the vet out there,
and I said it wouldnt hurt.  I suspected that it was too much Nutrical
during the shots.  The vet tech was squirting that stuff pretty good.  The
vet came and watched my ferret for a minute and then said "I think we'll
just take him to the back a moment".  I'm still in denial going "OK, better
safe than sorry".  A minute later the vet comes out and says " I think
we'll put him on oxygen".  Now my heart begins to pound!  Later I find out
that my ferret began to have diarhea and had turned really pale.  They gave
him some oxygen and that seemed to help.  They also treated him with
Benadryl and a steriod.  When they brought my boy back out he was looking
pretty pathetic!  But he is fine now.
 
I guess what I want everyone to know is yes it happens to everyone.  I was
in a hurry and had thought about not waiting 30 minutes at the vet (and
they forgot to remind me to wait as well, which I told them after they
treated my ferret).  I was the last client for the day and they had closed
the doors.  If i had started home, I would have had a seriously ill ferret
on my hands, and would have had to go to an emergency vet.
 
Please remember to stay out your vet and monitor it after shots.  I would
suggest a 24 hour watch at home as well.
 
It can happen to you!
 
Masked Ferret owner in CA
[Posted in FML issue 3149]