To Jeff Johnston:
 
OK, Jeff, I got carried away :) and didn't explain as thoroughly as I could
have - although you did a *much* better job that I could have anyway.
 
I shouldn't have said a vaccine at 6 wks is "thoroughly wasted" but that
starting vaccines that early does call for additional vaccines in the
series.
 
I vaccinate my kits at 8 wks, 11 weeks, and the new owner should complete
the series at 14 weeks.  Ideally, kits started at 6 wks should then be
vaccinated at 9, 12, and 15 weeks.
 
Since my kits are allowed to wean themselves, they still have maternal
immunity - or immunity from maternal antibodies in their systems at 6 wks,
thus the delay in the starting the series - and the need for one less
vaccination.
 
One more point: no matter when kits begin the vaccination series, *all*
ferrets need annual boosters.  So often I've heard, "my ferret had all its
shots when it was a kit." - That's not the end of it folks, annual boosters
are necessary to keep up the immunity.
 
Thanks, Jeff!
 
Debbie Riccio
WNYFLFA/DJF Ferrets
Rochester, NY
[Posted in FML issue 1614]