>Doc says its a miracle he isn't a biter, and he got a distemper shot but NO
>RABIES vaccine (Doc said something abt it being a 'live' virus vaccine which
>is a no-no).
 
This is a rerun of a previous post from 11/1, so those of you have read it
before can just breeze by.
 
I always find it distressing it is to hear stories like this.  Imrab 3 IS a
killed vaccine, and has been approved by the USDA since 1990 for use in
ferrets.  Where your vet got the info from I don't know.  Tell your vet to
crack open the January 1, 1997 JAVMA (I'm making the leap of faith that he
gets it, but if he doesn't, or has tossed it, I'll be happy to fax him the
article, just email me privately.) On page 34 of the journal (second page of
the article, on the third box from the bottom is the info for Imrab 3.  He
is correct in is his assertation that ferrets should ONLY be vaccinated with
a killed vaccine.  Before Imrab was approved, the care sheet I got from my
college exotics (1983) class recommended a killed vaccine of murine (mouse)
origin.  This can be used as a recommendation for those in countries where
Imrab 3 is not available.
 
HTH,
 
-Ilena Ayala
and the two safely vaccinated ferrets Katie and Polly
[Posted in FML issue 2143]