Thanks to all for the information regarding the treatments for, and
possible causes of, Rascal's bloody diarrhea.  I wanted to let everyone
know that he is feeling better.  No more blood since very early Monday
morning.  He is taking Chloramphenicol 100 mg.  twice a day for one week.
The fecal was negative for parasites.  I did discuss the possibility of
a vaccine reaction with the vet there.  He defended their choice of the
canine 5-way distempter vaccine, but conceded that ferrets cannot contract
canine parvo, hepatitis, leptospirosis, or parainfluenza.  When I inquired
as to what authority or literature he relied upon as to the safety of using
the 5-way on ferrets, he referred to a continuing education seminar he
attended within the last year.  He does not use Fervac due to the incidence
of reactions.  He did not give an opinion as to whether he felt Rascal's
symptoms resulted from the vaccine.
 
I wrote to Dr. Kemmerer and received the following:
**
>My ferrets recently received 5-way Vanguard vaccines.  One of the ferrets
>developed bloody diarrhea 3 days later, and I am concerned it may have
>been as a result of the vaccine.  Is there any reason they should not
>have received the 5-way vaccine?
>
>Thanks.
**
 
There are two main reasons they should not receive a 5-way vaccine:
 
First, this is not an approved vaccine for ferrets.  Fervac is a
monovalent, USDA approved distemper vaccine for ferrets.  Although it has
a higher incidence of vaccine reactions than we'd like, we know it is
proven effective in preventing disease.  There is no such data on the
5-way vaccines.
 
Second, there is some evidence that use of the multivalent canine origin
vaccine can cause neurological problems later in life similar to "old dog
encephalitis" syndrome.
 
I do not recommend use of multivalent vaccines in ferrets.  No one really
knows how ferrets are affected by the hepatitis, leptospirosis, and
parainfluenza portions.
 
Hope that's helpful.
 
Dr. K.
**
 
I will be returning my ferrets to the care of the exotics specialist
(farther away, no after-hours care) in the future.  I really did want to
establish a relationship with this new clinic as they are a 24-hour
emergency facility only 10 minutes from my home.  Unfortunately, one visit
for routine vaccinations landed me there way too soon!  Thanks for the
information and support found in this ferret community.  Best wishes for
the holidays to all.
 
Tracy Hendrix
[Posted in FML issue 2907]