>From:    Maggie <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: For Roxie's Mommy
>On a slightly angry note and not directed to ferret wise shelter, I got an
>email today from someone who sent it anon.
 
Another distressing sign that some folks think they know far more than they
do.  Cheryl (and Chris) Geodeke are some of the very best people we know
helping ferrets AND helping people.  If they think that helping Maggie is
the correct thing to do then we have no doubt that that is the best way to
proceed.  If they thought Maggie was unfit they would not place ferrets with
her.
 
>From:    Patricia Curtis <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Distemper Vaccination Question
>At a point, which my vet feels is around the 14-day mark,
 
I would advise you and your vet that all cases of vaccine induced distemper
we are aware of came when a vet decided to give shots at a two week interval
thinking it was "safer" than the manufacturer recommend three week interval
and thinking "it couldn't hurt".
 
Mustella nigripes and mustella furo seem particularly vunerable to this sort
of problem - read the Fox book for example about what happened when 2cc
doses were given isntead of 1cc doses.
 
The manufacturers of Galaxy-D do not recommend their product for ferrets so
they do not have recommended procedures.  United Vaccines who manufactures
Fervac-D would not recommend a three week interval if a two week interval
was safer.  They would be happy to recommend more shots pushing more product
if it was a safer course.
 
United's veterinarians and researchers are the most knowledgeable folks
about ferrets and canine distemper being the only ones to have done enough
testing and research to have created a product with USDA approval.
 
Consider that just as the immunity might follow your stair step increases if
a vaccine booster is given too early it will be building upon existing
levels of the virus from the vaccine.  It takes time for the virus from the
vaccine to be purged (live or dead) and you wouldn't want to boost the
levels too high by adding more from a revaccination if that puts the levels
high enough to cause problems.  It is the very deadly nature of the virus
that makes proper vaccination important that also makes improper vaccination
so potentially dangerous.
 
>This is what I was told (in an hour long+ discussion with my vet)
 
We've had such long discussions with numerous vets including a specialist
from United Vaccines.  Try calling Dr. Curlee at United.
 
>From:    Karen Daigneault <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Question
 
In our discussions with vets about reactions in ferrets we've reached the
conclusion that vets are by far the most equiipped to deal with potential
reactions.  But on the other side of the coin it seems ironically that vets
are perhaps more likely to have to deal with reactions.  Stress level in the
ferret seems a critical factor.  We'd recommend that unless you are fully
prepared to deal with all consequences of a reaction situation leave it to
the vets but further we recommend that the 'safest' course to reduce the
odds of a reaction is to make these vaccinations a seperate trip from other
procedures.  Of course a quick checkup with low stress levels is fine but
things like teeth celanings so increase the stress in the ferrets that it
would be best to leave them for a different visit.
 
>From:    oceti <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Introductions,Odd bone structure in kit
>1) G&D both get ferretone daily, about 3/4 tsp.
 
We prefer to feed a balanced diet from the kibble base rather than vitamin
supplements.  With proper foods such oil additives are not needed.  The
majority of vets seem to believe the vitamin A issue has been blown out of
proportion.  It is not a serious problem.  But there is a minority opinion
that it might be.  But there is about the same size minority that are
terribly worried about overdosing fromt he fatty acids leading to pancreatic
problems.  Safest course is much smaller dosages using the oils as treats.
 
>2) Digger has a funny bone structure- her breast-bone and bottom of the
>rib cage is slightly protruding and seems lower than on Gracie
 
Without seeing for "oursevles" we can't know obviously but there are many
factors involved and none we can think of off hand are anything to be
concerned about.  While judging ferrets bill checks the bone structure of
hundreds of ferrets and says there is a lot of variance.  Think like a
ferret "don't worry"
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1939]