Recently, I posted an article here about giving Fervac vaccinations.  Since
then, MY e-mail box has been flooded with questions about how to vaccinate
ferrets and what dosages or counter agents should be used.  First of all,
unless you are a major shelter that sees lots of fuzzies each year and
have been around awhile( you all know who you are) The Ferretguy does
not condone the giving of Fervac D by anone but the qualified Dr. or
experienced shelter operator.  Each reaction is different and there is a
differeent protocol used for each and every reaction witnessed.  And there
are complications down the road such as cardiomyopathy to deal with if it
is not addressed in a timely manner.  Not to mention the drugs needed to
countereact a reaction, should not normally be found in the home and are
not just handed out by a vet unless the vet trust this person implicitly.
You'll notice in my post obout Fervac D, I was pretty general about the
dosages and such.  I am proud of the record of vaccinations here at the
shelter, with only 3 reactions at all, none given by me personally.  We
need the attention!  We need the support and donations and there fore have
to let folks know how successful we are when it comes to what we all have
in common, the fuzzies.  But I do not condone medical procedures on ferrets
at home.  Please forgive me if that was the message I sent.  Qualified,
and I mean someone who has seen lots of ferrets for a long time, should
only be doing vaccinations on your ferrets.  The money you save by doing
it yourself may not be worth the problems ahead for you and your ferret.
I do want to thank al of you who did write in and ask for advice.  I have
carefully considered this and don't believe the average person is capable
of dealin with a ferret squirting blood from his rectum and other orifices
and anaphalaxsis and some of the other gruesome things that can happen
during a reaction
 
Hugs to all,
Ferretguy.
[Posted in FML issue 3259]