To Cindy Sooy re: Galaxy D:
 
        Cindy - Galazy D will provide the same protection as Fervac-D, so
     extra vaccinations aren't required.
 
        The basic problems at this point with Galaxy-D is two-fold, in my
     opinion.  One - testing has not been done (or at least been published)
     on ferrets to prove its efficacy, and more important, its safety.
     Which brings me to my second point - Galaxy D is grown in simian cell
     culture, quite a jump from the avian cell cultures that had previously
     been used.  this makes the modified live virus more pathogenic for
     mammalian cells.  while this probably is still OK, it may increase the
     chances for vaccinated ferrets, who are exquisitely sensitive to
     distemper, to come down with the disease.
 
        I would switch to Fervac (the distemper vaccine used by the
     WILLIAMS ferrets the whole house over....), at least until we get
     further information on Galaxy in ferrets.
 
       Bruce Williams, DVM                 Department of Veterinary Pathology
       [log in to unmask]         Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
       (202) 782-2600/2602                    Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
[Posted in FML issue 1064]