This is a first-time message to the FML, so I will include a brief
introductory note after the main topic.
 
Hi all! Our seven month-old male is due for a whole slew of vaccinations in
the weeks to come. I've been shopping around for a local veterinarian who
will administer Fervac-D, since I have an idea it's best for the little guy.
He already got one distemper shot from the breeder, so I'm expecting he'll
need two or three more, in addition to the rabies vaccination in a couple
months.
 
I spoke to one veterinarian who said he could administer a modified-live
virus called United, and that the ferret would only need two shots (total)
instead of the regular three or four.  Now, this contradicts what I have
read in the FAQ, and so I am wary.  We are already head-over-heels in love
with the little weasel, and he will get whatever he needs to be as safe as
possible from illnesses.  At the same time, if we can save the tiny little
fellow from having to go through one extra painful poke, I wouldn't mind
paying extra for that.  Is it possible that this "United" might be a new
or different sort of vaccine, one that doesn't require as many pokes?  Or
should we keep looking for another ferret doctor?
 
--
 
Brief introductory note: My S.O.  and I have been interested in becoming
ferret folk for some time now, but what really spurred us into taking the
plunge was, ironically, the Kimberly Marsh/Bandit horridness.  We live in
the Salt Lake City area (about 50 miles away from Provo, where the incident
took place), so it hit us close to home.  For some reason, the event
disturbed us a lot more than other horrible things that get reported in the
news.  In a way, I guess adopting a small ferret was my way of making
something good come out of something so sickening and shocking as those
idiots' bigoted, vicious murder of that helpless creature.
 
Anyway, after doing a bunch of research and talking to experienced ferret
folks, we finally brought our tyke home!  Frankly, our ferret is brilliant.
He has learned to use his litter box in less than a week (well, okay, he
has learned to use the area /next to/ his litter box, but still!) and he is
not in the least a biter (small, light nips during play are good and normal,
right?) Our cats seem to like him, and one of our dogs is completely,
neurotically enamoured of him.  We are still trying to find out what his
name is.  We think it's either Lucky, Quark, or Meko, but who knows?
Anyway, thanks to everyone who has contributed informative and invaluable
information to the list!
 
-Brandon + he who shall remain nameless (for the time being)
[Posted in FML issue 2409]