Pet store kits have their FIRST distemper shot, but need two more to have
coverage for the first year within a set amount of weeks, after that the
shots are annually.  They are also typically too young to have the rabies
vaccine.  Basically, your ferret is probably unprotected at this point.
 
Allergic reactions do NOT happen with first exposures; there have to be
earlier exposures to some ingredient or a related compound to cause the
over-response by the body since it's a matter of the body having at some
point decided that a benign substance is a bad one and training it's
antibody system to respond accordingly.  Our two who reacted did so as
adults of several years of age.
 
Vets do not only provide vaccines.  They spot an ear mite infection before
fungal complications set in, check for parasites, be sure there are no
dental problems, check into vital health issues like heart and lung health,
etc., etc., etc.  It always makes sense to get any new pet to the vet first
thing.  The age of your fur boy is such that unless there's a retained
testicle (not common) you'll know by now that he is fully altered.  I
wish pet stores let people know that a vet appointment should always be
scheduled right away for a once-over, but I think that they really feel
for the most part (not all are so irresponsible) that pets won't be bought
if they are seen as being "high maintenance".
 
Also ask your vet about giving a tiny amount of pediatric Benedryl before
the vaccinations.  VERY IMPORTANT: ask the vet to tell you what sorts of
responses you should consider to be among the normal off-color ones that
vaccines can produce vs.  the dangerous ones.  It is essential that you be
able to tell them apart so that you can jump fast when you need to do so,
or can relax when what you are seeing is fine and expected.  There are
normal aspects that look like minor illness which are simply part of the
immune system thinking that it is facing an illness it is supposed to
fight.  This is not only to be expected, but is actually desired since it
means the body is learning exactly what you want it to learn -- to fight
the disease the vaccine is targeting.  On the other hand, the rare times
that an individual turns out to be prone to a serious reaction are very
dangerous.  In the case of Meltdown she almost died within something like 5
minutes after her shot.  In her case it was very hard to save her, but our
vets did it.  Ruffle was unconscious within 10 minutes.  (These were two
individuals who were related to each other.) DO be sure to stay at the
veterinary hospital for at least 30 minutes after vaccinations in case of a
collapse.
 
Anal prolapse: when the anus protrudes and part of what is supposed to be
inside is out that's anal prolapse and it does hurt.  Sometimes it means
that the ferret's diet is inappropriate: too harsh, too dry, too fibrous,
too dairy-based, etc.  Sometimes it means that the animal is facing a GI
tract infection or irritation.  Sometimes it means that the structure which
normally holds it in place is compromised.  Make sure the ferret is not
ill.  Give a moist diet to kits doing this.  Cut out things like raisins
complately for a while.  Be sure the ferret isn't eating things like cloth,
rubber (which has also often killed with blockages), etc.  A minor one can
be replaced with a moisturized pinky (nail cut to quick) or cotton swab.
Use something without perfumes or dyes which can cause irritation, or which
might contain poisons.  Stick to things like surgical gel, petroleum jelly,
or the moisturizers for people with things like eczema (stuff like
Moisturel).  If it is pronounced in the amount out or in the color GET TO
THE VET RIGHT AWAY!  A major prolapse can cause the tissue to go necrotic
(die) and then the ferret will have to have major surgery, red is bad,
purplish is very bad but we've salvaged a situation where one fur-lady had
a sudden purple and major prolapse with immediate emergency purse-string
surgery (a very fast procedure) which she got though quickly and came home
from happy.  She really appreciated that vet and that visit -- a few
minutes of sleeping, some prickly areas, but the pain was obviously much
lessened and it helped thereafter.  If prolapses happen often the vet
will first try a purse-string to tighten the area and you need to help by
eliminating anything that causes problems.  There is larger surgery for
worse cases.  With ferrets which are prone to very minor prolapses, check
the health, eliminate things that stress the anal area (like raisins or
harsh foods), moisturize the anus regularly, and if you see the ferret
acting funny after deficating do NOT let it rub the anus.  Instead
moisturize it and either replace it gently an slowly or get yourself on
hands on knees, hold the ferret under the belly so the bum can't be dragged
and encourage the ferret to walk while you prevent the rear-end from being
put down (You'll be doing a three point crawl.).  In that technique the
walking often causes the anus to pop back right into place if it has been
first moisturized liberally.
[Posted in FML issue 2820]