Sent to FML and FHL. The two people who reported were on the Ferret Mailing List so this is being sent to both lists. My hope is that this was merely an aberration or a drug mishandling in the transport and distribution chain, but without more information... Could you both, please, ask the vets for batch numbers, serial numbers, etc? It is important to know if there may have been mishandling by a distributor or transporter, too, since for some meds that can damage batches. Some react to heat, for example, and one (both?) of these reports come from Florida, but I do NOT know if IMRAB 3 reacts badly to heat so just take that as an example of what can go wrong in some cases. I wrote directly to both who reported to see if it is possible to get those identifying numbers with hopes there will be posting of the batch number and serial number of the vaccine that caused reactions. Also, did your vets report it? The manufacturers pull lots that bring in an unusual number of reactions and also look into the supply chain in case distributors or transporters are mishandling the med. Usually IMRAB 3 causes reactions in less than 2% of the ferrets receiving it, if memory serves. They don't know if there is a problem unless it gets reported. Reporting: Report to the manufacturer. For IMRAB 3 that is Merial. 1-888-MERIAL-1 may still be the right phone number (or not) Also, report federally. If the gov't gets too many reports it does make sure manufacturers follow-up. http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/resources/pharmacobrochure.pdf http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/resources/vetadversedrug.pdf http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/resources/animaladverseevent.pdf Center for Veterinary Medicine 1-888-FDA-VETS Center for Veterinary Biologics APHIS/USDA 1-800-752-6255 http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/vet_biologics/ http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/default.htm <http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/ReportaProblem/default.htm> Sukie (not a vet) Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/ http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html [Posted in FML 6356]
