A while back, someone asked about the acceptance of shots given at
home.  In my experience, if you could provide the receipt showing when and
where the vaccine was purchased from, the empty vial(s), and a log showing
the history of the shots given, this was ample proof for the vet. My vet
always did a routine exam prior to issuing the certificate.  But I would
check with the vet ahead of time.
        I have to add my $.02 about giving shots at home. There are some
pros and cons to be considered. (Sorry this is so long.)
        The pros are 1.) the lower cost of shots - which run about $2.00
for distemper  2.) and the ability to choose your own vaccine. For
shelter owners and owners with many animals, this can be a significant
savings over the years. As far as the brand goes, my vet is forced by the
owners of the clinic to use Galaxy-D since it can be given to many
species.  I prefer Fervac which I get from United Vaccine. And I am very
comfortable giving shots since I was raised on a farm and have done this
since I was in 4-H.
        The cons, however, should be seriously considered. 1.) If you give
shots at home, you *must* have epinephrine available and know how to use
it. (IMHO, I think that everyone should have epinephrine available anyway.
What if your ferret got stung by a bee and was allergic to it?)
Epinephrine is a *very* powerful drug and, if used improperly, can kill.
The cost is nil - about $2.50 for 10 ml from Omaha vaccine - in other
words, cheap insurance.  2.) Do you know what to do if your ferret goes
into anaphalaxis?  How serious of a reaction requires an injection of
epinephrine?  How much epinephrine? (Not all vets are willing to share
this information and probably rightfully so.) If anaphalaxis occurs, you
will probably be in a panic. Can you react rationally?  3.) The cost of
just one emergency visit to an after-hours clinic to treat a reaction can
wipe out the savings of giving shots at home for years!  4.) As Dr.
Williams once said, vaccinations are the bread and butter of a
veterinarians practice. The little bit they make on vaccinations pays for
a lot of other less profitable procedures.
        When Cooper went into anaphalaxis following his Fervac injection
in April, it took me a few moments to realize what was happening. By the
time I had the epinephine shot prepared, he was not breathing, was totally
limp, and had turned blue around the mouth. (It took less than 2 minutes
from the time he got the distemper shot until he was "dead.") My visit to
the emergency clinic was $67 - $49 for the after-hours office visit and
the remainder for the fluids and steriods. The visit to my regular vet the
next day was $30 for follow-up steriods and more fluids.
        Cooper is fine now, but I figure that the shot I gave at home cost
me about $60 extra (assuming he would have reacted even if the vet gave
him the shot.) It takes a lot of shots at home to make up that difference.
So is it worth it?  Unless you have a lot of animals, are a shelter, or
are a breeder, probably not.  Let your vet assume the responsibility.  The
vet will know what to do if an emergency arises. This is my opinion
only.....
 
        -Carla
 
PS. Always, *always* stay at the vets and monitor the ferret for at least 30
minutes after any shot!
[Posted in FML issue 1267]