suzi lambert <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >I was wondering, can distemper be contracted from other means than direct >contact with other infected animals (such as contaminated fomites) Canine distemper virus is airborne -- so, yes, you can bring it in on your shoes. Here on Long Island we get outbreaks of CDV every so often, making it that much more important to vaccinate. >One last question, one of my young ferrets had a reaction with vomiting, >bloody feces and lethargy. He was promptly treated since I wait at >least 45 min in the vets office. But it was still pretty scary. > >Will the next distemper vaccine cause a more severe reaction in him? > >Also, how much benadryl should be used to pre treat ferrets before shots? If possible, you'll want to try a different CDV vaccine. There are now two CDV vaccines approved for use in ferrets: Fervac-D (United) and Purevax (Merial). To answer your question: Yes, your ferret could have a much worse reaction next time. Or pre-treating could make a difference. Our Knuks had a bad reaction one year, and no reaction the next with pre-treatment. The following year she had another bad reaction -- and had no more vaccinations after that (she died of an unrelated problem before she could get another vaccination). Sabrina had a mild reaction (vomiting only) one year, then had no more reactions with pre-treatment for several years after. The safe bet is to switch vaccines. Until the Merial vaccine was approved, our vet pre-treated all ferrets getting the Fervac-D shot. Now only ferrets that have previously reacted get pre-treated; though I don't know that he's had any reactions yet with the Merial vaccine. I have never pre-treated a ferret with oral Benedryl -- my vet has always used an injectable. We pre-treat the ferret(s) who have reacted previously, then go on to vaccinate the others, then go back to the pre-treated ferret for the vaccination. In the case of Knuks, she had a serious reaction despite pre-treatment. The pre-treatment helped saved her life, though it was my vet and his staff who get the credit for pulling her through. You might want to talk with your vet about switching vaccines and/or about pre-treating with an injectable. --Mary & the Fuzzies ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Mary R. Shefferman, Editor, Modern Ferret Magazine Trixie, Koosh, & Gabby, The Modern Ferrets Read my blog -- http://www.modernferretblog.com/mary [Posted in FML issue 4114]