>From: suzi lambert [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > >I was wondering, when ferrets get their shots (distemper and rabies >vaccine) does your vet use the shoulder/neck area or the back leg area? Somehow I missed this when it first came through. Reading too fast, I guess. The site used really depends on what is being administered, and somewhat on the preference of the vet. Most vaccines can be given subcutaneously, and for that, the area over the shoulders offers the most loose skin and the easiest entry. One of my vets even told me that administering vaccines in the thigh area carries a much higher risk of causing granulomas (chronically inflamed masses). If you're giving several vaccines at once (not really recommended anyway), you'll want to inject into different sites, so using different sides of the shoulders works well for this. We have only ever had vaccines injected over the shoulders - and have given fluids in the same spot. On the other hand, some meds like Lupron have to be injected intramuscularly (into a muscle) to be effective. For that, the thigh offers the largest single muscle mass in the body, which on a tiny ferret, easily makes it the most preferred target. Still other meds - generally critical care or for surgical use - have yet other requirements and may have to be injected intravenously or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity - think rabies shots for humans). roger missing bear, lancelot and kodi [Posted in FML issue 4429]