Hello FML family, I write this with the heaviest of hearts and the best intentions possible. I cannot believe I'm at the computer or doing anything other than resting. As a rescue we have been at this work for 1yr. The illness & diseases that have come through here well, we've definitely had a crash course. I surly can't believe I'll even start this conversation so to speak - up. Let me just say in advance that we have a great support system of other rescues. Here where we live as well as other states. I cannot stress enough about educating yourself and learning from others and going with your gut instinct. All the adrenal issues as well as insulinoma and being possibly related to over vaccination as one component. I am not by any means a doctor but I can tell you this much I will not opt for our ferrets not to have them. Our guys permanent residents and personals got 2 rounds this year which was after a lot of thought. Our animals always get their annuals. But i'm grateful now that the second round was done. My future decision is based upon a rescue on thur. Feb.5 he came in supposedly w/ red ears and ear mites. Upon arrival what this ferret had was dreadful looking and the most foul smelling odor I have ever smelt. And I'm not kidding on that at all. If I never smell that smell again it will be to soon. Beautiful sable mit Kennedy. 3 yrs. old. You always want so badly for these ferrets to make it but you know in your heart when one comes through the door that is beyond vet and rescue help. You just do. He was taken overnight to the vet and then another on Sat. & was put to sleep for distemper. A beautiful ferret gone because someone somewhere decided not to get his shots! If you have never seen this I hope you never do. I will never opt out of vaccinations because I fear adrenal or insulinoma in the future. What happens if they do not get their distemper I will not opt. For that ever. Unless ill. Then I'll wait till vaccine can safely be given. We got pictures another rescues thought & a good one at that. Tips of ears entirely encrusted along with paw pads about 4 times the regular size and heavy caking of yellow to green callused paws. Groin area had black circles around teets and a swollen red ulcerated groin. Chin rash that looked like black heads all over. Within 2 days this spread worse over the nose area as well. And the anus had a black encrusting around the top portion. Temp 105. Heavy crusting under chin. But no pus from eyes or nose. Ate fine & drank fine. 2lbs.11ounces. Healthy sized ferret. Pretty ugly scenario right. One word. Vaccinations. 3 baths did not get the smell off this ferret. Well he was loved for a few days and then the most humane decision was made for him. We did not want to see him go through the last stages. With tears pouring down our face we said goodbye to Kennedy. And alas he is freed. Now this seems like we went through this alone but no we did not. Other rescues were there to answer their phones. As you can believe I was pretty frantic and I won't say what all else. The support is of great necessity to keep doing this work. And it also helps when you can make a phone call rather than knocking someone out for letting it get that bad before help. Hopefully this will help somehow as everything I kept searching through was informational but still a little vague as far as distemper is concerned. And hopefully I've made my point as far as vaccinations are concerned. If nothing else it's of help to me as somethings got to hold your faith true. OH the bio-odor open the bottle and smell it after about a month of using it & then smell your ferret rooms that's what made my mind up on that one. It's all trial and experience. Sicerely, Shannon [Posted in FML 6238]