I read with interest the first part of Ann Davis' report on the problems associated with Fervac-D. I was quite alarmed bny the following passage that I found therein: "Dr. Lisa Chambreau, DVM, writes in a study recently prepared for Baltimore Ferret Friends that vaccinating ferrets for distemper, if continued beyond the stage of kit injections, causes a "predisposition to other problems of overall ill health for all of them, e.g. tumors, diabetes, skin problems, appetite problems, Cushing's disease, etc." Especially important, she added, "is the effect of vaccinating on making the animal susceptible to opportunistic infections like the green diarrhea." Following reading this, I took the opportunity to speak with Dr. Chambreau concerning these remarks. Dr. Chambreau is a homeopathic veterinarian, a distinction that I reel need sto be made clear. Practitioners of homeopathic medicine use herbs and natural remedies to treat animals. While I believe there is a lot to be said for living a clean life, eating the right type of food, etc. I cannot agree with Dr. Chambreau's remarks and find them a bit on the irresponsible side. There is no scientific evidence to support her assertion that vaccination leads to neoplasms, Cushing's disease, skin problems, etc. Her statement is based on anecdotal information, which is extracted from dogs and cats, not ferrets. I am seeing a definite rise in the cases of distemper at the AFIP. This is a killer disease with no treatment. If an unvaccinated ferret contracts it, it will die, period. And they do. Immunity is not long lasting - this is why we give boosters on an annual basis. I boost my animals every year. I cannot encourage this enough. If there is hard evidence on distemper vaccinations predisposing animals to other disease, I would like to see it. But it's not out there yet, and until it is, I will continue to vaccinate my ferrets once a year. Bruce Williams, DVM [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 0719]