Laura L'Heureux says: > My own additional $.02 is that although the risk of a ferret contracting > distemper is small, if it were to happen, there is absolutely no cure. As > far as we know, it is 100% lethal in ferrets. ... > Vaccinating a sensitive > animal is a risk. But it is one for which we can be prepared. Accidents are > not. ... Two years ago, Jerry, one of our two 5 year olds, had a moderate reaction to FervacD (some vomiting). This past year she had a violent reaction to FervacD that almost killed her. The next time she gets FervacD may very well kill her, especially since I believe that subsequent reactions in a sensitized animal (or human) are likely worse than a prior reaction. I was prepared to take the risk using a antihistamine shot in advance if the vaccine used was FrommD. I am not prepared to take the risk and subject her again to FervacD. I have doubts that a preparatory antihistamine shot would be enough. It is a matter of balancing risks --- I judge the small chance of getting distemper a better risk than the high chance of Jerry dying of anaphylactic shock if she were vaccinated again with FervacD. With other ferrets that have not previously had a violent reaction to this vaccine the risk balance and conclusion would be different. The youngest, Buttercup, has had no reaction to FervacD and will continue to be vaccinated. I hope that the situation with GalaxyD has been resolved by the time Ben & Jerry come up for vaccination in May. --- Bill Sebok [Posted in FML issue 1036]