Hi, This is my first time writing to the list, but I've been loving it vicariously! I have seven little guys (and gals), four neutered males, one unneuterd guy, and two whole females (albinos) - I'll get the technical terms down one day. There's also big old Wellington, 15 years, sixteen pounds, cat - sort of the Yoda (wise old sod) of the group. It's time for yearly vaccinations for some, probably others, so I've been researching the subject, not so simple any more since we acquired new family members with sketchy vaccination histories. I'll try and simplify my questions - sigh..* Regarding MF ferrets. Is there a definite vaccination policy on them. I'm wondering if the MF ferrets I acquired as adults, ever had a big enough boost of distemper vac. to begin with -- it's too late to ask the owners. A couple we've had vaccinated (they were acquired at different times), but not with two-series shot recommended for adults with unknown histories, as I didn't know about the series previously. If they do need the two-shot series is it okay they be given four weeks apart instead of three? I've heard conflicting info. on this. I'm taking them to a mobile pet vaccination clinic, with the blessing of my good vet. I've spoken to the owner of the clinic, a vet who is at the clinics, who assured me she'd be available in case of reactions - the clinic's only five blocks from my house and it's open during my vet's hours (ten blocks away). The mobile clinic vet said she hadn't seen reactions to vaccinations and giving the rabies and distember - (Fervac and Imrhab spelling??? is what she uses, as does my vet, so they pass muster there) - were fine. My vet suggested separate times for the individual vacs, so if there were a reaction he'd know which drug was being reacted to - makes sense to me so I'll do that. My vet also said it would be okay to vac. the guy who had one 5 months ago (distember), so as to get everybody on the same annual schedule (said it would only boost his immunity). BTW, I questioned my vet about anesthesia and he said he uses Isoflorine (sp??!!) for shorter term general anesthetic, but uses a "cocktail (yuk!)" of the Isoflorine and a tranquilizer (phonetically, sounds like asepromisine and, the other he mentioned, ketamine). I'm asking him about this in case there's a reaction to vacs; I want to know that they'd get the best possible care (and check up on my vet's experience). My vet has taken care of one of our ferrets during an illness (a virus, I think), from which the little guy came back, and he's open to new learning, but I'm just checking with our online vets who have lots of experience with ferrets, more than him I presume. He is a very caring vet. That's about it for now. Sorry about the length - tried to simplify!! But I want to get good care established for the kids BEFORE there's an emergency. Oh, by the way. My SO, who loves the ferrets, says he doesn't think we need to get rabies shots for them, that they'll "never" be exposed to this. I said that if they ever bit anyone, proof of rabies could insure they weren't destroyed. He says this wouldn't happen. Opinions? We live in the Seattle area, don't have visitors to our home regularly, and don't take the guys beyond the yard much, though I would like too. Guess I could just go ahead and get the rabies shots myself - is it an annual requirement?? Thank you all for everything already!! Lynn The unfixed menage: Tarzan: "Me Tarzan!" Minnie: "You stink, ick!" Claudette (mom of Minnie): "Minniekins that's rude (he does stink, though, doesn't he ;)] Tarzan: "I'm a hunk!) M & C: "Get him!" All: "Muck, muck, muck, muck - sccreeach! - dook, dook, dook..." [Posted in FML issue 1337]