>From: Maggie <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: For Roxie's Mommy >On a slightly angry note and not directed to ferret wise shelter, I got an >email today from someone who sent it anon. Another distressing sign that some folks think they know far more than they do. Cheryl (and Chris) Geodeke are some of the very best people we know helping ferrets AND helping people. If they think that helping Maggie is the correct thing to do then we have no doubt that that is the best way to proceed. If they thought Maggie was unfit they would not place ferrets with her. >From: Patricia Curtis <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: Distemper Vaccination Question >At a point, which my vet feels is around the 14-day mark, I would advise you and your vet that all cases of vaccine induced distemper we are aware of came when a vet decided to give shots at a two week interval thinking it was "safer" than the manufacturer recommend three week interval and thinking "it couldn't hurt". Mustella nigripes and mustella furo seem particularly vunerable to this sort of problem - read the Fox book for example about what happened when 2cc doses were given isntead of 1cc doses. The manufacturers of Galaxy-D do not recommend their product for ferrets so they do not have recommended procedures. United Vaccines who manufactures Fervac-D would not recommend a three week interval if a two week interval was safer. They would be happy to recommend more shots pushing more product if it was a safer course. United's veterinarians and researchers are the most knowledgeable folks about ferrets and canine distemper being the only ones to have done enough testing and research to have created a product with USDA approval. Consider that just as the immunity might follow your stair step increases if a vaccine booster is given too early it will be building upon existing levels of the virus from the vaccine. It takes time for the virus from the vaccine to be purged (live or dead) and you wouldn't want to boost the levels too high by adding more from a revaccination if that puts the levels high enough to cause problems. It is the very deadly nature of the virus that makes proper vaccination important that also makes improper vaccination so potentially dangerous. >This is what I was told (in an hour long+ discussion with my vet) We've had such long discussions with numerous vets including a specialist from United Vaccines. Try calling Dr. Curlee at United. >From: Karen Daigneault <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Question In our discussions with vets about reactions in ferrets we've reached the conclusion that vets are by far the most equiipped to deal with potential reactions. But on the other side of the coin it seems ironically that vets are perhaps more likely to have to deal with reactions. Stress level in the ferret seems a critical factor. We'd recommend that unless you are fully prepared to deal with all consequences of a reaction situation leave it to the vets but further we recommend that the 'safest' course to reduce the odds of a reaction is to make these vaccinations a seperate trip from other procedures. Of course a quick checkup with low stress levels is fine but things like teeth celanings so increase the stress in the ferrets that it would be best to leave them for a different visit. >From: oceti <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Introductions,Odd bone structure in kit >1) G&D both get ferretone daily, about 3/4 tsp. We prefer to feed a balanced diet from the kibble base rather than vitamin supplements. With proper foods such oil additives are not needed. The majority of vets seem to believe the vitamin A issue has been blown out of proportion. It is not a serious problem. But there is a minority opinion that it might be. But there is about the same size minority that are terribly worried about overdosing fromt he fatty acids leading to pancreatic problems. Safest course is much smaller dosages using the oils as treats. >2) Digger has a funny bone structure- her breast-bone and bottom of the >rib cage is slightly protruding and seems lower than on Gracie Without seeing for "oursevles" we can't know obviously but there are many factors involved and none we can think of off hand are anything to be concerned about. While judging ferrets bill checks the bone structure of hundreds of ferrets and says there is a lot of variance. Think like a ferret "don't worry" bill and diane killian zen and the art of ferrets http://www.zenferret.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 1939]