|
Vaccinations
Ferrets should be vaccinated yearly for
rabies and canine distemper.
Rabies
Ferrets are NOT wild animals (they have been
domesticated for centuries), and cases of rabies in ferrets are very,
very rare. However, it is required by law for pet ferrets (just like dogs
and cats) to be vaccinated against rabies.
This shot needs to be given
annually.
For more information, see http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/rabies.
Canine Distemper
When you first acquire a ferret, if it has
not yet been vaccinated against canine distemper, you should immediately take
the ferret to the vet and get this vaccine. Canine distemper is lethal in
ferrets, just as it is in dogs.
The first time you vaccinate your ferret
for canine distemper, you will need to see the vet three times over several
weeks to space out the shots. After this first innoculation, a booster is
needed each year.
For more information about canine distemper,
see http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/distemper
and http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/distemper.htm.
For more information about ferret
vaccinations, see
http://www.ferret.org/read/vaccinations.htm.
A
very, very important note about vaccinations!
We
recommend that you schedule the annual shots of rabies and distemper on separate
days. It reduces the chance of
reactions. Sometimes a ferret can have a bad reaction to a shot.
Always, ALWAYS, wait at the vet's office AT LEAST 30 minutes after the shot has
been administered to watch for signs of a reaction.
If the ferret starts sneezing, throwing up, scratching, having diarrhea, stops
breathing or collapses, it is going into anaphylactic shock, and the vet must
IMMEDIATELY administer a shot of Benadryl and/or cortisone to counter the
effects. The vet may also want to administer epinephrine, steroids, and
fluids.
MAKE NO MISTAKE -- anaphylactic shock, if left untreated, is FATAL.
If your ferret has this reaction even just one time, it is likely that he or she
will have that reaction again. Ask your vet about scheduling
pre-vaccination shots of Benedryl and cortisone for your ferret. The
precaution shots should be administered earlier the day of or perhaps the day
before the annual booster shots of rabies and distemper. Check with your
vet for exact scheduling recommendations.
Diseases
ECE
See http://www.ferret.org/95ece.pdf
Aleutian's Disease
See
http://www.ferret.org/96aleutian.pdf
Adrenal Gland DIsease, Adrenal Tumors
See:
http://www.ferret.org/102adrenal.pdf
http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/adrenal.asp
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/melatonin.htm
Intestinal Blockage
See http://www.ferret.org/96medical.pdf
See our Ferret
Websites page for website links with more medical information.
See also:
Bathing
Nail Trimming
Ear Cleaning
Back to Information & Healthcare Homepage
|
