ferret distemper vaccination?

RE: ferret distemper vaccination?

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 09 May 2021 08:55:03 GMT

I also used to use the nobivac DHPPI/DHP routinely for ferrets. (Don't do much ferret work any more).

RE: ferret distemper vaccination?

Madonna Livingstone — Sat, 08 May 2021 16:37:39 GMT

Definitely certain vaccines run the risk of actually inducing distemper in ferrets. Been using nobivac and then canigen (both actually the same vaccine made same factory just with different labels) for twenty years in ferrets and never had a problem.

RE: ferret distemper vaccination?

Julian Earl — Sat, 08 May 2021 16:29:24 GMT

Joyce, when I worked in Lancashire many years ago we vaccinated a lot of ferrets and were strongly advised to only use a killed vaccine, The live vaccine strains can be pathogenic in mustelids. I can only assume this is still true? Hope this helps. Good luck ! At that time BTW, at that time [the 1980s!!! we used to see distemper cases in dogs on a weekly basis with full outbreaks every 3-4 years! Outbreaks meaning seeing 6-10 or more cases in the town's dogs! every week. My estimate was that 50% of the dogs died as a result. But the challenge around the town was clearly high!

RE: ferret distemper vaccination?

Madonna Livingstone — Sat, 08 May 2021 15:20:52 GMT

I use canigen dhppi and dissolve with diluent. Nobivac is safe too. Personally I give 0.5ml per ferret. The manufacturers changed advice about 8 yr ago ish and started advising a full dose but I have still stuck to 0.5ml as they couldn’t tell me why they changed the advice. They also recommend years boosters but studies have shown that around 80% ferrets still have protective antibodies three years after vax so I recommend every two years

RE: ferret distemper vaccination?

Joyce Whitehead — Sat, 08 May 2021 11:56:40 GMT

Can I ask which vaccine you use Madonna? Just in case I’m asked for some to be done! Thanks.

RE: ferret distemper vaccination?

Madonna Livingstone — Sat, 08 May 2021 09:53:03 GMT

As distemper is 100% fatal in ferrets I regularly vaccinate them (including my own ferrets) We see a lot of ferrets but usually only vaccinate those that are walked or worked. I discuss it with the owners so they can make an informed decision. With the high numbers of dogs being brought into the country and the fact that there have been a few isolated cases of distemper in some of these dogs I reckon it’s only a matter of time before there is a bigger issue.

RE: ferret distemper vaccination?

Joyce Whitehead — Sat, 08 May 2021 09:46:41 GMT

I remember doing a few distemper vaccinations in ferrets in the 80s when I first qualified, but we saw active cases in dogs then so it made sense. I have a feeling we could also source a distemper only jab, but that might not be right. I too haven’t seen distemper for many years. We see quite a lot of ferrets, being rural, and haven’t been asked for it. I wonder if the questions has arisen from USA sites where they are hugely popular pets maybe?