Your ferret will need to be vaccinated often to protect them from several viruses that they can pick up from dogs and wild animals. Ferrets obtained from pet stores typically will have their first year of vaccines, which include: Rabies and Canine Distemper.
About 6% of ferrets that receive vaccines can have very bad reactions to them but they are typically due to the following reasons:
1. Hypoglycemia – Research has shown that low blood sugar levels can predispose ferrets to having reactions after being administered vaccines. Best way to avoid this is to feed the ferret during their vaccination appointment with chicken-based treats or food.
2. Wrong Type of Vaccine – There are only 3 USDA-approved rabies vaccines for ferrets (Defensor 1 or 3, IMRAB 3, and Nobivac 1-Rabies). It is best to use a rabies vaccine this is free of thimerosal (a preservative found in some vaccines). There is only 1 USDA-approved distemper vaccine for ferrets (Purevax Ferret Distemper). Using vaccines that are not USDA-approved for ferrets greatly increases the risk of your ferret having an reaction to vaccine administration.
3. Too Many Vaccines At One Time – It is best practice to space the vaccines to be administered one at a time with 3-4 weeks spacing between each vaccine. When your ferret is getting vaccines, please plan to stay a little bit longer after your appointment (sometimes up to 30 minutes after administration of vaccines) to ensure your pet does not have any reactions. Vaccine reactions will happen pretty quickly in ferrets – 30 minutes or less. Reactions can manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling. Injectable diphenhydramine can be administered to your pet ferret if a reaction does occur.
Canine Distemper:
After their initial 3 rounds of this vaccine when they are less than 6 months of age, ferrets will need this vaccine boostered yearly.
In Texas, there was a recent outbreak of distemper in ferrets in 2022 which eventually spread to the rest of the United States. This virus is 100% fatal to ferrets. It can be transferred by contact with dogs shedding the virus, wildlife, and contaminated objects (fomites) such as shoes, clothing, etc.
Rabies:
Ferrets are vaccinated for rabies after 3 months of age and then updated annually.
Rabies is nearly 100% fatal in dogs, cats, ferrets, and humans. Rabies is contracted from bite wounds or contact of infected saliva with the blood stream. Worldwide, 60,000 humans still die annually from rabies.
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