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Post by rattum on May 26, 2010 11:03:24 GMT -5
Do you have your ferrets vaccinated? I'm all about minimal drugs in my animal's bodies. My dog get rabies since it's a legal requirement, and distemper. She does not go out around other dogs. Does my ferret NEED vaccines?
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Post by mustelidmusk on May 26, 2010 19:39:55 GMT -5
There may be a legal requirement for rabies and/or distemper where you live. If your brats will be handled by a lot of other people and especially kids, you may want to do the rabies shots. Some parents get all flipped out if their kids get scratched by an animal, and they I believe they can demand that your ferret be destroyed for testing.
There are legal requirements for rabies vacs. in Co., but my vet does not make me give them. Nobody except for family, the vet, and very close friends gets near my brats.
As far as distemper goes, we have a LOT of distemper in our area, so the likely hood of exposure is high (wild animals are all over our yard, both front and back). You can track it in on your shoes.
So, Here is what I have found to work well for distemper: Complete the baby series of shots, and then provide one booster a year later.
I checked distemper titers after the baby series, and one of my brats was marginally covered. The thing that's odd about the baby series is that the requirement for 3 shots reflects the fact that the series coupled with the natural immunities passed on by the mother can result in cancellation of the immune response thus leaving minimal protection against distemper. This is why the first year booster is recommended. It takes care of any residual deficiencies that may have been left by the baby series. SOme people will give a booster every three years, starting after the first annual booster. I'm not doing this. I check titers afte the annual booster, and the brats have rediculously high titers for protection.
If your'e interested in checking titers, I recommend that Google "Mongo Distemper". Or you can go to the Amereican Ferret Association (AFA) web site and search for the Mongo Distemper there. The Mongo Distemper study is collection tier data to determine if we're overvaccinating our ferrets, so it's good to contribute data. In addition, you can get titers tested for $10.00 per ferret IF you and you vet follow ALL the instructions as outlined in the information packet provided on the AFA web site.
Some people on this site don't vaccinate for distemper. They probably do not have the extreme risk factor that I have with the local wildlife.
-jennifer
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Post by Heather on May 26, 2010 23:05:10 GMT -5
I'm one of the crazy ones that Jennifer is talking about I don't vaccinate, not at all. I've done my research and I''m comfortable about the risks. My dog has never had any shots and in a year I will probably get a rabies shot for him because it's a legal matter (this is the only shot by the way that has legal mandate in most areas, distemper isn't a legal mandate in many areas but vets often say it is). I've made this decision because of the large numbers of wild life we come into contact with. He will also be 3 yrs old by this time and all growth and immune systems will have reached maturity. My ferrets never get vaccinated. Our ferrets' immune systems are so compromised I just absolutely refuse to add any more poisons to their systems than absolutely necessary. This is my decision, one that I made after years of study, countless hours of asking questions and even more time on some no vaccine lists to arm myself with the just in case. I've titered on occasion and found that most of my guys have reasonable levels. You will find a wide variety of opinions on this topic, in fact it can get as hot and nasty and the live prey topic going on in the general questions section right now . What you have to remember is what you do is for you and your furkids, you don't answer to anyone except yourself and your concience. ciao
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Post by rattum on May 27, 2010 5:59:28 GMT -5
See, my dog gets her rabies vac (The bare minimum, because she is allergic to the vaccine.). And she had all her puppy shots. I'll be getting her a distemper shot annually, I guess. Only because she is a terrier, and it is only a matter of time before she kills some form of wild life. We keep her away from things, but I know her natural instinct. I believe I will not be vaccinating my ferret.
I don't LIKE vaccines. I feel like there is more harm than good.
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Post by Heather on May 27, 2010 12:11:08 GMT -5
I would be doing some serious reading about the distemper shots....for your dog. My understanding is that the vaccine once given is good for life. I would be doing a titer to confirm but my understanding is that most dog's immune systems are good enough to hold a reasonable immune response to this di-sease and repeat vaccines actually do more damage than good. The basic concept is that once an animal or human for that matter has had an immune response to either the di-sease or the vaccine, to continue to bombard that body doesn't do any good in fact causes damage to the immune system and actually overwhelms it to cause a breakdown in the system. If your dog has already had an allergic reaction to a vaccine, I would not (personally) be getting any further vaccinations ciao
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Post by rattum on May 27, 2010 12:27:05 GMT -5
You think? My dog will be 1.5 on August 28th. She's never been actually SICK. She was given her rabies vac at the same time as her spay, she had an allergic reaction, was rushed to e-vet and given benadryl to ease the hives and swelling of her face. The event was so stressful for her that she developed mange. Took 2 months to get rid of that, and she also has luxating patella, but not bad enough for surgery, yet. Aside from her throwing up and having diarrhea from kibbled food, she's never been SICK. Since raw, her luxating patella has gotten somewhat better, and she's not had any stomach problems.
She had her first set of puppy shots at 6 weeks, including distemper and parvo. At her age, I think she would have a sufficient immunity. I'm not quite sure what a titer is, but I can contact my vet and inquire about it. They were pressing the canine influenza vaccine, as well as bordatella, and a worming med. I don't want any of those. My dog is not nice to other dogs and isn't exposed to them, lol.
I have been asking around to get as much info as possible. The only vaccine I'd like to give her is the rabies every 3 years. I would prefer not to have my ferret on anything. He will be indoors, with ocassional walks and playing in my fenced in yard. The only other animals in my yard are my dogs, which won't be out when he is, and we have a small fish pond with comets, and bullfrogs.
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Post by luci on May 27, 2010 13:49:48 GMT -5
You should check into having a vet write a waiver for your dog since he has had a reaction to the vaccine. Personally, I would not chance another possibly worse reaction by vaccinating at all ever again. And your vet should support that. If he/she doesn't that would be a sign that money is more important than your pet's health and I would be taking my business elsewhere.
I have found a holistic vet that supports my "crazy" no vax, raw-feeding choices and instead of spending my money with them on vaccinations, pesticides and supplements, I spend my money on wellness checks every six months to a year. I also make it clear that I won't be bullied or guilted into treatments I feel are unneccesary or harmful and that I am perfectly willing to spend my money elsewhere. Another important tool is to always ask for copies of your animals' records and keep your own files. Not only is it just a good idea to have that information in case you need to see another vet in an emergency situation, but it sends a message to your vet that you are in control and are knowledgeable about your pets' care.
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Post by rattum on May 27, 2010 13:59:16 GMT -5
I can do that? As in sign a waiver. Isn't that dangerous if she ever bit someone, though? They could take her away.
I have ALL records together, and never throw them away. Just in case. They have it in her file that she is allergic. They said her next rabies, she'll get a shot of benedryl beforehand. But I'm still worried.
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Post by luci on May 27, 2010 15:01:07 GMT -5
Look into what the laws are in your area. If your pet does bite someone, but has a vax waiver from the vet and possibly current titer results they should allow a quarantine at home. Check the laws and make an informed decision weighing the risks and benefits. Think of it this way... If this were a human child, what would a doctor recommend? Would you put your child through the possibility of a severe reaction to the vax knowing how low the risk of contracting the disease is? How many cases of rabies have their been in your area? Distemper?
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Post by Heather on May 27, 2010 15:14:11 GMT -5
You're vet is a little vaccine happy (don't mean to offend ) My vet supports my crazy no vaccine mandate too, I was surprised as she does push vaccines. Your dog has had a rabies, they cannot take her away. She will have to be quarantined but they can't take her unless you refuse to quarantine. The quarantine mandate is 10 days to 2 weeks. If you've got a vet waver she will still have to be quarantined but they won't demand a rabies shot after the quarantine. If you're afraid that she may bite someone muzzle her for the times that she's in public. The age of your pups vaccines bother me because I don't want you to feel a false sense of security. Now, my boy (dog) has never had a vaccine, he comes from non-vaccinated parents, and grandparents. I do know that the problem with primary vaccines and the reason why vets give so many as puppies grow is because there is no defined time that the mother's immunity (passed on to the nursing pups) wears off. The theory is that if the vaccine is given but the pup is still protected by the mother's immunities the vaccine will be non-functioning. That's why the distemper shot at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 16 weeks (I think that's the old method but it gives you an idea as to how long ago I've done this ) The mother's immunity supposedly starts to break down in the puppies sometime during this period, so the vaccine is given multiple times to hopefully cover the puppy and not leave it vulnerable. All it's actually doing is overloading an immature system with toxins By the way bordatella vaccine is next to worthless (kennel cough) a dog with a healthy immune system will be able to fight it off and many get the di-sease from the vaccine. I also wouldn't touch the canine flu shot anymore than I trust the companies that make the flu vaccine for humans. You state that your dog spends it's whole time basically in your own space....these are things for show dogs and people who board or kennel their dogs. I've shown dogs for years and never bothered with those vaccines. Again this is all up to you, but I would be doing some serious research. A lot of these vaccines are not worth the risk of the various side effects and immense strain on the poor animals immune system. As far as a wormer, take a stool sample in if it's clear you don't need the wormer. I've not had to worm a dog, cat or ferret in years ciao
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Post by mustelidmusk on May 27, 2010 18:22:24 GMT -5
I think all vets will waive the rabies vacc. requirement if the animal has had a true allergic (systemic) reaction (hives, etc.).
There may be a requirement for testing titers if the actual vaccine is waived. You can google something like "pet vaccinations holistic vet" and you'll probably find a lot of info on vaccinations and options. This will give you a better feel for the risks and various recommendations.
-jennifer
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Post by Chelsea on May 29, 2010 12:57:01 GMT -5
A friend of mine has a dog who has IMHA, he can NEVER have another vaccination, EVER. He gets yearly titers done for rabies just as a precaution.
I also do not vaccinate either of my ferrets. They do not go around people or animals I do not know, and are never outside where they could get near other animals. If they are outside, Im either walking them on leash, or they are in a secure cage up out of the reach of any animals.
Bailey is vaccinated for rabies every 3 years. Luckily in my state, they only require rabies vaccines every 3 years instead of every year. He gets that becuase is does go around other dogs sometimes, and you never know whats going to happen.
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Post by AnimalFarm2006 on Oct 31, 2010 6:58:56 GMT -5
The only reason why I updated my guys shots from the initial few they got was because I am going to the show in december. Lelloo is being put in. And Monster is going because he's my insulinoma boy and needs his meds.
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Post by acodlin on Nov 1, 2010 15:48:51 GMT -5
I recently adopted a bonded group of 7 from a local humane society. All of them had been vaccinated for rabies.. 3 of the 7 had reactions that caused large lumps behind their arms.
I won't be revaccinating them next year. I have dogs, I have cats, but the chance of them getting rabies is pretty low, and they are hardly around my ferrets since they have their own room. I've gone back and forth on distemper because I can carry that in without knowing, but I HATE the idea of someone getting sick because I vaccinated them. It was so stressful worrying about those lumps on my new guys and I don't want to go through that again, or worse and have someone have a reaction and die.
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Post by sunnyberra on Nov 1, 2010 16:39:18 GMT -5
I vaccinated Pixie until she was three. Yogi has gotten his distemper boosters and a distemper shot the following year and 1 rabies shot. Sian has only gotten her distemper boosters and 1 rabies shot, since she had multiple reactions with her vaccines. After that, I decided that was enough, and don't plan on any revaccinations (the new girl I'm getting Sat. is current, but I don't intend on revaxing her, either). My vets have all been okay with it, and a few were even encouraging/happy about it, so
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