by princess doodah

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

There are two vaccinations that all ferrets must have; distemper and rabies.

Distemper is an air-borne disease, which also effects dogs. The effects of distemper are almost certainly fatal. The virus is extremely contagious and fast spreading so the first distemper vaccination should be given at 8 weeks, followed by another at 11-12 weeks and another 14-16 weeks. There are ferret distemper vaccines available, however canine distemper vaccines are usually used, particularly in the UK.

Rabies is a disease that is passed through saliva and is usually tranfered by a bite. All warm blooded animals and humans are suseptible to this disease. Once an animal contracts rabies there is no treating it, so it is important that your ferret has the rabies vaccine. The first rabies vaccination should be given at no earlier than three months, and no later than seven.

These two separate vaccinations should be carried out at your regular vets, which you will have to re-visit every year for a booster of each vaccination. The vet will also check the health of the ferret whilst you are there.

It is a common misconception that ferrets cannot contract diseases if they are indoor pets. This is of course untrue, and all ferrets should be vaccinated.

Unlike most animals such and dogs and cats, ferrets do not need a series of different vaccinations when they are babies.

As some ferrets have bad reactions to certain vaccinations it is important to stay with your pet for up to at least three hours after vaccinations have taken place. Make sure you don't book the vaccinations on a day when you know you will be busy and unable to watch over your ferret.

Most ferrets will be lethargic and less energetic post-vaccine, this is normal and should wear off within hours.

If the ferret does appear to have a bad reaction to a vaccine you should consult your vet straight away. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding from the nose, fitting, seizures and collapsing. In this instance you would have to take quick action otherwise the animal could easily slip into a coma and die.

Another thing you must be aware of is heartworm as a single heartworm can kill a ferret. Heartworm prevention is not a vaccine but is given orally. Your vet can do a heartworm check on your ferret if you do not use a prevention, however this is rather ridiculous because as stated above, a single heartworm can kill!

Learn more about this author, princess doodah.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.