Ferret canine distemper outbreak in Oregon and Washington
Leonard Bottleman
A pet wholesaler recently brought in 200 kits from a breeder in Canada.
These ferrets were given mink distemper vaccinations, which has resulted
in at least seven confirmed cases of canine distemper in ferrets from
this shipment. The ferrets may have been exposed to Aleutians disease.
The
breeder has stopped shipping ferrets, but these 200 ferrets have already
been placed in stores accross Oregon and Washington. Do NOT handle any
pet store ferrets in these states! Distemper can be carried on your
hands
or even clothes, so close contact of any kind with an infected ferret
can spread the distemper to your ferrets at home!
Distemper and Your Ferret
What you don't know about Canine Distemper can kill your ferret!
Method of transmission: Canine Distemper is an airborne virus that can
be transmitted from direct or indirect contact with an infected animal.
It can be transmitted from your clothing, shoes, or from your skin for
at
least 8 hours after exposure. In other words, your ferret can become
infected just by inhaling the virus from your skin or clothing! Since
the
incubation period can be as long as 10 days, always isolate any new dogs
or ferrets brought into your household for 14 days unless immunity to
canine distemper (and other contagious illnesses) can be ascertained.
Use
caution and common sense when petting or exposing yourself or your
ferret
to a dog or another ferret.
Symptoms: The signs of Canine Distemper are the loss of appetite,
foul-smelling yellow or green sticky eye discharge, swollen eyelids,
green or yellow nasal discharge, swelling of the lips and chin, thick
brown crusts that form on the eyes, nose, lips and chin, lethargy,
diarrhea, a subtle form of pneumonia, dehydration, swelling of the anus,
orange crusting of the skin in the abdominal and anal area, muscular
tremors, hyperexcitability, convulsions, and in the later stages
thickening and hardening of the paw pads. Many of these symptoms are
never seen because the ferret will die first. Canine Distemper is
virtually 100% fatal in ferrets within 12 to 35 days after exposure.
Ferrets do not appear to be susceptible to Feline (cat) Distemper.
Immunity and vaccination: Kits receive immunity from their mother
provided she was properly vaccinated. Special proteins (including
antibodies) are absorbed by the kit through the intestines from the
jill's colostrum (first milk) during the first 12 to 24 hours after
birth. Even though the kit may nurse for up to 8 weeks, it cannot absorb
the antibodies from the jill's regular milk. Older studies indicated
that
this maternal immunity lasted from 5 to 16 weeks. Newer studies suggest
that at 6 + weeks of age, only 1/32 of the original maternal immunity is
left. The actual length of protection is dependent upon the antibody
level in the blood of the jill when the kits were born. To establish and
maintain immunity, kits need a series of three shots at 6, 10, and 14
weeks followed by a yearly booster. Adults only need a yearly booster
unless you are unable to establish that the ferret has had previous
vaccinations. Two shots given 4 weeks apart are recommended for adult
ferrets that have not previously established and maintained immunity.
The only distemper vaccine tested and labeled for ferrets is
Fervac-D, manufactured by United Vaccines. Another vaccine that has been
used for many years on ferrets (but not tested or labeled for ferrets)
is
Fromm-D, which was recently replaced by Galaxy-D and is manufactured by
Solvay Animal Health. Never use a combination distemper shot such as the
DHLPP which is given to dogs. The wrong form of Canine Distemper vaccine
can potentially induce the disease in ferrets. If you vaccinate for
rabies (which is highly recommended) the manufacturer of Imrab-3
(Rhone-Merieux) suggests waiting one week between the two immunizations
to reduce the chance of reactions. Be sure to stay at your vet for at
least 30 minutes after any vaccination and watch for signs of
anaphylaxis. Be sure to keep records of your pet's vaccinations and keep
them up to date.
Sources of Information: California Domestic Ferret Association, "The
United Ferret" (Volume 7, issue 1), "A Practical Guide to Ferret Care"
by
Deborah Jeans, and "Personality Plus Good Health" by United Vaccines.
Special thanks to Kelley Clarke C.V.T. and Christine Mathis for
reviewing
this article and Kimber Brawley M.S., D.V.M. for his contributions and
review of this article.
Copyright 1997. The Oregon Ferret Association. This article may be
reprinted without modifications.
The Oregon Ferret Association
P.O. Box 90682
Portland, OR 97290
(503) 557-8369