|  | | Do ferrets need vaccinations? If so, how often? | | Home > Ferret FAQ > Health Issues > Do ferrets need vaccinations? If so, how often? | | Absolutely! They need a canine distemper shot and a rabies shot. The canine distemper shot should be given at 8, 11 and 14 weeks. After that, a yearly booster shot is all they need. Ferrets also need a rabies shot at about 14 to 16 weeks (at least 2 – 3 weeks after the distemper shot), then once a year after that.
We highly recommend that you have these two vaccinations done at two separate appointments at least two weeks apart. Having the vaccinations done in the same visit heightens the risk for an adverse reaction. It also means you won’t know which vaccine caused the reaction. After getting the shot, you should stay at your veterinarian’s for 30 to 60 minutes, just in case your ferret does go into anaphylactic shock. Signs of a reaction include: vomiting, diarrhea, signs of dizziness, wheezing and other difficulties breathing, seizures, pale or bright pink gums, dark purplish-bluish blotches spreading beneath the skin, convulsions, and passing out. In short, any behavior that is alarming after the vaccination is probably a sign of some kind of reaction. If you have already left the veterinarian’s office, get back right away so your veterinarian can treat the reaction.
Read more about ferret vaccinations. |
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