- Rabies (Imrab 3) 16 weeks of age (or first vet visit if older) then once yearly
- Distemper (for kits) 6 to 8 weeks 11-12 weeks 14-16 weeks then once yearly
- Distemper (for older ferret or for a ferret of unknown history) On first vet visit. Repeat in four weeks
Ferrets have a tendency to develop more allergic reactions to vaccines as opposed to dogs and cats. You should stay at your veterinarian's office for a minimum of 30 minutes after vaccination and closely monitor your ferret for several hours.
Vaccine reactions can be deadly! If your ferret has a severe reaction, you need to consider whether you should vaccinate your ferret at all.
For minor reactions, your ferret can be pretreated with a pediatric antihistamine (such as of a milliliter of Benadryl) 30 minutes before vaccination.
Rhone Merieux, the manufacturer of Imrab3, and many veterinarians recommend separating the rabies and distemper vaccinations by at least two weeks.
Why Vaccinate?
- Your ferret may be bitten by an infected animal
- People may mishandle your ferret, and it may bite
- Young children often provoke ferrets to bite
- VaccinatiQn certificates are required when you travel
- Ferrets that are boarded out- side are at risk of other animals
A Look at Numbers
Cases of rabies in dogs, cats and ferrets in the United States
| Year |
Dogs |
Cats |
Ferrets |
| 1989 |
160 |
212 |
0 |
| 1990 |
148 |
176 |
0 |
| 1991 |
155 |
189 |
0 |
| 1992 |
182 |
290 |
2 |
| 1993 |
130 |
291 |
1 |
| 1994 |
153 |
267 |
1 |
| 1995 |
146 |
288 |
2 |
| Total |
1074 |
1713 |
6 |
Figures from rabies surveillance reports.