Like the dog or cat, your ferret should be vaccinated
Regularly to prevent the emergence of certain pathologies.
Vaccination of the ferret essentially protects it against two
Types of illnesses: Disease of Square and Rabies.
The Disease of Square:
Disease is a contagious disease caused by a virus.
This virus is transmitted:
- either directly by contact of a ferret with a contaminated individual,
- or by contact of the ferret with the saliva or the secretions of a diseased animal.
Thus, even a ferret that never has access to the outside must be vaccinated because its owner can bring the virus to the home through his shoes, his clothes or the dog of the house he regularly walks in 'outside.
Squamous disease mainly causes fever, respiratory and skin disorders (more rarely, digestive and nervous disorders can be observed).
It is almost always a fatal disease.
The first vaccination is carried out around the age of 6 to 8 weeks and is followed by injections every 4 weeks until the age of 14 weeks.
The reminders are then made once a year.
The Rage
A ferret may contract rabies if it is bitten or scratched by a contaminated animal.
This disease leads to the appearance of behavioral changes and various neurological disorders (bout of fury, progressive paralysis ...). The death of the animal occurs within a few days.
Rabies vaccination is not compulsory on French territory but it may be requested during exhibitions, gatherings of animals or if your pet is placed in boarding school ...
It is compulsory for all journeys abroad, including the crossing of European borders.
Rabies vaccination must meet specific regulatory requirements:
- The ferret must be identified by electronic chip,
- Vaccination is considered valid only if it is registered in a European passport (this passport will be issued by your veterinarian)
- The first vaccination is considered valid after a period of 3 weeks.
Primary immunization is carried out at the age of 3 months and the vaccine is renewed every year.
As with any vaccination, a post-vaccination reaction may occur as a result of injections of these two diseases. It can be a small inflammation, a local pain or a more general reaction with fatigue and a slight fever.
Do not hesitate to inform your veterinarian and to consult him if you notice one of these reactions following the vaccination of your ferret.
