Jornal de Agentes Antimicrobianos

Local and general safety of a monovalent vaccine against Distemper under normal conditions of use in privately owned young and adult ferrets

Abstract

Therese Butuad

Ferrets are sensitive and prone to adverse reactions, underlining the importance to conduct safety studies for species-targeted vaccines development. This field study aimed to assess local and general safety of a new distemper vaccine specifically intended for ferrets (Musteligen, Virbac France). A total of 153 ferrets underwent vaccination (2 subcutaneous injections; D0 and D28) an were divided into 3-age groups (young: 8 & 9 week-old; adult: over 3 month-old). Criteria assesse by veterinarians, after each vaccination and during 42 days, were rectal temperature, bodyweight frequency and severity of the signs. Ferrets of 8 weeks of age had a significant lower bodyweight than 9-week old and adult ferrets. Temperatures and body weight remained stable throughout the study for all animals. A few 9-week-old and adult ferrets presented systemic reaction signs consisting in slight apathy, decreased appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Such transient signs spontaneously resolved within 1 to 9 days. Moderate swelling was observed at the injection site (≤1.5 cm; in [3-7]% of all animals) and was very rarely associated with pain [1.6-2]%; all local signs resolving within a day. Enlarged lymph nodes following vaccination were only found in 8-week-old ferrets (21-31%), associated with more common local and systemic signs than 9-week old and adult ferrets. This new vaccine was well tolerated, with observed reactions similar to those usually reported with parenteral vaccination. It was safe to use in ferrets over 9 weeks of age and above the recommended minimal weight (300 gr. for females vs . 350 gr. for males).