Recently got a distemper virus vaccination schedule for ferrets which said
that the vacine will not hold until the animal is 14 weeks old. I presumed
this was because the young animal was probably still in the self-recognition
phase and would just identify viral antigens detected prior to this time as
self. One schedule said to vacinate at 6,8,10,12, and 14 weeks. This seems
a little excessive to me and might reduce the effectiveness of the treatment
in the long run since some viral antigens recognized early on would be thought
of as self by the ferrets immune system.
Wouldn't just two vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart after 14 weeks be more effective
Would earlier vacccinations help the animal survive until 14 weeks or be
entirely useless?
Thanks for help in advance
sjohn at u.washington.edu