IMMUNIZATIONS for DOMEsTIC FERRETS:
General REcommendations & US-Approved Vaccines
[updated June 2025]
Vaccination of domestic ferrets against the CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS and RABIES Virus is strongly recommended to prevent these deadly infections. Once infected no adequate treatments exist for CDV or RV.
The information provided below applies only to domestic ferrets. Consult a knowledgeable veterinary expert for other animals.
The information provided below applies only to domestic ferrets. Consult a knowledgeable veterinary expert for other animals.
canine distemper virus (CDV) Late-stage CDV in domestic ferret:
facial and foot dermatitis
Why vaccinate your ferret?
Ferrets are highly susceptible to the Canine (“dog”) Distemper Virus (CDV). CDV is extremely contagious and can be rapidly spread in the air, on objects--including clothing, etc., and by direct contact with infected animals-both domestic or wild. Once infected with CDV, the outcome of a ferret is nearly 100% fatal. CDV can be prevented by routine immunization using vaccines that have been approved for use in ferrets. Signs of CDV infection in ferrets: Within 2 days following exposure, CD virus can be found in the blood stream of the ferret. Virus continues in the blood stream throughout the course of the infection. Thus, the incubation period – the period following exposure but prior to signs of the disease-- may range from 1 to 6 weeks. Previously CDV-vaccinated animals exposed to CDV, but not demonstrating signs of illness, may shed the virus for up to 90 days.
CDV OUTBREAKS: In the 1990s several CDV outbreaks in domestic ferrets occurred in the United States. These involved up to 10 states and resulted in many ferret deaths. Outbreaks were due to:
Canine Distemper Vaccines for domestic ferrets As of June 2025, two USDA-licensed CDV vaccines are approved for use in domestic ferrets. Both products are available in the United States, one product is also available in Canada. Both are recommended for administration by a licensed veterinarian. NeoVac FD [modified live virus] [recombinant canarypox vector expressing the HA and F glycoproteins of canine distemper virus]
Purevax DV-Ferret [modified live virus] [live canarypox vector]
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Recommend vaccines for domestic ferrets*:
Vaccines should be administered to healthy, nonpregnant ferrets. For Ferrets that are sick or immunocompromised, check with a ferret-knowledgeable veterinarian. Vaccine reactions can occur:
CDV Vaccine AlertAlways use vaccines approved for use in Ferrets. THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF VACCINES SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR DOMESTIC FERRETS*:
"OFF LABEL" USE OF VACCINES
In the United States, the US Department of Agriculture Center for Veterinary Biologics reviews and approves animal vaccines. The process includes the review of safety and efficacy data for specific animals, which are then listed on the vaccine product label. When a vaccine is used on an animal that is not on the label, this is "off-label use: no review of safety or efficacy by the USDA has been taken. Unapproved vaccines SHOULD ONLY be used with consultation of a ferret-knowledgeable veterinarian and only in circumstances when the risks of infection outweigh potential known and unknown risks to the vaccine that warrant such use. 
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NOTE: Due to the highly contagious and deadly nature of CDV, ferret kits as young as 6 weeks can be vaccinated when their history of exposure to CDV is possible or unknown. They will require repeat CDV vaccination, since less than 1/3 will be reach effective immunity from a single CDV vaccination at this age. [See recommendations above for specific CDV vaccines.] This is due to maternal antibodies that cross the placenta or are ingested through nursing which can block the kit's immune reaction to the vaccine.
Rabies Virus
Rabies ("madness") is a viral infection that causes acute inflammation of the brain ("encephalitis"). The Rabies virus (RV) can travel through peripheral nerves to the central nervous system, infecting brain cells, creating "negri" (black) bodies that are detected on pathological (post-mortem) examination of the brain.
Once an animal is showing signs of RV, the outcome is usually fatal.
All warm-blooed animals are susceptible to the Rabies Virus. RV is transmitted by direct contact of the virus in the blood stream of another animal or human. This can occur through wounds caused by bites and skin abrasions, but also by eating the flesh of an infected animal, during intercouse, or tissue transplantation, such as corneal transplants in humans. One of the rarest infectious diseases reported in humans, Rabies is equally rare in domestic ferrets.
Rabies can be prevented in domestic ferrets through proper immunization with a vaccine approved for use in ferrets.
Although it is possible for a ferret to contract rabies, as it is for any warm blooded mammal, the chance is extremely remote. Research studies have determined that ferrets are not susceptible to rabies virus through ingestion, AND there has never been a transmission of Rabies from a ferret to a human or to another animal. To date, less than <100 cases of documented Rabies in Ferrets have been recorded in the United States. This is in contrast to the hundreds of cats, dogs, and agricultural animals each year in the US.
Once an animal is showing signs of RV, the outcome is usually fatal.
All warm-blooed animals are susceptible to the Rabies Virus. RV is transmitted by direct contact of the virus in the blood stream of another animal or human. This can occur through wounds caused by bites and skin abrasions, but also by eating the flesh of an infected animal, during intercouse, or tissue transplantation, such as corneal transplants in humans. One of the rarest infectious diseases reported in humans, Rabies is equally rare in domestic ferrets.
Rabies can be prevented in domestic ferrets through proper immunization with a vaccine approved for use in ferrets.
Although it is possible for a ferret to contract rabies, as it is for any warm blooded mammal, the chance is extremely remote. Research studies have determined that ferrets are not susceptible to rabies virus through ingestion, AND there has never been a transmission of Rabies from a ferret to a human or to another animal. To date, less than <100 cases of documented Rabies in Ferrets have been recorded in the United States. This is in contrast to the hundreds of cats, dogs, and agricultural animals each year in the US.
Rabies Vaccines for domestic ferrets
As of June 2025, three USDA-licensed CDV vaccines are approved for use in domestic ferrets in the United States. These products are recommended for administration by a licensed veterinarian.
Nobivac-1 or -3 CA Rabies [killed virus]
Defensor 1 or 3 (also sold as "Vanguard") [killed virus]
IMRAB-3 & IMRAB-3TF (thimerosal-free) [killed virus]
As of June 2025, three USDA-licensed CDV vaccines are approved for use in domestic ferrets in the United States. These products are recommended for administration by a licensed veterinarian.
Nobivac-1 or -3 CA Rabies [killed virus]
- Manufacturer: Intervet/Merck Animal Health (Rahway, NJ USA)
- Contact: Tel: 800-521-5767; Technical Services (Companion Animal): 800-224-5318); see also: https://merckusa.cvpservice.com/product/basic/view/1047166
- Dose/Route/Schedule: 1 mL dose to healthy ferrets 12 weeks of age and older; subcutaneous injection; repeat on veterinary advice.
- Store: 2-8°C (35-46°F). Packaged in liquid form. Do not freeze. Use or discard.
- Precautions: Do not vaccinate if animal is pregnant, lactating, or is sick, debilitated, or immunocompromised (e.g., infected, has cancer, etc.) Potential adverse events: May cause allergic reactions, including severe (anaphylaxis). Treatment directed by a veterinarian.
- For more information regarding efficacy and safety data, go to productdata.aphis.usda.gov and
Defensor 1 or 3 (also sold as "Vanguard") [killed virus]
- Manufacturer: Zoetis (Parsippany, NJ USA): Customer Service Tel: 1-888-Zoetis1 (1-888-963-8471); www.zoetis.com; to order: www.defensorvaccines.com;
- Canada: Zoetis (Kirkland, Quebec CAN)
- Dose/Route/Schedule: 1 mL subcutaneously to healthy ferrets; Revaccinate annually, or check with your veterinarian
- Store at 2-8°C (35-46°F).
- Precautions: Contains gentamicin as a preservative and thimerosal.
IMRAB-3 & IMRAB-3TF (thimerosal-free) [killed virus]
- Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc, Athens, GA 30601
- Contact: Tel 1-888-637-4251; https://bi-animalhealth.com/pets/canine/products/vaccines/imrab/IMRAB-3
- Dose/Route/Schedule (ferrets): 1 mL subcutaneously into healthy ferrets. Revaccinate annually
- Store at 2-8°C (35-46°F). Do not freeze.
- Precautions: Contains gentamicin as a preservative. IMRAB-3 also thimerosal. This product has not been tested in pregnant animals. A transient local reaction may occur at the injection site following subcutaneous administration. In rare instances, administration of vaccines may cause lethargy, fever, and inflammatory or hypersensitivity types of reactions. Treatment may include antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, and/or epinephrine as directed by a veterinarian.
