Rucus Replies : parasites
Fleas
Heartworm
Sarcoptic Mange
Ear Mites/Ear Infection
Fleas
Dear Rucus,
My ferrets have fleas and, even though I bath them and put flea powder on them, they have them again within a few days. Is it harmful?
Arnold.
Dear Arnold,
Fleas can certainly be troublesome for ferrets. If ferrets are bathed too often it can really dry out their skin. Flea powder just doesn't seem to work very well and some may not be safe for ferrets. My friend Jack had fleas when he came to live here and, apart from being very itchy, his nose was quite pale from lack of blood because the fleas had been drinking it! My Mum put "Frontline" on him and all the fleas died and he didn't get fleas again for months. Mum just put a stripe of Frontline up his back and one up each side and a little extra at the base of his tail. BOY! Those fleas just fell off straight away.
After a few days, Jack began to get the colour back in his nose as well as his gums and tongue and was not so tired all the time. Mum said he had been suffering from anaemia, but I thought his memory was just fine.
Dooks from Rucus.
Note: We supply ferret-sized doses of Revolution to members at reduced price. See the Revolution page under "Services".
Heartworm
Dear Rucus,
I've heard that ferrets can get heartworm. Do they need a test before they take a heartworm preventative like dogs need to, and what is the best way to stop them getting infected?
Regards from Emily.
Dear Emily,
Yes ferrets can get heartworm just the same as cats, dogs and even seals. It is transmitted by a mosquito bite. Because of our recent rain and as the weather warms up, I bet we are going to have a lot of mosquitoes around quite soon, so now is the best time to protect your ferrets.
Ferrets don't need to be tested for heartworm before preventative treatment is started. The easiest, most effective way to protect them is by monthly applications of Revolution. Not only will this stop heartworm, but also fleas, mites and intestinal worms. Just apply a little (0.25mL for boys or 0.2mL for girls) to the back of the neck each month and your ferrets will be safe from those nasty parasites.
Note: We supply ferret-sized doses of Revolution to members at reduced price. See the Revolution page under "Services".
If a ferret already has heartworm, it will eventually show symptoms of heart problems which can be found by a vet and diagnosis confirmed by ultrasound. Treatment is not very successful in ferrets, but may include long-term doses of Ivermectin to slowly kill the worms and Prednisilone to prevent blood clots. Prevention is certainly the best way to go.
Love & Worm-Free Dooks, from Rucus.
Sarcoptic Mange
Dear Rucus,
I sometimes hear my friends' Mums talking about how horrible Sacoptic Mange is and how they hope that we never get it. Can you please tell me what it is and how would I know if I have it?
Best wishes from Rhubarb,
Dear Rhubarb,
Sarcoptic mange is caused by little mites which are so tiny that you can't see them except through a microscope. They burrow under the skin and cause incredible itching. In ferrets, they mainly attack the feet, causing the pads to swell until they look like clown's feet, and the toenails to grow all thick and twisted. For this reason, it is sometimes called "footrot"
We are so lucky in Western Australia because sarcoptic mange is not a big problem. In fact the only time we see this disease is in ferrets that come from the Eastern States
with the infection already in them. They spread it to the ferrets that they come in contact with, the owners get all ferrets treated with an injection of Ivermectin from
the vet and that is the end of the problem.
Sadly, for the ferrets in the Eastern States, once ferrets in a household get sarcoptic mange, it keeps on coming back. I don't know why this happens. Perhaps it has something to do with the weather or lattitude or something.
So, Rhubarb, You don't have to worry about sarcoptic mange unless your humans let you come in contact with a ferret from interstate.
Love & Soothing Dooks
From Rucus
Ear Mites/Ear Infection
Dear Rucus,
My Ferret, Bandit, wakes up from a deep sleep and shoots out of bed to scartch furiously at his ear. He sometimes rubs his ear along the ground too. Otherwise he is very healthy and has a lovely coat. What do you think I should do?
Love from Pauline.
Dear Pauline,
My ears really burn when somebody is talking about me, but I don't think Bandit has this problem.
Bandit could have ear mites or the start of an ear infection or both. We ferrets are prone to ear mites and you need to take Bandit to the vet, who will probably give you Ivermectin drops. One drop in each ear is all that's needed and all other pets in the household will need to be treated quickly as the mites are very contagious.
If the vet finds that Bandit has an ear infection, an antibiotic ear ointment or medicine will probably be prescribed, depending on whether the infection is in the inner or outer ear. Inner ear infections need to be treated quickly as they can lead to loss of balance, high fevers and even death.
Good luck and Dooks from Rucus.