From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-04-30 13:56:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Appearance of small "worm-like" shapes in rescue stool
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Margie" <Margar@D...> wrote:
> Ceasar is a 6 year old, relatively healthy ferret. Oh, he also has
ear
> mites. His stool has a mucusy look to it. When I looked closer at
> it, I see what appears to be allot of small white cirular shapes
(not
> full circles). After going through the archives, I am fairly sure
it
> is probably hook worm.
Margie - You won't see hookworms passed in the feces. What is passed
is the eggs, and they are microscopic and wouldn't be picked up with
the naked eye.
What you are likely seeing are small globules of fat, a sign of
malabsorption - the classic birdseed stool.
>
> My ferret vet is in the learning stage. I need to know the best
> treatment for it. If there is one that can also be used to prevent
> heartworm. Also, can ferrets get whip worm. A stray dog that was
in
> my yard was found to have whip worms. Can I use Interceptor with
the
> lowest dosage.
>
Ferrets do not share whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) with dogs.
I think that at this point, I would wait just a couple of days if the
diarrhea is not profuse,to make sure you are not dealing
with "shelter shock", and then start to rule out the various causes
of malabsorption (starting with coronavirus infection.)
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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