From:
katharine
Date: 2001-07-26 05:59:00 UTC
Subject: Heartworms
Please, please give your ferrets heartworm
medications. Our local vets (Tallahassee, FL) are
seeing lots more cases of heartworms this year.
Several years of drought, followed by good rains
this year have caused the mosquito population to
explode! Prevention is so, so simple. Of course,
the mosquito thing is a biggy here right now
because the West Nile virus (and encephilitis
(sp?)) has hit this area pretty hard, including
one elderly gentleman who has been hospitalized in
critical condition (waiting for definite
confirmation from CDC). We are under medical
alert in this area after a number of birds and
horses have tested positive for WNV. (It seems
that most domesticated animals seem to have a
natural immunity)
And, don't think that just because your ferrets
don't go outside they can't get bit by mosquitos.
That's just not true. I have been bitten myself
inside the house.
Katharine