From:
yvon358@cs.com
Date: 2001-09-08 09:37:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] ear mites
I've been reading w/interest the ear mite/rattail posts and the
suspected connection. I brought a new ferret home a few months ago
who I thought had ear mites. (head shaking, scratching..) Vet took
a sample, however, no ear mites were detected.
A few weeks later my albino started showing signs of rattail. Now,
2 others are losing hair on their tails. Hmmm... could there really
be a connection? This is an interesting hypothesis.
Plus, while working on the albino's tail (I had her in my lap) I
could have sworn a tiny little bug (pinpoint in size) ran across my
leg. Perhaps it was my imagination because the blackheads (?) I
remove are always hard. Maybe it was a bug... I do live in the
woods. I'm a stickler for keeping the house and ferret bedding
clean but I rarely give them baths. I've just started washing their
tails daily in an effort to aid their rattail.
My questions are regarding the Ivermectin. Since the new ferret
came back "clean" (no earmites) is it OK to still give the
Ivermectin in the ears? Could they still have earmites even though
none were detected originally? (I have noticed a bit more ear
scratching) What is the correct dosage... does the Ivermectin come
w/instructions for usage? The earmite medicine I bought for kittens
contains mostly Pyrethrins. I know this will kill just about any
bug and, of course, is "harmful or fatal if swallowed". I've never
used it for that reason. Does the Ivermectin come w/that
disclaimer? If so, is putting a drop on their tails OK?
Thanks for any info.
-Y-