From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-10-10 12:46:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Lice?
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., wolfysluv@a... wrote:
> A curious question here. Can ferrets get or carry lice that
people get?
> My poor son came home from school with them. None of us or the
people up our
> street have them. But he was really bad with them. Now my friends
are weary
> of our ferrets. Can they get it? Can they carry it? My vet
thinks not but
> he is not sure
>
Dear Wolfy:
Lice are species-specific. While a ferret could mechanically
transmit a head louse in the same way that a hat can, they can't
support an infection, so they should not be considered a source,
unless the kids at school wear ferrets on their heads and swap them
around (I probably did dumber things when I was in school).
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM