From:
katharine@nettally.com
Date: 2001-10-16 07:43:00 UTC
Subject: Mange/Parasites
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., farrell_cynthia@h... wrote:
> And finally, along the hair loss lines, I have been doing volunteer
work at a wildlife center, feeding baby mammals, including
squirrels. Mange was going through the squirrels... is it possible.
I could have passed it to Chumley? (His hair loss is the front,
rather than rear, of his body.) Could he get it but not the others?
Is there anything else I might be able to pass, from squirrels or
rabbits? (I always change clothes and disinfect my arms before
touching the ferrets.) >
I believe mange is a parasite so Chumley could probably be tested
with a simple skin scraping if there is a concern. I don't know
whether mange can be passed from animal to person to animal, i.e.
cross species. Your vet (or people doctor) should be able to advise
you on that. If it can pass from squirrel to squirrel (I hope those
with mange have been quarantined from the others) then it could
certainly pass through any other mammal group the same way
When I was going to the wildilfe rehab facilities to volunteer, I
handled all sorts of animals. Afterward, my practice was always to
strip down in my garage and go immediately to the shower, prior to
handling the ferrets. If you don't have the facilities to do that,
consider changing clothes at the facility and then immediately
showering when you get home. Now, I primarily just have wildife in
my home. My only precautions are for them not to have any direct
contact (for the safety of all animals) and washing my hands between
handling different species.
As an aside, we now have two new ferrets living with us (#6 & 7). I
took them Sunday from a military couple being posted to Germany who
were unable to get the health certificates completed in time to take
them. Doc is about one year old (and has re-taught me the meaninng
of ferret-proofing and vigilance in less than 48 hours; picture a
crazy lady in her PJs crawling through the bushes before 6 a.m.
chasing a ferret who is still leary of her) and Kiva is about 6
months old.
Katharine