From:
"Roger Vaughn"
Date: 2002-12-11 00:30:35 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Losing fur around head
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <3784.192.168.132.34.1039566635.squirrel@webmail.seaconinc.com>
Thanks, Angela. You know, I should have done my homework *before* you
(unintentionally) goaded me to...
Demodex infection is also described in Fox. According to both authors
it's non-pruritic and easy to spot on skin scraping.
On reading Fox's text, though, Timon's case sounds more like sarcoptic
scabies. He discusses both a skin form and a claw form. The skin
form is pruritic and difficult to detect via skin scraping. The
treatment of choice for scabies appears to be ivermectin, which she is
already getting for the ear mites. (I know I have seen Revolution
discussed here for this purpose, too.)
For those who haven't seen it, the book Angela mentions is a good
addition to your ferret library. It's by an Australian vet about
Australian ferrets, but what I have read of it is universally
applicable. I got my copy from Barnes & Noble, so it's easily
accessible.
References:
Fox, James G. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, 2nd Ed.
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 1998.
Lewington, John H. Ferret Husbandry, Medicine & Surgery. Butterworth
Heinemann, 2000.