From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2002-08-21 01:17:41 UTC
Subject: info to help BOTH heartworm posters
To: Ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <p05111708b988995ad836@[10.0.1.28]>
There are a number of helpful back posts in compilations within the
Files section in
http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/ferrethealth/common_parasites.txt
Here is one in the compilation which is from the FHL archives:
>http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msgno=4910
>
>I will try to answer your questions about heartworms
>in ferrets. Yes, ferrets can get heartworms just like
>dogs and cats (and even seals) can. They all get heartworms
>from mosquito bites. As for prevention, there are several
>products that can be given to prevent heartworms.
>Heartgard for cats 0-5 lbs. (ivermectin), Interceptor for dogs
>0-10 lbs. (milbemycin oxime), Revolution for cats 5-15 lbs, and
>diluted ivomec can all be used on a monthly basis. All 4 meds
>should work just fine.
>The test that is recommended to detect heartworms is the Idexx
>ELISA snap test. Ultrasound can also be used to actually see
>the worms in the heart.
>As for treatment options, ferrets can be treated with Immiticide
>(using the 3 dose schedule) with pediapred. Pediapred helps
>prevent blood clots and to reduce the damage to the lungs.
>The other option is to start them on diluted ivomec (50 mcg/kg
>per month) with pediapred. The ivomec will cause a slow kill
>of the heartworms over many months, and the pediapred helps with
>blood clots and lung damage. Heart failure can be treated with
>lasix and diltiazem. Treatment is not as successful in ferrets,
>so prevention is the best way to go.
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM
>PS Yes, you can just start them on prevention without a test,
>or you can use the Idexx ELISA snap test first.