Message Number: YG12367 | New FHL Archives Search
From: warmellie
Date: 2002-04-09 10:22:00 UTC
Subject: Heartworm preventatives

I have scanned the archives for information on Heartworm
preventatives. I want to get my ferret on them since I live in the
southern US. I have found posts regarding the dosage, but no info on
this particular question I have.

I know in dogs testing must be done prior to giving any heartworm
medication because dogs shouldn't receive preventative if they are
heartworm positive. Is this true for ferrets? and if it
is, what kind of test is used to determine this in a ferret?

I thought I had read that cats and ferrets don't have to be tested
before receiving preventative, but I want to double check this. My
ferret was found on the roadside, so I'm unsure of his history. He
lives indoors now, but I can't be sure of his exposure before he came
to me.

Thanks,

Melissa Warren and Buddy (or Binks)