Message Number: SG9445 | New FHL Archives Search
From: sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-07-06 16:00:34 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Very loose stools
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <264413.1089129634682.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

The topic of worms has not come up in some time, so I have called up two of the old past vet posts on this topic.

http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG3737

including:

>There are a number of worms that
>ferrets can actually get, but the
>incidence is extremely low - due
>to the fact that most ferrets, at
> least in the States are kept indoors,
>and many in other countries are
>kept off the ground in wire cages,
>so the contact with feces is
> failry small.

>Worms are generally fairly species
>specific, however there is one
>notable exception - tapeworms.
>Tapeworms are spread between animals
>by fleas, and if the ferret swallows
>the flea (it is more than just a
>simple bite), then the eggs can
>hatch and your ferret will shed the
>rice-like tapeworm segments.
>The condition is really not serious -
>despite old wives tales to the
>contrary, tapeworms do little to no
>damage to the host, being very
>happy to subsist on whatever is passing
>through the gut at that moment.
>Tapeworms are easily treated.

> Heartworms are another common
>worm (at least as worms go) in ferrets,
> but that is a common thread on the
>FHL and I refer you to the archive.
>Garlic... has no effect on parasites at
>all, be they worms, fleas, or ticks...

http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG3071

including:

> Ferrets do not share whipworms
>(Trichuris vulpis) with dogs.