From:
"keltoigfx"
Date: 2009-12-01 17:50:06 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Heartworms?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Your links contradict each other. One suggests Ivermectin can be fatal, the other suggests using it as a preventative.
I've been using Ivermectin on my ferrets as a monthly heartworm preventative for years without any signs of toxicity or other distress. I and other breeders I know give our ferrets a lot of outside access so we also use Ivermectin in the ears to prevent ear mite infestation. The link presented does nothing to change my mind that Ivermectin is perfectly safe for ferrets and using it for prevention of heartworm is far safer than treating a heartworm infestation once the inevitable happens. I'm fully aware that some collie breeds have an ivermectin sensitivity, I have never seen similar in ferrets and I have a few of them bouncing around the place.
To the OP: A normal dog heartworm blood test should show your vet if your ferret has heartworms. If your ferret does have heartworms, I'd suggest there's something more going on there as well. Best of luck to your little one.
Julie
Ground Effects Ferretry
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