From:
"possum1213"
Date: 2009-01-07 12:59:55 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: FLEAS! Scratching....
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
First, make sure you actually are seeing fleas and that the
scratching isn't for some other reason.
I have often gotten in ferrets (and wildlife) crawling with fleas.
Here is what I do and do far, it has worked. First, I bathe the
ferret OUTSIDE the house with my normal ferret shampoo. I had a sink
installed in my garage with h/c water. If you can't do it outside,
go straight to the tub before you even let the ferret get down.
Bathe as usual, but keep running water over the ferret and pick off
fleas as you see them. This may take a while. Keep going until you
can't see any more fleas, dead or alive. Make sure you check all the
body cavities also, including ears, nose, mouth, anal area. The
ferret will fuss and struggle, but keep going. Dry well and then put
a full kitten dose (the full cat dose also prevents heartworms) of
Revolution on the ferret. Repeat the Revolution in three weeks.
I do treat my dogs for fleas/ticks on a monthly basis but have never
had to treat the ferrets regularly, and I live in Florida!
Of course, as someone else said, you also need to treat the
environment, which is why I de-flea outside. I have many animals in
my home, both pets and wildlife, and have NEVER (knock on wood) had a
flea infestation just by following this simple protocol.
There is also a medication called Capstar. It is oral and the fleas
die and drop off within about 30 minutes. My vet said it's OK to use
on ferrets but I haven't ever had to try it. Maybe one of the vets
here can commment on this. It would certainly be useful for major
infestations. I have seen it in action on a dog and it's amazing!
Do make sure you take care of this. Ferrets can develop flea anemia
very easily.
Katharine
Florida
[Mod:
Well, I looked in case it might help. Here is the
most recent ferret vet post on that product (2001)
and what was known but was was not known:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG4873
and here is a post last year from an FHL
moderator who also has a shelter of neurological
problems following use for a ferret:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL2783 .
There are other posts on the product.]
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