From:
sprite@ksu.edu
Date: 2009-01-08 17:01:21 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Capstar reactions
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
As mentioned in my post about Nemo and Capstar, Capstar can cause
neurological problems - this not only occurred with Nemo but was
verbally verified by the vet I talked with that was involved in testing
of Capstar, after Nemo's reaction. He said Capstar was not tested on
ferrets, but neurological reactions were noted in kittens. I described
what I was seeing in Nemo and it was the same that he saw in a kitten.
He recommended NOT using Capstar on debilitated animals, which would
include animals that are severely weakened and anemic from flea
infestation.
I was involved in two cases that neurological problems occurred, both
case were in severely infested and weakend animals, one in a ferret
(Nemo) and one in a stray kitten that was infested with maggots. Both
animals received only one size appropriate dosage. Capstar was used on
the kitten because of it's ability to kill maggots but in this
particular case, after showing neurological problems the kitten
progressively worsened and died. Nemo eventually recovered from his
reaction to Capstar but has never had what I would consider 'normal'
energy for a ferret (not known if this is related to Capstar or other
factors).
If a vet hasn't experienced a reaction in an animal or hasn't heard of
one from a reliable source, they will assume the drug is safe. When
talking with our vets, it is important to let them know about
information regarding reactions we have heard of, so at the very least
they are informed of the possibilities. With Capstar, a vet can call
the company and talk to the vet that was involved in the testing for
verification of neurological reaction facts.
When treating animals for fleas, anything ingested goes through their
system, and when fleas bite the animal they too ingest the poison.
Also, each bite draws more blood, which we want to avoid in severely
flea anemic animals. My understanding is with topical treatments, such
as advantage, the fleas only need contact on the animal to kill the
fleas.
My experience with ferrets with fleas, if the ferret can be removed from
the infested environment, bathed in a gentle soap (soap kills fleas),
and all fleas picked off by hand during rinsing, this will eliminate
many of the fleas. A flea comb can be used daily, drop the fleas in a
cup of soapy water as they come off the ferret. The environment,
inside and outside, needs to be treated as well. Borax, or any cheap
powdered laundry soap can be sprinkled on carpets, furniture, and
yards. Let sit for about an hour then vacuum inside, water down your
outside yard (makes the yard smell nice too). Take vacuum bag out,
tape over hole, insert in ziplock baggie and take outside to the trash.
If you don't have outside animals to be cautious with, chemical flea
treatments can be applied to your yards. Treatments should be repeated
weekly for 4 treatments at least. This may sound like a lot of work
but is well worth it for the health of our companion animals.
If you have animals that go outside you will need to repeatedly treat
them. Fleas do not know boundaries and if your neighbor has outside
animals that have fleas, the fleas will visit your yard. If you don't
have outside animals, fleas may hitch a ride into your house on your
clothes.
I've used Advantage on ferrets for many years with safe positive
results, others have used other flea products safely as well. The
better informed we are about both positive and negative reactions helps
us to provide better care for the little ones.
tle
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