From:
"Sarah"
Date: 2011-10-17 14:35:51 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Fleas/mites - safe treatment
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi,
I'm in the UK and for the last 5 years I've used a tea-tree wash on my ferrets for fleas. Only once had a problem, 5 years ago.
I take a glass bowl, big enough to cook a pudding in, fill with hot water and add about 3 or 4 drops of tea-tree oil. I then take a facecloth, soak it in the water mix, squeeze out (not wring) so that it's still wet but not dripping. I then wipe my ferrets from ears downwards to tail (not in ears). This probably needs to be done regularly as you have a flea problem.
I also find this mix helps with rats tails. Also putting a tiny bit of TT on ticks kills them and they drop off without leaving the head behind.
With the ear mites I use a cider vinegar mix in warm water and wipe each ear with a piece of cotton wool, squeezed as above (not a bud as they can wriggle and might get hurt!). Having had one with bad ear mites (before I clicked on what was wrong) I know it works.
Both methods were checked out with my very ferret-knowledgeable vet, and I researched them thoroughly on holistic ferret sites.
There are small pet shampoos (rabbit, guinea pig) which contain tea tree too, but as I only wash mine if they find something stinky to play in (like a nettle tea just applied to compost on the garden!), I've had it for years.
Good luck!
Sarah
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