Ferret parasite prevention
Ferrets can have parasites like any other animal. Parasites include fleas, mites, ticks, intestinal worms, protozoa, coccidia, heartworm, and Myiasis (fly larvae). The most commonly seen ferret parasites in Quebec are ear mites and fleas. The other parasites are much less common here.
How can parasites infest my ferret?
How do I know if my ferret has parasites?
By taking an appointment with a veterinarian knowledgeable about ferrets. A physical exam, ear swabs and fecal tests will enable the vet to confirm the presence of parasites and recommend treatments as appropriate for your little friend, if necessary.
Do I need to give my ferret parasite prevention?
Prevention may be appropriate depending on your ferret’s life style :
Parasite prevention is easy, inexpensive and safe. Please note that certain medications require a veterinary prescription AND a physical exam.
A short note about heartworm disease in ferrets
Heartworm disease (Dirofilariosis) in ferrets has not been seen by any of the most experienced ferret veterinarians in Quebec for a very long time, if ever.
Heartworm (Dirofilaria) is transmitted by mosquitoes to dogs, cats and ferrets. The parasite lives in wild carnivores such as foxes, coyotes, and also in roaming dogs.
There are only very few areas in Quebec where heartworm occurs regularly in pet dogs and overall this is a rare disease in our part of the world. It is more common in the south where warmer weather favors the development of the heartworm larvae inside the mosquitos.
However, even in Quebec, it is important to prevent the disease in pets, especially those who go to the woods/camping/summer house/U.S./southern regions or to mosquito-infested rural areas. Sometimes a dog that comes back to town or suburbia from a trip to the woods, wetlands or the U.S., is infested with heartworm: the local mosquitoes can then transmit the dog’s heartworm to neighborhood dogs, cats and ferrets venturing outside!
Ferrets infested with heartworm become seriously ill and many will not survive. Humans can become infested with heartworm, too.
In Quebec, prevention against heartworm should be given during the summer months, from June 1st through November 1st, inclusively, especially if the autumn is very warm.
Many products used for heartworm prevention require one monthly application. Not all veterinarians use the same products. It is best to discuss your requirements with your ferret veterinarian who will make a recommendation based on his or her experience.
Andreas Brieger, DVM, GPCert(ExAP)
Please note that this text is protected by copyright and must not be copied or distributed or published elsewhere, whole or in parts, without written permission by Doctor Brieger.
How can parasites infest my ferret?
- fleas: direct contact with infested animals or from the environment shared with infested ferrets, dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, humans, and even squirrels or mink
- ear mites: direct contact with infested ferrets, cats or dogs
- mange mites: direct contact with infested animals such as ferrets, dogs, cats, rabbits, and also from humans
- follicle mites: direct contact with ferrets and from the ferret’s mother
- ticks: outdoors, ticks get onto ferrets from the vegetation where they are waiting for a victim
- intestinal worms, coccidia, giardia: contact with feces from infested ferrets, dogs and cats
- heartworm: from mosquitoes in an area where heartworm occurs
- “fly strike”: flesh flies and certain other flies lay eggs on ferrets (outdoors), the larvae live in the skin
How do I know if my ferret has parasites?
By taking an appointment with a veterinarian knowledgeable about ferrets. A physical exam, ear swabs and fecal tests will enable the vet to confirm the presence of parasites and recommend treatments as appropriate for your little friend, if necessary.
Do I need to give my ferret parasite prevention?
Prevention may be appropriate depending on your ferret’s life style :
- strictly indoors and has NO contact with other animals: no prevention necessary
- strictly indoors, lives with a parasite-free indoor cat or rabbit/rodent: no prevention necessary
- indoor ferret living with rabbits, cats or dogs that go outdoors, even rarely: ferret should receive effective prevention at least against fleas. Cats and dogs that go outside should receive effective prevention against fleas, worms and heartworm.
- ferret goes outside (including walks in the street/park, summer house in the woods, camping, trips to more southern areas and to the U.S., ferret meetings and shows, boarding with other ferrets): full protection is recommended against fleas, mites, intestinal worms and heartworm.
Parasite prevention is easy, inexpensive and safe. Please note that certain medications require a veterinary prescription AND a physical exam.
A short note about heartworm disease in ferrets
Heartworm disease (Dirofilariosis) in ferrets has not been seen by any of the most experienced ferret veterinarians in Quebec for a very long time, if ever.
Heartworm (Dirofilaria) is transmitted by mosquitoes to dogs, cats and ferrets. The parasite lives in wild carnivores such as foxes, coyotes, and also in roaming dogs.
There are only very few areas in Quebec where heartworm occurs regularly in pet dogs and overall this is a rare disease in our part of the world. It is more common in the south where warmer weather favors the development of the heartworm larvae inside the mosquitos.
However, even in Quebec, it is important to prevent the disease in pets, especially those who go to the woods/camping/summer house/U.S./southern regions or to mosquito-infested rural areas. Sometimes a dog that comes back to town or suburbia from a trip to the woods, wetlands or the U.S., is infested with heartworm: the local mosquitoes can then transmit the dog’s heartworm to neighborhood dogs, cats and ferrets venturing outside!
Ferrets infested with heartworm become seriously ill and many will not survive. Humans can become infested with heartworm, too.
In Quebec, prevention against heartworm should be given during the summer months, from June 1st through November 1st, inclusively, especially if the autumn is very warm.
Many products used for heartworm prevention require one monthly application. Not all veterinarians use the same products. It is best to discuss your requirements with your ferret veterinarian who will make a recommendation based on his or her experience.
Andreas Brieger, DVM, GPCert(ExAP)
Please note that this text is protected by copyright and must not be copied or distributed or published elsewhere, whole or in parts, without written permission by Doctor Brieger.
Dirofilaria (heartworm).
Photograph: Dr. A. Villeneuve, with permission.