http://www.smartgroups.com/message/viewdiscussion.cfm?
gid=1423922&messageid=14571
 
Yes, ferrets can and do get heartworms!  If you have heartworms in dogs
in your part of Ohio then ferrets (and cats) are also at risk.
 
There are several heartworm preventatives that work well in ferrets.
1) As Russell mentioned diluted Ivomec orally,
2) Revolution for cats topically,
3) Interceptor brown orally, and
4) Heartgard for cats can all be used for ferrets.
 
These heartworm preventatives are used once a month.  If Proheart 6
becomes available again it too can be used.
 
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
Dallas, Texas
 
[Sukie Note: Prevention -- especially in areas prone to is even more
important while Proheart, the best (by far) treatment for existing
heartworms is not available due to a product review of it in dogs in
response to consumer complaints.  The first round of that found that a
slight majority of the product reviewers found it safe and problems very
rare whereas slightly fewer said that they would like more info before
their final decisions.  None found it unsafe or having side effects to an
unacceptable extent in the first round.  Meanwhile, though, it means that
ferrets continue to be in a much more hazardous position until it is
again available.  See: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/heartworm.htm ]
 
-- Sukie (not a vet)
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[Posted in FML issue 4930]