Yes, Kathrine's right when she writes:
>I would highly recommend NOT using Advantix at all!! Bayer took
>Advantage, a safe product, added permethrin to it and ended up with a
>toxic product, AdvanTIX. Many vets will not even carry this product
>because of its toxicity. This includes ALL animals, not just ferrets.
>I learned this when I started having some tick problems with my
>doggies. I was quickly warned away from Advantix. I switched
>from AdvanTAGE to Frontline Plus.
>
>There are better, and safer, products out there. Use Advantage,
>Frontline Plus, Revolution, etc. ...

Also avoid any parasite control products sold in pet stores; even some
of the collars have caused bone marrow failure and death for ferrets.

from August, 2005
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG14966
>Can you give us the ingredients of advantix over there.
>The US version of Advantix is NOT safe for ferrets or cats, but
>the US version of Advantage (by Bayer) is safe for ferrets.
>Please lets us know what is in the European advantix.
>Jerry Murray, DVM

The European version turned out to have the same problem addition:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG15149

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL353
"SORT OF" ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH WHEN THERE ARE OPTIONS.
>Subject: [ferrethealth] Fleas, ticks, and heartworm products
>
>Hello everyone,
>Since it is spring (at least here in the South) and the beginning of
>bug season, I thought I would post about the flea, tick, and heartworm
>products that are safe for ferrets.

>FLEAS: There are several safe and effective flea products.
>1) Frontline, Frontline Plus, and Frontline spray are all safe
>and effective against fleas. One tube of the cat size per ferret once
>a month. With the spray version: 1 spray per pound of ferret (ie a 2
>pound ferret gets 2 sprays) once a month.
>Frontline, Frontline Plus, and Frontline spray also kills ticks.
>2) Advantage is safe and effective against fleas. One tube of the
>small size cat per ferret once a month.
>3) Revolution is safe and effective against fleas. One tube of the cat
>sized per ferret once a month. Revolution is also called Stronghold in
>Europe. Revolution will also kill ticks, ear mites, prevent heartworms,
>and deworms each month.

>TICKS there are several safe and effective tick products.
>1) Frontline, Frontline Plus, and Frontline spray are all safe
>for tick control. Again one tube of the cat size once a month.
>With the spray: 2 sprays per pound of ferret (ie a 2 pound ferret
>gets 4 sprays)
2) Revolution is safe and effective for ticks. Again one tube of the
cat size per ferret once a month.
>3) Advantix is sort of safe for tick control on ferrets. Advantix
>contains 2 ingredients: imidacloprid for fleas and permethrin for
>ticks. Permethrin is absorbed thru the skin and into the blood stream.
>Permethrin at high doses can cause problems to ferrets (and dogs and
>especially cats). Frontline would be a safer option because it does
>not get absorbed thru the skin. It stays on the oil layer on the skin.

>HEARTWORMS: there are several options for heartworm prevention too.
>Yes, ferrets can and do get heartworms, and heartworms are usually
>fatal in ferrets.
>1) Heartgard for cats, Heartgard Plus for small dogs, and liquid
>ivermectin are all safe for heartworm prevention. One chewable tablet
>once a month or liquid ivermectin orally once a month.
>2) Interceptor (Milbemycin oxime) for small dogs (2-10 lbs). One
>tablet once a month. These tablets are small enough to crush up and
>mix into ferretone or baby food. They are beef flavored and some
>ferrets will eat them. Interceptor should also deworm them each
>month and should control ear mites too.
>3) Revolution for cats (5-15 lbs). One tube per ferret once a month.
>Revolution will prevent heartworms, kill fleas, ticks, ear mites, and
>deworm each month.
>4) Advantage Multi is the newest heartworm product. Advantage Multi
>contains 2 ingredients: imidacloprid for fleas and moxidectin for
>heartworm prevention. Advantage Multi will also kill ear mites and
>deworm each month. One tube of the kitten size (2-5lbs) once a month
>is the recommended dose. Advantage Multi is called Advantage Advocate
>in Europe.
>
>Hope that helps clear up the confusion,
>Jerry Murray, DVM
>Dallas, Texas

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 5984]