http://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/slide.html

The most recent vet messages on this specific topic in the FHL Archives
and other resources:

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL10409

>Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 16:00:28 EST
>Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Heartworms? treatment vs prevention
> 
>Hi Tony
>
>For prevention of heartworms: ivermectin (Heartgard), selamectin
>(Revolution, also called Stronghold), moxidectin (ProHeart 6;
>Advantage multi, also called Advocate) are all just about 100%
>effective, and all 3 are safe to use.
>
>The other preventative is milbemycin (Interceptor). It is also just
>about 100% effective as a preventative and safe to use.
>
>When it comes to treatment options, they do not all work as well.
>Ivermectin and moxidectin (ProHeart 6) will slowly kill the adult
>heartworms, but this may take 6 to 18 months. Selamectin is not as
>good at killing the adult heartworms, so it is not recommended for
>treatment.
>
>Immiticide (the product that we use in dogs to treat adult heartworms)
>works great in dogs, but it is NOT safe enough for use in ferrets or
>cats. Thus ProHeart or ivermectin is recommended for heartworm
>treatment in ferrets.
>
>Pred is used during treatment to limit blood clots and to reduce
>inflammation in the lungs.
>
>Needless to say it is better to prevent heartworms than to treat
>heartworms!
>
>Hope that clears things up,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL10402

>Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 19:36:01 EST
>Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Heartworms? and Ivermectin
> 
>Hello Amy
>Yes, ferrets can get heartworms, and heartworms can be hard to see
>on an ultrasound of the heart. The dog heartworm test (Idexx Snap)
>or Idexx labs (well test) are the recommended tests for heartworms.
>Ivermectin is quite safe in ferrets, dogs and cats at the right dose.
>However some dog breeds (collies, etc) can have a (genetic) problem
>with ivermectin. Turtles and tortoises are also prone to having
>problems with ivermectin. However I have never seen a ferret have
>a problem with ivermectin. First find out if there is actually
>heartworms, then you can use pred and ivermectin. The tumor by the
>kidney could be an adrenal tumor, possible lymphoma, or other cancer.
>Time to find out what that is too.
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL5195

>Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:16:00 EDT
>Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:How to deal with heartworm exposure
>
>The Idexx SNAP heartworm test (ie "the dog test") can be used in
>ferrets. However the Idexx well test that Idexx runs when you send
>blood samples into an Idexx lab is even more sensitive and accurate.
>Thus the best test is to have your vet send a blood sample into an
>Idexx lab for a heartworm test. If it is positive, then a treatment
>protocol (ie ivomec and pred or proheart 6) can be used. Remember
>heartworms in ferrets is usually fatal, so prevention is your best
>option. You can use Revolution, Advantage Multi, Interceptor,
>Heartgard, Proheart 6 or ivomec to prevent heartworms. Heartworms
>cause damage to the heart and when they die, they cause damage to
>the lungs. Both can be fatal to a ferret.
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

http://www.miamiferret.org/heartworm.htm

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/media-room/background.html
includes these two sentences in its paragraphs:
>Heartworm medications work by halting heartworm development before the
>adult worms reach the lungs and cause disease. Compared to the cost of
>treating an animal with mature adult heartworms, heartworm prevention
>is safe, easy and inexpensive. (In ferrets since most with heartworm
>die, the cost is way beyond financial.)

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/slide.html
(Repeated because it is a "must-see")

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/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html
"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)

[Posted in FML 7044]