> Could there also be a third risk, that being parasitic flatworms (flukes,
>tapeworms, etc)?  Isn't raw fish consumption a major risk for these
>parasites, or is this uncommon in Ferrets.  Just Wondering,  Dan
 
    Dan - We don't see parasitic roundworms (Anisakis)- sorry - earlier I
told you they were flatworms- often in mustelids, perhaps it has to do with
the source of the fish.  Anisakis is more common in the far east, but we do
occasionally see it in Pacific seals off the coast of California.
 
    This type of parastitism ahsn't been reproted in ferrets, but that's
not to say that it doesn't occur...
 
Bruce H. Williams, DVM         Dept. of Veterinary Pathology
Chief Pathologist, AccuPath    Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
[log in to unmask]         Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
                               [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1247]