To Mr. Ang Dong:
>I have been reading about Heartworm preventative for the past couple of
>days and was wondering if this a common problem amongst ferrets?
>... so should I be concerned or is this mostly for ferrets kept outdoors?
 
    Heartworm disease is not a terribly common problem among ferrets except
in some of the Southern states, but it is certainly on the rise.  With the
minimal expense of heartworm prevention for ferrets, you should certainly
talk with your vet about dispensing heartworm prevention for your ferret
too.  As heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, indoor pets can get
heartworms, too.
 
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP
[Posted in FML issue 1362]