After having three ferrets come into our shelter who tested positive for
heartworm I feel qualified to answer the heartworm questions.
 
First it is my personal feeling that during each year physical all ferrets
should be tested for heartworm.  Also I feel that after the physical and you
have gotten a NEGATIVE result you should put your ferret on the monthly
heartworm preventative..
 
Presently Beatrice Ferret (who tested positive in Nov 94) is still testing
positive (this is to be expected).  She went to Gainesville to the number 1
heartworm specialist in the U.S.  Dr. Debra Kemmerer in December and remained
their for 15 weeks.  Her initial Ultrasound showed two heatworms.  After
treatment Ultrasound showed NO heartworms - however as the heartworms break
down in the system (after treatment) and are killed microscopic portions or
their bodies can be left behind (this is the reason Beatrice still shows
Positive).
 
In February Tiny Timmy Two Teeth went to Gainesville.  Timmy's ultrasound
showed 6 heartworms.  Timmy will be returning to the shelter late in June -
he tolerated the treatment very well and I believe that his final Ultrasound
will show all heartworm gone and Timmy will own his on heart again.
 
I cannot tell you how important those heartworm test and the Heartworm
Preventative is - I am hoping that Bruce Williams will see this message and
he will tell you.
 
I can tell you that one little shelter kid that came in had heatworm and he
didn't make it - just because some Idiot didn't care enough to take care of
him (maybe that's why he ended up in our shelter?)
 
Yours Chere McCoy Ferret Friends of Indian River County Intl
[Posted in FML issue 1199]