>From:    Debbie Hunton <[log in to unmask]>
>1. Can ferrets get mange?  I know both cats and dogs can, but I have not
>   heard anything one way or the other regarding ferrets...
>All of this is because of a ferret which I saw in a petstore in central
>Florida which had a bald tail & fragile hair (how else do I say that?), but
>lots of energy.
 
Yes, ferrets, people, dogs, cats, pretty much any mammal can get mange.  It
is caused by mites.  There are 2 types: Dermodectic (sp?) which is species-
specific (in other words, cat mites only live on cats, ferret mites only
live on ferrets), and Sarcoptic which is spread from species to species.  So
if you have a dog with sarcoptic mange, you, your cats, your ferrets, and
your hamsters that all live in the same house can get the same disease.
While said dog is being treated, it would probably be advisable to treat
all the other animals in the household as well.
 
Most of the mange I have seen (I am a wildlife rehabber) shows symptoms of
itching and hair loss around the ears first.  It is pretty significant
around the ears before spreading.
 
If this pet store ferret isn't itching excessively and its ears aren't
balding, I would look for other problems (like diet) first.
 
Kim
West Michigan Wildlife Rescue
[Posted in FML issue 2355]