Hi,
 
Someone asked if it was necessary to give ferrets heartworm preventative.
The answer is YES!
 
The following is a quote from A Practical Guide To Ferret Care c1996, by
Deborah Jeans (published by Ferrets Inc.), page 37:
 
HEARTWORM PREVENTION
 
Heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted to your pet by a mosquito bite.
Heartworm preventative is given monthly and is a must because heartworm
disease can be fatal!
 
Even if your pet does not go outdoors, mosquitoes do come inside.  It only
takes 1 infected mosquito to inject heartworm larvae into a ferret's
bloodstream.  The larvae develop into adult worms (5" - 6" long) eventually
lodging in the heart, leading to the ferret's death.
 
HEARTWORM DISEASE WARNING SIGNS
 
* Chronic cough * Lethargy * Labored breathing * Fluid accumulation in the
abdomen * Fainting * Bluish color to tongue, gums and lips *
 
Kim
[Posted in FML issue 1734]