To all ferrets in mosquito infested areas-
 
Perry and I just got back from the vet.  Regarding the heartworm medication:
he said the liquid form ivermectin is rather unstable in any bottle he could
give to me (it is intended to be injected into +cows?+, but, apparentlly can
be given orally to ferrets).  He recommended the chewalbe Heartgard 30 Plus
(for dogs 5-25 pounds).  He told me to cut each in half, and NOT to give the
second half the next month, as it would also be exposed to air (they come in
sealed blister-type packs).  A nine month supply (April to December in
Minnesota) costs $36.00.  He also told me that if Perry won't eat them, to
come back and get the pill-form.  This could be cost effective if you have
two ferts, or an even number at any rate.  Since I only have one, I'll be
tossing half away each month.  A possible problem can occur with the
pills-the medication might not be evenly distributed, and since it most
probably will need to be cut in smaller amts., your ferret might not recive
the correct dosage.
 
Other than that he gave Perry a phycial exam, rabies booster, canine
distemper, a blood screen (white blood cell/red blood cell/protien), and a
fecal test for blood.
 
Has anyone tried feeding the Heartgard to a ferret?  Thanks,
 
                               _,-/"---,         Mike O'Rourke
         ;"""""""""";         _/;; ""  <@`--v    University of Minnesota
       ; :::::  ::  "\      _/ ;;  "    _../     College of Biological Sciences
      ;"     ;;  ;;;  \___/::    ;;,'""""
     ;"          ;;;;.  ;;  ;;;  ::/             [log in to unmask]
    ,/ / ;;  ;;;______;;;  ;;; ::,/
    /;;V_;;   ;;;       \       /
    | :/ / ,/            \_ "")/
    | | / /"""=            \;;\""=       <- "Perry"
    ; ;{::""""""=            \"""=
 ;"""";
 \/"""
[Posted in FML issue 1519]