**The advice dispensed by myself in reference to FML postings is not meant
to supplant the advice of veterinarians who are in charge of the patient.
If the patient is not currently under the care of a veterinarian, the client
is recommended to take their ferret to one.**
 
>From:    Jennifer Lapierre <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Can canine mites attack ferrets?
>After getting my second ferret, I started to itch a month later.  I itched
>for 5 months through 4 doctors' visits, and none knew what it was.  I
>finally demanded a skin scrape, and it was mites.
 
Yes, ferrets can get ear mites (Otodectes cyanotis) and scabies (Sarcoptes
scabiei).  Both of these are the same mites that dogs and cats get.  I treat
ear mites with Tresaderm (ivermectin is also used) and scabies with
ivermectin.
 
>From:    IS Department <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: FLEAS FLEAS FLEAS!!!!!!!
>Our poor two girls Ophilia and Chloe are getting sick and tired of fleas and
>baths.  We have gone through 3 iterations of bathing them with flea flee
>soap (highly recommended - works like a champ) and bombing the house.
 
Program (by Ciba) is the once-a-month birth control medication for ferrets
and works well.  There is a one to two month lag time for the adults to
disappear since only baby and newborn fleas are affected.  Advantage (by
Bayer) is a once-a-month spot on preparation that kills adult fleas.  I
personally have no experience with it, but other vets and people have
reported that it works well also.
 
>From:    Bruce Levine <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: chocolate
>Yes, there is a "caffeine like" compound in chocolate that can cause
>problems if too much is ingested.
 
Theobromine is the culprit in chocolate toxicity.  Reactions to this
chemical are not consistent but more like an allergic reaction by certain
ferrets.  Based on the amount of ferrets who eat chocolate with no ill
effects, it may be that ferrets (as a species) are not prone to the allergy
like dogs are.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH
[Posted in FML issue 1689]