On a few subjects -
 
        Tony - if your dog is vaccinated for rabies, and ha good protection,
you don't have to worry about him giving it to your ferrets.  The virus
would have to be aboe to reproduce in the body, travel up the nerves from
the site of the bite to the salivary gland, and then be transmitted via
a bite.
 
        However, it is still a good iden to have your ferrets vaccinated
for rabies anyhow....
 
 
        On Precor flea collars -
 
        Precor (methoprene), a growth regulator and artificial flea hormone
which prevents hatchout of eggs.  While this compund will most likley not be
harmful to your ferret, I've never put any stock in the efficacy of flea
collars of ANY kind, and I think that most ets would probably agree.  The best
way to controls fleas is regular bathing and treating the environment.  And do
that cat, too!!!!
 
        On intestinal worms in ferrets -
 
        Ferrets very rarely develop any type of intestinal worm infection.  Most
worms eggs have to be on the ground for several days before infecting another
dog or cat, and ferrets don't get outside very much.  And they certainly don't
ingest dirt as much as dogs do.  So the opportunity to get intestinal worms is
very slim.  Brining feces to your vet once yearly at the annual checkup time
will allow him/her to check for both worms and protozoa at the same time.  I
DO NOT endorse the practice of giving Hartz or other wormes on a "preventative"
basis.
 
        On ringworm (now we're going back a few days...)
 
        There have been several good posts on ringworm.  Yes, your cat or og
can transmit ringworm to you, your kids or your ferrets.  Ringworm is a very
superficial fungus that lives in the hair follicles, and progressively erodes
the hair shaft itself, which eventually breaks off.  Ringworm lesions in
animals are hairless, scaly patches.  It can be treated by a variety of
antifungal cremes or lotions, after the surrounding hair is completely
shaved (gives the fungus less material to live on.)  Severe cases may require
griseofulvin, an oral medication that has been used in animals for years (but
should not be used on pregnant animals).
 
Ringworm infection in cats can be difficult to treat, and you may be battling
it for a while.
 
Bruce Williams  [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1115]