>Do ferrets get sarcoptic mites of the skin (i.e. mange)?  What about
>demodex mites?
 
I won't rehash the excellent information already posted here, but let
me add just a little bit.  Ferrets can indeed get demodex mites, but
as Shelly said, they are usually associated with some form of
immunosuppression.  I have seen only a few cases, and the majority had
distemper (a very immunosuppressive disease.) Long-term prednisone would
also be expected to result in Demodex infection.  The identification of a
mite or two on a skin scrape in the absence of clinical signs would not
necessitate a diagnosis of mange - all mammalians species have demodex
mite - bet you have some in your eyebrows right now.  It is only when
they get out of control that clinical signs result.  They are communicable
only within a species - dogs don't get human demodex, which don't get
hamster demodex, etc - only dog to dog, or presumably ferret to ferret
(although you'd likely need to have immunosuppressed ferrets).
 
Regarding sarcoptes - we see very little of it in this country, but it has
historically been a problem in New Zealand.  It particularly affects the
feet, and is intensely pruritic (itchy), with the animals often mangling
their own feet.  Yes, the claws are also sorely affected.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3625]