To the poster who wants to know if ferrets are susceptible to Lyme disease:
 
Although spontaneous cases of Lyme disease have not been reported yet in the
ferret, I see no reason that they would not get it if bitten by an infected
tick.  It is not that cats are resistant, it is just that, by nature, they
get far fewer ticks than dogs, so the exposure is less.  Should you vaccinate
your ferret for Lyme disease - I don't think so due to the fact that ferrets
really should not come in contact with ticks (not that they won't but they
really shouldn't....).  And yes, ferrets in heartworkm endemic areas should
be on heartworm prevention - they can get heartworm disease, and only a few
worms will kill a ferret.
 
Bruce Williams, DVM  [log in to unmask]  OR  [log in to unmask]
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP              Department of Veterinary Pathology
[log in to unmask]               Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
[log in to unmask]             Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
(202) 782-2600/2602
[Posted in FML issue 1159]