YES, ferrets CAN get heartworm! We know from (sad) personal experience with one of the shelter ferrets who died after she was spayed. Made it through the operation OK, but died about 15-20 minutes later. The necropsy revealed that her heart had several heartworms in it. She was a stray who had been outside for who knows how long, which is probably how she picked up the heartworms in the first place. You need to either educate your vet or find another one who knows more about ferrets. On another note, we have been told that Ivomec injectable, given orally, not only kills ear mites but also heartworm larvae. I'm not sure about dosage, so talk to your vet. Kurt & Sara Petersen FURRY (Ferrets Underfoot RUnning Round You) http://www.furryferrets.org Help raise money for the shelter! Click on http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=5129 [Posted in FML issue 3088]