http://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/slide.html The most recent vet messages on this specific topic in the FHL Archives and other resources: http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL10409 >Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 16:00:28 EST >Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Heartworms? treatment vs prevention > >Hi Tony > >For prevention of heartworms: ivermectin (Heartgard), selamectin >(Revolution, also called Stronghold), moxidectin (ProHeart 6; >Advantage multi, also called Advocate) are all just about 100% >effective, and all 3 are safe to use. > >The other preventative is milbemycin (Interceptor). It is also just >about 100% effective as a preventative and safe to use. > >When it comes to treatment options, they do not all work as well. >Ivermectin and moxidectin (ProHeart 6) will slowly kill the adult >heartworms, but this may take 6 to 18 months. Selamectin is not as >good at killing the adult heartworms, so it is not recommended for >treatment. > >Immiticide (the product that we use in dogs to treat adult heartworms) >works great in dogs, but it is NOT safe enough for use in ferrets or >cats. Thus ProHeart or ivermectin is recommended for heartworm >treatment in ferrets. > >Pred is used during treatment to limit blood clots and to reduce >inflammation in the lungs. > >Needless to say it is better to prevent heartworms than to treat >heartworms! > >Hope that clears things up, >Jerry Murray, DVM http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL10402 >Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 19:36:01 EST >Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Heartworms? and Ivermectin > >Hello Amy >Yes, ferrets can get heartworms, and heartworms can be hard to see >on an ultrasound of the heart. The dog heartworm test (Idexx Snap) >or Idexx labs (well test) are the recommended tests for heartworms. >Ivermectin is quite safe in ferrets, dogs and cats at the right dose. >However some dog breeds (collies, etc) can have a (genetic) problem >with ivermectin. Turtles and tortoises are also prone to having >problems with ivermectin. However I have never seen a ferret have >a problem with ivermectin. First find out if there is actually >heartworms, then you can use pred and ivermectin. The tumor by the >kidney could be an adrenal tumor, possible lymphoma, or other cancer. >Time to find out what that is too. > >Hope that helps, >Jerry Murray, DVM http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL5195 >Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:16:00 EDT >Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:How to deal with heartworm exposure > >The Idexx SNAP heartworm test (ie "the dog test") can be used in >ferrets. However the Idexx well test that Idexx runs when you send >blood samples into an Idexx lab is even more sensitive and accurate. >Thus the best test is to have your vet send a blood sample into an >Idexx lab for a heartworm test. If it is positive, then a treatment >protocol (ie ivomec and pred or proheart 6) can be used. Remember >heartworms in ferrets is usually fatal, so prevention is your best >option. You can use Revolution, Advantage Multi, Interceptor, >Heartgard, Proheart 6 or ivomec to prevent heartworms. Heartworms >cause damage to the heart and when they die, they cause damage to >the lungs. Both can be fatal to a ferret. > >Hope that helps, >Jerry Murray, DVM http://www.miamiferret.org/heartworm.htm http://www.heartwormsociety.org/ http://www.heartwormsociety.org/media-room/background.html includes these two sentences in its paragraphs: >Heartworm medications work by halting heartworm development before the >adult worms reach the lungs and cause disease. Compared to the cost of >treating an animal with mature adult heartworms, heartworm prevention >is safe, easy and inexpensive. (In ferrets since most with heartworm >die, the cost is way beyond financial.) http://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/slide.html (Repeated because it is a "must-see") Sukie (not a vet) Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/ http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html all ferret topics: http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html "All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow." (2010, Steve Crandall) [Posted in FML 7044]