The following are two different vet responses I recieved over the interne t regarding flea control for my little Buddy. Now I am more confused then ever! Any help would be wonderful! >all flea products containing pyrethrins are safe to use in ferrets Animal >sprays and powders (even pyrethrins) are slightly more toxic because they >work by leaving a residue and are ingested when the ferret grooms. All >products containing organophosphates should be avoided. There is a new >product in dog and cat flea control called Program. This oral product >contains a hormone (Lufenuron) which prevents flea eggs from hatching, but >does not kill adult fleas. Although this is not a total cure, it is a major >step in a very safe direction. >Regarding the use of Program in ferrets, I know that it has been used in >ferrets by other veterinarians at the cat dose, (that is, the dose you would >give a 1 to 2 lb kitten), but I have not been recommending it to my ferret >patients simply because it is not recommended by the manufacturer for >ferrets yet. The fact is that the drug appears to be safe for ferrets, but >without more specific dosing information I still remain more comfortable >with topical application of sprays or powders once weekly. Make sure to use >a product like Ovitrol which states on the label: "Approved for puppies and >kittens over 6 weeks of age". [TJ] [Posted in FML issue 1801]