I am responding to a post from July 14 regarding the use of Advantage and Program in ferrets. At the start of the summer season I asked my vet about this, and he said that it wasn't approved for use in ferrets, and should only be considered if fleas were a major problem. Still, the issue was lingering in my mind. Perhaps because my first ferret, Ferret-Face (stupid name, I know, but I was only ten, and it was the best I could come up with), who I had about 15 years ago did have a major flea infestation, but these products were not available back then. The two ferrets I have now (I'm only on my second and third) do not have a flea problem (I have never seen any fleas on them), but I do take them out a lot, so it is a risk. I remember how hard it was to get rid of the fleas Ferret-Face had, and I thought an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, the other day I asked another exotic vet about it, and got basically the same answer. He also added that we could use a kitten dose for larger ferrets, and half the kitten dose for smaller ferrets. Then he added that I would have to watch them carefully for signs of toxicosis, such as foaming and pawing at the mouth. Well, the thought of my babies foaming and pawing at the mouth made me very upset, so I decided not to risk it, especially since they don't have fleas anyway. However, I could see how fleas would become a problem for people who have shelters or just a lot of ferrets. By the way, the topical solution Frontline (fipronil) and Advantage (imidacloprid), and the oral tablet Program (lufenuron) are all only available through prescriptions from licensed veterinarians. There are several over-the-counter products packaged to mimic Frontline and Advantage, but they are not the same, and I have heard of cases of toxicosis resulting from their use. (I work at a vet magazine). So, I guess the bottom line is to consult with a knowledgeable vet before using any of these products. Donna, Jethro (But can I still play in the dirt?) and EllieMae (I don't want fleas!) [Moderator's note: Actually, except for vaccines, there are NO drugs approved for ferrets. According to many vets who have commented on and off the list, as well as many many people on this list, Frontline, Advantage and Program all appear to work well and are safe for use in ferrets. I'd encourage people to talk to their vets about it. BIG] [Posted in FML issue 2372]