PETS CARE

Most of the external parasites of domestic dogs and cats (fleas, mange mites, ear mites, etc) can cause disease in ferrets. Less is known about the ferret's susceptibility to the more common internal parasites (roundworms, etc) of dogs and cats. Protozoan (one-celled) parasites, also shared by dogs and cats (especially Giardia and coccidia), can cause intestinal disease among ferrets. Periodic fecal (stool) examinations should be performed by your veterinarian to heck for such parasites. Appropriate treatment can then be given, if warranted.

Ringworm (a fungal disease of the skin similar to Athlete's foot): Has been reported in young ferrets and may be transmitted by infected cats. As a rule of thumb, products manufactured and intended for use in and on cats (dewormers, flea products, ringworm medications, etc) are safe and suitable for use in and on ferrets, with one exception: flea collars should never be used on ferrets.

Heartworm Disease: Ferrets are susceptible to heartworm disease, a mosquito-transmitted illness seen primarily in dogs. Ferret owners must carefully consider the pros and cons of preventive therapy for this disease. Some ferrets may have adverse reactions to the drug used for heartworm prevention. Furthermore, the average pet ferret is very unlikely to be bitten by an infected mosquito unless it lives in an area of heavy heartworm infection and is often exposed (housed outdoors) to mosquitoes. Most pet ferrets housed exclusively indoors are unlikely to become infected by heartworms and should not require preventive therapy.

Other Viral Diseases: Ferrets are not susceptible to the viruses that commonly produce upper respiratory disease in domestic cats (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus), nor are they susceptible to canine hepatitis. There is no definitive evidence that ferrets are susceptible to canine parvovirus or feline leukemia virus; therefore, vaccination against these diseases is probably unnecessary. A few cases of lymphoma and lymphosarcoma (cancer) have occurred in ferrets over the years. Some of these ferrets tested positive for feline leukemia virus, while others tested negative. Though a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be proven by such a small number of cases, the possibility exists that ferrets may become infected with feline leukemia virus. Cancer can be one possible result of such an infection. Some researchers believe that leukemia and related diseases among ferrets may be caused by a virus or viruses specific to ferrets.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: This is another serious viral disease of cats for which ferret susceptibility is not yet known. There is no vaccine available for this disease, not even for cats. Because of the lack of knowledge regarding ferret susceptibility to this disease and the other feline diseases previously discussed, ferret owners should be extremely cautious with regard to their pet's exposure to cats, especially those exhibiting signs of illness and those of unknown health status.

Influenza: It is interesting to note that ferrets are susceptible to infection with several strains of human influenza ("flu") virus. Signs of this illness may mimic those of canine distemper (listlessness, fever, inappetence, sneezing, nasal discharge, etc). Unlike distemper, however, influenza usually passes within 5 days of the onset of illness, and ferrets recover. Bacterial infections may complicate the viral infection.

Bacterial Infections: Various bacteria can produce a variety of diseases ferrets, including botulism, tuberculosis, dysentery (caused by Campylobacter fetus), and abscesses and infections caused by bite wounds and other injuries. Judicious use of antibiotics is usually sufficient for treatment of most, but not all, of these conditions.(Parasitic and Infections_Ferret Diseases)