We used to give our ferrets a full cat-sized dose (cats 5-15 lbs) of Revolution monthy during the mosquito season (6 months of the year), as a preventative for heart worm. This year, after some research, my vet was hesitant to prescribe it, as his research led him to conclude that 12 – 18 mg. of selamectin per kg of weight monthy is sufficient to prevent heartworm, as well as take care of fleas, ticks, ear mites, and anything else. A full vial of cat-sized Revolution is .75 ml of liquid and contains 45 mg of selemectin (per the Revolution website). Thus, if you believe the research that my vet refers to, then a full tube of the cat-sized Revolution contains approximately three times the necessary monthly dosage of selemectin to prevent heartworm in a 1-kg ferret.

I have one study saved on my computer, and can send it to anyone interested. I have also seen another study, but did not save it. I’m not at home for a few days, so I can’t really look for the one I don’t have, but I can send out the other one as a PDF attachment to anyone interested. But my personal conclusion from the study that I have and the other one I read, plus my vet’s information, is that 18 mg. of selemectin monthly for a 1-kg ferret should be quite enough to prevent heartworm. Thus, this year I have gone from giving a full dose of cat-sized Revolution monthy to giving a half-vial monthly per ferret. All of our ferrets are pretty close to the 1-kg weight level. The half-vial dispenses approx. 22 mg of the selemectin, more than enough, in my belief, to protect them.

I did not see any adverse reactions in the two years that we used a full vial (45 mg. of selemectin monthly). However, my vet believes that long-term overmedication with selemectin could lead to some problems, as can over-dosing with most meds. I have to believe him on this one, and my personal comfort level for keeping our 6 ferrets safe from heartworm has decreased accordingly. My vet feels that even the half-vial is too much, but I’d rather go a little over the 18 mg. monthly than a little under, so he capitulated.

Here is the link to the information on Revolution, directly from their website:

http://www.revolution4cats.com/default.aspx?sec=Prescribing%20Information

Kesrael Vacchon wrote this

I don’t usually read ‘Hints from Heloise’ but when I saw the ‘The ’sweet’ facts about owning ferrets’ headline in my local paper this morning, I had to give it a read. Heloise mentioned before that years ago she owned a pet ferret(s) so a reader was asking for advice before possibly purchasing pet ferrets for her children. From a pet store, no less. Heloise didn’t even mention the possibility of going to a rescue to the person who asked about getting ferrets.

Hrm, well, among other things, she tells readers to give ferrets ‘fruit and sweet vegetables’ as treats. I think we all know by now that ferrets are obligate carnivores and cannot digest these mentioned ‘treats’. I know I’ll also be mentioning in my e-mail to her that she is putting her readers’ ferrets lives at risk, as feeding these foods can cause painful intestinal blockages and lead to expensive (been there, done that on the blockage surgery) surgeries and/or death.

She also says ‘A good ferret breeder will spay or neuter and de-scent the babies before selling them to you.’ Hmm, never heard of this one, either. The only time I’ve heard of getting an already speutered ferret from a breeder is when you purchase a retired breeding ferret. Sure, you can urchase a kit on a contract that you have the kit speutered, but you’re still the one responsible for and paying for the surgery to be done. I mean, I could be wrong, I’ve never purchased a baby, much less a ferret from a breeder (all my ferrets have come second hand ) but I always hought, you know, the point of getting a baby, was to get a baby. And don’t most breeders recommend waiting until the ferret is just under a year old before getting it speutered?

I also don’t like the part where she says ‘Do not need a large cage, but should be allowed out every day for exercise and mental stimulation’ Yes, we all agree that ferrets *DO* need to be left out for at least 4 hours every day for exercise. However, I have never read *anywhere* that ferrets ‘do not need a large cage’. Anyone else?

LOL, she also says, in making her point that owning a ferret is not like owning a cat that ‘ferrets are weasels’.

She does make good points about ferret proofing your home and it is better to have them in pairs, ‘NEVER feed ferrets breads, nuts, grains
or dairy products.’ and all, she’s not 100% off the mark. She mentions that they will need annual vaccinations (sadly, doesn’t mention an
‘exotics’ vet).

Here is a link to the entire article:

http://www.indeonline.com/lifestyles/x1566715046/Heloise-A-few-facts-about-ferrets

hey everyone, wanted to share with you all so perhaps this won’t happen to one of your babies.

I almost lost Rasta today. he decided after getting a quick bath and me forgetting to baby gate the kitchen he would climb up the inside of the stove on the narrow sides and got stuck. there was no way for me to get to him and he almost suffocated. somehow he dislodged himself, but was in shock, drooling, and just kind of laying there. rush hour traffic from oakland park to pembroke pines he finally came around at the vet. he has a swollen chin, is on antibiotics & melaxacam.

Please keep your animals away from the stove which has a hidden danger on the inside to climb up. it’s not just them able to climb in and play in the bottom drawer. This was truly a blessing for me to have not lost him. he is only about 2-1/2 and a joy every morning to me and monkey’s partner in crime. even after 20 yrs of having them i learn something everyday. Just thought this worth passing onto you all. Yes, he gets extra kisses from mom tonight and a thank you to up above.
jane

Research by Nico Shoemaker from the Netherlands suggests that surgical neutering of ferrets can lead to adrenal disease. He suggests that rather than surgically neuter ferrets to use deslorelin implant which will chemically neuter them and keep them on it for the rest of their lives.

I have read his research papers and the evidence is very compelling – however there’s no long term research as to any long term side effects (if any). I have been thinking of using the deslorelin implant to delay surgically neutering for about 2 years as there is also evidence that suggests that later the neutering the less likely the chances of adrenal occuring. However, his research seems to suggeset that any surgical neutering can possibly lead to adrenal disease.

Yes, exactly. Neutering at any time in life removes the ovaries and testes so they can’t signal to shut off the high LH output which ultimately irritates the adrenals badly enough to cause tissue overgrowth. There is one unrelated experiment which indicates that there may be
some changes in females after the first heat, but even if so it might not make a huge difference.

Chemical neutering with substances that themselves can reduce LH output — for example, deslorelin — may have more promise, or the GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone) Vaccines being worked on may be as good or better. That is current research.

Lupron is related to deslorelin but shorter acting and more expensive.

BTW, word is that the FDA has made it harder to import deslorelin now, perhaps because so many vets ordered it? I wish the U.S.A. would just allow that med in the right implant form for ferret use.

HI all I have a question about the flu also phenomnia .Monday morning I got up also let my babies out of bed also noticed later on that one of my girls , 6 yrs old , was coughing also acting a bit wierd so right away I called my ferret vet also he got her right in on Tues morning, also when I got up and doing Tues morning I had a different one acting the same way, male , also 6 yrs in age ,so I took him as well, after an exam on both found out that they had the flu which had turned into Phenomnia with both, the vet asked if anybody has been sick also no one in this household has had the flu at all, so I am assuming that it was carried in bye someone from out of the home. We still dont have any flu symptoms ( the humans ) here. Anyways he put them on Baytril, 2 times a day am & pm doses, also added some flaver compound to it , I am seeing a spot of improvement in them since tuesday , they are eating there duck soup 3 times a day, also drinking plenty of water . I have them seperated in a hospital cage away from my other 6 babies since Monday, also needles to say when I got home from the vet on Tues did a through cleaning of my fert room trying to control the others from getting this awful virus, I have been changing bedding on a daily basis also food also water dishes every time they eat a new meal. Has anyone had this happen to their babies when nobody in the house has been sick with the flu, Im just wondering if there can be another cause for this, I am just assuming that someone carried it in the house also they got it. We had been to south carolina the week of aug 7th , my son graduated from the marines, also also came home with us for 10 day leave , maybe we picked up something there , they all were fine when we left that week . It had been so busy around here that I wasnt spending the time with them that I routinely do , also If would have caught it sooner, maybe it woouldnt have gotten so terrible for them , I dont know. Well I just wanted some feedback on this also any more guidance about flu babies on careing for them also anything else that I can do for them.
Thank -You ,
FertMommie of 8 also owned bye
Simion-3yr
Ozzy-3yr
Eli-2yr
Zeek-6yr
Emily-8yr
Bear-2yr
Zarri-2yr
Jazzi-6yr

Sometimes humans can be resistant to an influenza so it will not be but it is still just as contagious from them. On occurrence ferrets can contaminate humans but their coughs also sneezes are tiny also they don’t bear viruses also more on their hands like we do, so it is far, far more likely for humans to infect ferrets rather than the other technique around.

Congratulations on finding also treating the pneumonia in time. Far too repeatedly that doesn’t happen. It can be very hard to spot in them also sometimes produces almost no symptoms until it is very advanced.