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Post by Corvidophile on Jul 20, 2015 20:30:52 GMT -5
Um! I was going to use a Q-Tip to swab Winnipeg's ears with 5% ivermectin pour-on solution marketed for livestock, I do this every month as a preventative, when he squirmed out of my grasp and got the sopping wet Q-tip RIGHT in the eye!
He jumped away while groaning and rubbed his face on the floor, I picked him up and scruffed him tight and licked his eyelid and cheek clean of the solution (1.my tongue is a lot faster than rushing to the sink for a wet paper towel 2. I can taste whether it's actually gone 3. It seemed like it would transmit a more clear "I'm trying to help you" message than putting MORE wet paper products in his face, I'm not a serial ferret eye licker, I swear LOL) and then let him down, he still ran around squealing so I grabbed the most sterile liquid I have on hand- silver hydrosol- and scruffed him with one hand, pulled his eyelids open with the other, and put the dropper in my mouth and squeezed a drop in, let him blink and shake, repeated this a few times, and then tasted his cheek where the hydrosol and tears were running out to see if it tasted like ivermectin. It didn't. Over the next five minutes he's opened the eye almost fully, and he's doing other things around the room now instead of rubbing it. Is there anything more I should do, or is this ok?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2015 21:54:45 GMT -5
Oh dear, poor thing! I would have used water personally - a sopping wet cotton ball and squeeze the water over the eye - then another one... I'd do it multiple times to make sure the ivermectin's all gone. That's how you get chemicals out of your own eye if something goes wrong (like eyelash tint) I hope he's feeling better and there's no lasting damage. It's a bit late now to say much else, but let us know. Also maybe have a vet look at that eye...
Maybe just incase, in the future have on hand some sterile water and cotton balls so you can act immediately. Take care xx
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 7:22:14 GMT -5
I had a big male--buddy who punctured a big plastic bottle of vinegar. It got in his eyes, and I immediately put him under the faucet. I don't remember how i kept it from going in his nose. It has been so long ago. But a washcloth or fabric over the muzzle lightly applied would be good when going under the faucet and not so much water pressure.
U could call a pet poison center and see what they say as far damage or even a vet.
I would always flush with just water because you do not know how one chemical will react with another unless your very, very knowledgeable
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Post by Corvidophile on Jul 22, 2015 6:54:58 GMT -5
Very sorry for the delay in response from me, he's 100% fine! I called my vet's office and they said it's very common for new nurse techs to splash all manner of things in an animal's eye from not restraining properly, and what they always do is rinse their face under a faucet if the situation is bad, or with saline stream if it can wait a few seconds. And then apply eye ointment if the animal continues to squint. If he was willing to open it and wasn't tearing up, he's likely good, just keep a watch for signs of irritation.
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Post by Heather on Jul 22, 2015 10:58:25 GMT -5
I'm glad your little one is ok but Why are you using something as toxic as ivermectin on your ferret on a regular basis? That should only be used on an as needed basis, not as a regular cleaning regime.
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2015 13:24:22 GMT -5
I agree with Heather, as far as I remember the advice from our vet when we were treating for earmites - overdosing ivermectin can cause neurological issues, that's why it's used only when necessary
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2015 13:34:15 GMT -5
We use ivermectin for heartworm prevention, but it needs to be highly diluted. I've never heard of using it full strength on a ferret.
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Post by Heather on Jul 22, 2015 13:47:17 GMT -5
Do you use it orally for heartworm?
ciao
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Post by unclejoe on Jul 22, 2015 15:52:35 GMT -5
I keep a bottle of saline solution in the house for flushing. I have some allergies that affect my eyes, mostly, but I've used the saline on a ferret a time or two. I basically don't trust our drinking water  I'm not sure I'd want to lick a fuzzies eye and take a chance of introducing germs, but I guess they clean themselves that way, so... |
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Post by Corvidophile on Jul 22, 2015 18:08:47 GMT -5
He recommended ear-applied topical selamectin as a monthly preventative toward many common internal and external parasites, and I asked if the 5mg/mL topical ivermectin was alright as I had it on hand already in my cabinet of critter meds, and he said yes. He said the jury was out on a universally recommended dosage, but what he's done in the past is use the kitten weight dose, or just paint the outer ears with it lightly and clean the visible tunnel lightly. He seemed to think it had a wide margin of error, but I'm up to be corrected, I don't take what he says as gospel.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2015 18:20:38 GMT -5
Is your ferret outside?
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Post by katt on Jul 22, 2015 19:28:00 GMT -5
I'm glad your little guy is okay.  Just an FYI though for the future - I would not recommend licking your ferret's eye or any wounds. We have bacteria and often yeasts in our mouths that are specific to people and not necessarily meant to live on a ferret's eyeball. This could potentially cause an infection in them. Normal Saline is something that is good to have on hand anyways (one of those things that should be in every medicine cabinet) and is what I would use to flush the eyes if needed. |
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Post by Corvidophile on Jul 23, 2015 15:35:05 GMT -5
No, inside, but I plan on taking him out on a leash in the future and the neighborhood is rife with cats.
I didn't make tongue-eye direct contact, but definitely got spit on his eyelids. It was a panicked decision and I don't plan on slobbering on any more eyes, haha!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 19:31:10 GMT -5
Unless you have fleas in house or mosquitoes in house,I would not worry about putting anything on ferret, as this stuff goes into blood system then comes out onto skin to kill---this is what i read about flea medication.
Lungworms from eating slugs and snails and heartworm from mosquitoes--- I guess it is possible for ferrets to get tapeworms from fleas, but unless u see one I would not worry about it. I know we r always treating our dogs for parasites, but they r in contact with stuff on the grass a lot.
Really do not mean to sound bossy if i do---' one of these people who do not like chemicals unless when necessary
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 20:16:24 GMT -5
I agree. I've always taken my animals out. We have parks and woods all around us but live in London, in an area full of both pets and wild animals like foxes. I don't use insecticides unless they actually get mites which has happened maybe three or four times in my life (I've had animals from day dot). As long as you're sensible and you check them well they should be ok. Leo came to me with ear mites and we used ivermectin then. But in general, don't worry too much. Just make sure you check them and keep them clean and healthy. A healthy diet helps too, so I've read. As for fleas, a bath, a steam cleaner for the floors (and our beds etc - don't use near the ferrets though, move them to a different room) and the washing of all bedding and toys has always done the trick with my animals. Vets tend to want to put a lot of things into our animals to prevent things, but a lot of the time they have harmful effects themselves... To me, it's better to find natural ways of dealing with things. Hope that helps a little xx
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