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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 0:06:41 GMT -5
So I am on a mission. I have been going through the forum looking at treatments and preventatives for the parasites that plague our babies. There are so many threads that I rather just make one big one where I can come back and reference as well as others referencing. I also have questions pertaining to what I have read that I would like to get cleared up.
Flea Treatment: I have read that the only anti parasitic medication that is tested and proven for ferrets is Advantage Multi. Question: Is there a specific way to give ferrets this medication? And is this still a decent medication to give? Also with fleas how do you treat the rest of the home ie: carpet, clothes bedding?
Ear Mites: I have read that Revolution works best for them. Question: How is this given? What is the dosing? Is this still effective? And how do I treat the rest of the house while they are being dosed to kill them without getting them back? And how many times should I treat everything to make sure no more of an infestation?
Salmon Oil is kind of off topic but how many times a week should they have this and what are the benefits besides a soft coat? health wise?
Heartworm preventative: I also read revolution is used for heart worm prevention. Question: How is this given? Dosing? Is it still effective for heart worm prevention? When should it be given to make sure its effective? Is there any other medication that can be used to alternate years so that you don't get an immunity to a particular medication?
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 12, 2016 8:20:33 GMT -5
I am in the states, and my vet dispenses Revolution, the kitten dose for fleas and earmites. It is also used as a heartworm preventative. It is a liquid and placed between the shoulder blades---comes in a little plastic vial. Also in the US, ferrets are kept indoors and r not routinely given heartworm and flea prevention, so probably no immunity to medication.I think there was a study done that said they had to up the dosage for heartworms. This is second hand info. I would have to find the study.
Everybody gets treated for earmites even if one has it. In two weeks,they all have to get a second dose(I had to do this--if i remember correctly, it is a space of two weeks before applying second dose). This is to get eggs that may have hatched as this does not affect eggs. I washed bedding more frequently while they were being treated.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 12, 2016 8:45:24 GMT -5
This is what i found on advantage multi for cats Effective without the stress of giving a pill. Advantage Multi® for Cats is a monthly, easy-to-use topical application that kills fleas, treats and controls ear mites, roundworms and hookworms, and prevents heartworm disease. WARNINGS: Do not use on sick or debilitated cats or ferrets. Do not use on underweight cats. (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Do not use on cats less than 9 weeks of age or less than 2 lbs body weight. Do not use on ferrets less than 2 lbs body weight.www.petbasics.com/cat-products/advantage-multi-for-cats/?pref=catI do not know if they have a kitty dose.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 11:01:18 GMT -5
I am in the states, and my vet dispenses Revolution, the kitten dose for fleas and earmites. It is also used as a heartworm preventative. It is a liquid and placed between the shoulder blades---comes in a little plastic vial. Also in the US, ferrets are kept indoors and r not routinely given heartworm and flea prevention, so probably no immunity to medication.I think there was a study done that said they had to up the dosage for heartworms. This is second hand info. I would have to find the study. Everybody gets treated for earmites even if one has it. In two weeks,they all have to get a second dose(I had to do this--if i remember correctly, it is a space of two weeks before applying second dose). This is to get eggs that may have hatched as this does not affect eggs. I washed bedding more frequently while they were being treated. I used to live in Colorado. I moved to Utah so I am in the states as well lol Now I read that the kitten dose wasn't as effective at preventing heart worms. Or maybe I have that backwards... Anyways I knew everyone got treated for earmites I was more concerned about carpet bedding stuff like that.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 11:05:28 GMT -5
Now my ferrets are also kept inside but I read that obviously misquitos can get in your house and that's how indoor ferrets can get a heartworm infection that's why I was wondering on a good preventative.
The Advantage Multi wouldn't be for any of my ferrets accept for one. Both of my oldest sprites are under 2 pounds. They each weigh during the summer 1 pound 5 ounces and 1 pound 8 to 10 ounces. Freya my 3 month old I think will be a lot bigger because she already weighs 1 pound 10 ounces.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 12, 2016 13:05:02 GMT -5
Yes you qualify for being in the states now. Haha.
I am one of these people who try to stay away from chemicals as much as possible. My ferrets do not receive any meds for heartworms. Mosquitoes are not a problem in my house. Also I do not take ferrets out in the evening. I do give heartworm meds to my dog. A friend of mine had a dog that got heart worms, so no escaping that for outside dogs.
As far as earmites, I did nothing to carpet. Do not know if they can live without a host. Never looked that up. Thank goodness, never had a flea infestation.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 13:31:51 GMT -5
Hahaha I was hoping to qualify for being in the states lol
I understand that about chemicals. I just like being prepared. I guess I can light off aunt my windows so misquote don't like my house lol
I have never had fleas either. But the off chance I do lol
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 12, 2016 13:50:21 GMT -5
If you r getting bit at night, I imagine little ones are too, so u might want give them something or fix it so they can not come in.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 13:56:41 GMT -5
That last reply from me was awful. Autocorrect is awful. I am sorry about that! I will keep an eye on the misquito thing. They are going to the vet soon I suspect ear mites because ear infection medication did not work when it was suspected.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 12, 2016 15:10:42 GMT -5
Revolution for earmites on all ferrets, because they lay with each other. Eggs can get on blankets, so clean them often during treatment.
My vet gave me the kitten dose. Two weeks later(or one wk) I had to dose them again because of possible eggs that had hatched. It does not kill eggs.
They are more dangerous than what one would suspect---- irreversible damage to inner ear and neurlogical problems and permanent hearing loss one place said.
I think my new baby brought them home. Doc did not check others---just automatically treated all.
(autocorrect will drive u crazy)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 16:00:47 GMT -5
Well I told my vet about what my ferrets are doing and she said it didn't sound like mites. So I have been watching them and trying to figure out why they do it. But I am just going to go in and make them swab and see if they can find anything. I mean I trust my vet but I can't figure out why they will sleep and explosively get out of their hammock or where they are sleeping and itch their ears and this happens a lot during the day.
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Post by javachip on Apr 12, 2016 17:10:12 GMT -5
Well I told my vet about what my ferrets are doing and she said it didn't sound like mites. So I have been watching them and trying to figure out why they do it. But I am just going to go in and make them swab and see if they can find anything. I mean I trust my vet but I can't figure out why they will sleep and explosively get out of their hammock or where they are sleeping and itch their ears and this happens a lot during the day. One of my ferrets had ear mites when I got him. Treated both of them and came back negative. The one that had ear mites does the same thing comes out of his hammock to itch his ears. I recently brought both to the vet to have there ears check. Both ear mite negative so I guess he just gets an itch
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 12, 2016 18:43:38 GMT -5
I was just was doing a wellness check on newly bought baby when vet found them.
Explosive itching happens a lot with ferrets. But it is alsways good to get them checked just to be certain.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 21:57:05 GMT -5
I have also noticed that they have nasty ears. I can clean them and two to three days later they are gross again. I am on top of my cleaning but I feel like there shouldn't be that much build up on ears regularly maintained.
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