Tick ​​and flea protection for ferrets

Symptoms of fleas

• The main and most pronounced symptom is itching , which is characterized by varying degrees of intensity. Depending on the number of fleas on one animal, the itching may be mild.
• The second most important symptom is the formation of specific papules , and intensive scratching most often provokes the formation of scabs .

Itching is the first symptom of fleas in a ferret.

• With a significant number of ectoparasites, the animal may experience areas of varying sizes with characteristic baldness . A secondary sign confirming the presence of fleas in a domestic ferret is increased excitability and irritability of the animal.
• The diagnosis is made not only on the basis of external symptoms. One of the most reliable confirmations of the presence of parasites is the results of a study of scrapings, which are taken from the affected skin areas and confirm the conclusions of a therapeutic examination.

With a significant number of ectoparasites, the animal may have areas of varying sizes with characteristic baldness

Parasites

Ferret owners often encounter parasites that attack their pets. It could be fleas. Their appearance is accompanied by severe itching and anxiety. Ferrets scratch the skin where there are insect bites, causing alopecia. To get rid of such parasites, it is necessary to use special aerosols and shampoos, and insecticidal preparations.

Other types of parasites include ear mites. They parasitize inside the auricle and in the external auditory canal. Ticks are carried by sick animals. Such insects injure the epidermis and cause severe itching. The result of their vital activity is an inflammatory process in the auricle.

Additionally, black discharge from the ears is observed. To make a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an analysis of scrapings from the damaged area. Treatment consists of using special medications that are designed to destroy the insect, reduce the severity of the inflammatory process, and accelerate the restoration of the epithelium.

Routes of infection

Flea infestation is a very common problem in domestic ferrets. Small parasitic insects easily settle on ferrets, especially if the animal has previously been in contact with flea-infested cats, dogs or any other animals. You can learn about ways to detect and destroy fleas on a cat by reading the corresponding article on our website.

In addition to the method of infection from animals already infected with ectoparasites, ferrets can acquire fleas from the external environment. Quite often, flea infestation is observed after visiting places where these blood-sucking insects live or breed.

In addition to the method of infection from animals already infected with ectoparasites, ferrets can acquire fleas from the external environment

Parasitosis caused by fleas in ferrets may not appear immediately. It should be borne in mind that these insects spend only a certain part of their life on ferrets, and the main habitat is the environment where ectoparasites carry out oviposition.

Reasons for scratching in ferrets

There are many reasons why a ferret itches if there are no fleas:

• Shedding. In spring and autumn, the animal sheds and itches intensely.
• After sleep. Waking up, the pet selflessly begins to itch.
• Allergy. Inexpensive foods may contain allergens that cause itching and scratching in ferrets.
• Wrong diet. The animal may itch due to insufficient amounts of animal fats in the food received.

A cheerful, active ferret with thick shiny fur, in the absence of diseases, becomes a favorite pet and delights the household.

Fleas are a common problem for ferrets. This is a small black insect, a parasite, very dexterous and sneaky, which can easily settle on an animal. The insect bites through the skin of an animal or a person, it feeds on blood. A ferret can pick up these unpleasant residents when interacting with stray dogs and cats that are carriers of the infection. Or just outside, lying in the grass.

Harm to the animal

• Fleas parasitize ferrets regardless of the sex and age of the animal. Ferrets infected with parasites will bite, lick or scratch themselves. And if at the beginning of infection, external manifestations are almost completely absent, and the animal does not experience a feeling of discomfort, then the number of insects increases.
• Fleas are capable of leaving their fecal excretions on the skin of the ferret, as well as among its hair, which makes the appearance of the animal less healthy and presentable.
• A severe degree of infestation is characterized not only by the development of symptoms of anemia, but also contributes to slower growth and a significant deterioration in the quality of fur. Such manifestations are especially noticeable in the fragile bodies of young ferrets.

The result of numerous bites is the development of anemia in the ferret.

• Subtle bite marks are red in color, and the resulting ulcers are visible to the naked eye. Such violations of the integrity of the skin contribute to the development of a secondary bacterial infection.
• If the number of blood-sucking insects is significant, then the result of numerous bites is the development of anemia in the animal, which manifests itself in lethargy, apathy, decreased appetite and increased fatigue. Anemia is a rather serious disease and requires immediate treatment.

Can fleas pass to humans?

In particularly advanced situations, insects can be found throughout the home, including on humans. The insects will bite and cause an unpleasant itch, especially for those people who are sensitive to insect infestation. As a rule, bite marks appear in the leg area, primarily in the ankle area. If the bite site is scratched, a secondary infection may enter the body.

Remember, you are responsible for those you have tamed, take care of your pet, devote as much time to it as necessary! The above methods will help cure your pet or completely avoid the appearance of fleas in your home.

Treatment methods

If fleas are found on an animal, treatment should be started immediately. In addition, if you have other pets at home in addition to the ferret, you should check them for the presence of blood-sucking ectoparasites, and if any are found, carry out all the necessary therapeutic measures.

There are no specific products designed to kill fleas exclusively on ferrets. That is why veterinarians recommend using anti-flea drugs for dogs and cats to combat ectoparasites. Depending on the degree of development of the disease and the number of ectoparasites, the veterinarian will select the optimal drug that will help destroy blood-sucking insects with minimal harm to the animal. The most relevant and modern remedy today is the drug “Advantage” , designed to kill fleas in cats.

There are no specific products designed to kill fleas exclusively on ferrets. The most relevant and modern remedy today is the drug “Advantage”, developed to kill fleas in cats

A characteristic feature of fleas is that, depending on humidity and temperature conditions, ectoparasite larvae can remain viable in the environment for two to three weeks. It is for this reason that the use of anti-flea drugs should be combined with high-quality wet cleaning. It is recommended to thoroughly rinse the floors and treat all household items with water and special products. You can find out how to disinfect an apartment from fleas.

Please note that some medications are strictly prohibited for use on ferrets. These products include flea collars, as well as preparations containing phosphates. In addition, any preparations based on permethrin, regardless of the form of release, should not be used to kill fleas on ferrets.

Treating ferrets for fleas

The long-awaited day has come when a ferret has settled in your house. The first few days you will enjoy communicating with your new household member. After 5-7 days have passed from the moment your pet appears in your home, you need to think about treating it for fleas and worms. Fleas cause a lot of trouble for animals, and ferrets in particular. Pain during a parasite bite; itching leading to self-injury (scratching, abrasions, scratches); high probability of bacterial and fungal inflammation of the skin in areas of scratching; allergic dermatitis; There is a 100% chance for a ferret to become infected with worms, as well as the likelihood of anemia (with a strong flea infestation) - the cause of all this can be small “tenants”.

You may not always be able to detect fleas on an animal or their waste products (feces). Fleas only feed on animals, that is, they drink blood, but live and lay eggs in rugs, carpets, and furniture upholstery. Therefore, flea treatment for the animal itself, as well as carpets, rugs and floors, is definitely necessary.

Any treatment can be carried out only if the animal is in normal health, namely, the ferret must be quite active, have a good appetite, urination and defecation must be regular, and the urine must be light. In the presence of poor appetite, apathy, rhinitis (nasal discharge of various types and colors), sneezing, coughing, diarrhea and other pathological conditions, deworming and flea treatment are not carried out. If your ferret has no contraindications, then the first thing you should do is flea treatment. You should not bathe the animal before treatment. If you have already bathed your ferret, then you need to wait 3-5 days and then apply the drug. For ferrets, flea medications can be used from the 21st day of life. There are several treatment methods for ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice eaters):

• “Spot-on” drops – applying drops to the skin (!!) in the withers area (i.e. between the shoulder blades)
• Sprays - the drug is applied to the skin (!!) over the entire surface of the body
• Collars - the collar should be tightened so that it is difficult for a finger to fit into the gap between the neck and the collar.

Attention! An allergic reaction may occur to any of the drugs, regardless of price and manufacturer (this is an exclusively individual reaction of a particular organism). Fortunately, allergic reactions are rare in ferrets. Collars come first in this regard, as they often have a pungent odor. When using the collar, try to observe the ferret for a while (1-2 hours after putting it on). Ferrets are very active and nimble animals, so there is always a danger that your pet could get caught on something in the collar and this will lead to suffocation. To prevent this situation, lock your ferret in a cage while you are away. Drops are used once a month, sprays - once a week, collars - according to the manufacturer's instructions (instructions). We recommend treating ferrets with the following medications:

• Stronghold drops for kittens (effective against ear mites)
• Drops "Inspector" for kittens and cats up to 4 kg (effective against ear mites)
• Advantage drops for cats up to 4 kg
• Fiprex drops and spray for cats
• Sprays "Bolfo" and "Frontline"

Flea treatments should be done year-round and for the rest of your life. You can purchase all these drugs in our pet stores on the street. Belorusskaya, 203 and st. Taganrogskaya, 106 from 9.00 to 21.00. Sales consultants will help you choose the best option for your ferret.