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NdV - 10 Jul 2008 07:20 GMT

Okay, I know this is probably going to sound really retarded but I've never
had to really deal with fleas on my ferrets before. Tonight when I was
clipping my little Yuki's nails, I noticed a dark little "spot" on her head.
She's
albino so it makes it really easy to see into her fur. Sure enough it was a
flea.

Well, Yuki had some ferritone on her belly so she really didn't care that I
was
mussing her fur around, until she was finished and I still hadn't caught the
bugger.
So I tried holding her by the scruff and using some tweezers to grab the
guy,
and right as I was about to apprehend it - she decided I was holding her for
too long and bolted (carpal tunnel makes it hard to hold on real well - I
think she
just stayed still to humor me). Now I'm afraid he's taking refuge in her
ear.

Next thought was using some ear mite remover and giving her ears a good
clean.
That means going to the store tomorrow - but in the mean time, do I have
anything
to worry about with the flea possibly being in her ear? Or will it leave
after
it believes the coast is clear?

I have human ear cleaner available if that is necessary.

- Jen -

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Paula - 10 Jul 2008 17:26 GMT

I expect she'll scratch that flea out if its bothering her enough, but
tomorrow you need to get her some treatment that treats the whole body, not
just her ears (systemic treatment helps with ear mite too). Also consider
that a flea infestation is not just on the animal but in your soft
furnishings, and on any other animals so treat them too.

When mine were having trouble with ear mites the vet prescribed them
Stronghold (I'm in England so it may not be available/called this where you
are) which contains something called Selamectin. The box says 'for cats &
dogs weighing 2.5 kg or less' and 'spot-on solution for internal and
external parasites'. It's drops that you put onto the skin at the back of
the neck and it absorbs through the skin.
I was advised to use one 0.25ml tube across 4 ferrets - so if you opt for
this sort of stuff you only need a very small amount per animal, and it
protects for a month - enough to break the parasite life cycle.
HTH

Signature

Paula
with
Wotsit, Dyson, Uhu & Dinky,

remembering Rumpus, Biffa, Bostik, Banzai, Mischief & DC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> Okay, I know this is probably going to sound really retarded but I've
> never
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> - Jen -

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BB - 11 Jul 2008 17:21 GMT

Never thought of trying a systemic. Sounds like a good tip.
For what it's worth I sometimes spray their home and bedding with Frontline
(Flea and tick spray). Then when they kip down it gets into their fur. If
you use straw or hay, shove it in a bin liner, spray it and give it a good
shake so it gets coated.
BB

>I expect she'll scratch that flea out if its bothering her enough, but
>tomorrow you need to get her some treatment that treats the whole body, not
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
>>
>> - Jen -

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Ferrets / July 2008

A Single Flea