Ferrets: Prevention Of Viral And Parasitic Diseases

Increasingly common as a pet, this curious pet always surprises their owners for their ability to learn and for their sympathy. Although believed to belong to the rodent, in fact it is a mustelid. It is usually easy to maintain, however, have to be careful with the diseases that are susceptible: notes on this simple guide that we present.

1. Prevention: Viral diseases

Distemper

* High morbidity and mortality approaches 100%.
* Incubation period: 7 Is 21 days.
* Early symptoms: photophobia, ocular and nasal discharge light. According progresses: high fever, anorexia, profuse purulent oculonasal flow pattern thickening and scaling dermatologic exudates affecting chin and lips may include skin of the fingers and rectal and groin area.

* Other signs: CNS disorders, diarrhea and severe depression.
* The course can be up to 35 days.
* Treatment with treatment failure, the most charitable is to recommend euthanasia.
* Prevention: Vaccination with live vaccines against canine distemper canine cultured cell lines.
* Vaccination schedule:

or Mother vaccinated: first vaccination of pups at 8 weeks. Two booster injections with an interval of 21 days.

unvaccinated or Mother: first vaccination of pups at 6 weeks. Revaccination every 21 days until they are 14 weeks.

or annual re-evacuation.

Rage
* It is doubtful that they can acquire the disease naturally.
* There is no recorded instance of transmission of rabies from a ferret man.
* Vaccinate only if clearly indicated.

Flu

* You can spread the virus reciprocal human influenza between ferrets and humans.
* In adult animals causes a mild disease of the upper respiratory tract.
* In young and debilitated adults can be fatal.
* Prevention: Infected people should not handle the young or weak animals.
* Special animal care hospitalized for serious illnesses.

Aleutian disease
* Progressive disease caused by a parvovirus that affects ferrets and mink.
* There is no vaccine or effective treatment to combat it.
* High prevalence of infected animals but few develop the disease.
* It is spread by contact with any body fluids, including blood.
* Prevention based on serological diagnosis early to avoid contact with other HIV-positive individuals, especially those devoted to reproduction.

2. Prevention: pest control

Intestinal Parasites

* Conventional products for cats, paste for ease of administration and dosage.
* Selamectin at recommended doses for cats.
* Flotation Tests to determine Giardia.

Dirofilaria immitis

* Selamectin at recommended doses for cats.

Fleas

* Selamectin at recommended doses for cats.

Ear mite

* Selamectin at recommended doses for cats