Ferrets are just as susceptible to tapeworms as dogs and cats. Focus on the area between his shoulder blades—this is a popular ‘flea’ spot on ferrets. * Check with your vet first but this treatment is in the BSAVA Manual, Ferret Rescues, Welfares, Sanctuaries & Boarding. 1 Roundworms live an average of 4 months and have a life cycle ranging from as early as 14 days to as … [3] Infection with worms (helminths) is rare, but roundworms can potentially pass between ferrets, puppies and kittens. Don't forget if you have cats and dogs you need to worm all the animals at the same time. If left untreated, tapeworms can grow up to three feet long in the intestines. Read the product label carefully and follow the instructions exactly. Your vet will prescribe sulphonamide drugs, possibly for some weeks to ensure the disease is cleared up. By using our site, you agree to our. Giving medicine to a ferret can be challenging. You may need to ‘flea bomb’ your house if the flea infestation is severe. If you have never used Frontline before, I suggest you use it on your ferret's coat first to make sure there's no problem but after that you can do flea, tick and earmite treatment in one adminstration in late spring/early summer and perhaps a second treatment later in the year if required. In theory, the ferret is susceptible to most parasites of the dog and cat. Most mammals, especially carnivores, can be hosts to lots of parasitic worms. If you are uncomfortable giving medicine to your ferret, ask your veterinarian for tips on how to do it safely and effectively. Your ferret can get tapeworms by swallowing infected fleas. Other forms of worms, including hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, flukes, and lungworms, usually cause ferrets to lose weight. After reading these, I stopped worrying about my ferret. I still am watching him. Other clinical signs of tapeworms include a distended abdomen (‘pot belly’), a dull coat, and an inability to exercise. This article will dive into and explain everything you need to know about roundworms in dogs—from what they are and the symptoms they cause to how to treat and prevent them. It is also worth remembering that some species of roundworm are transmissible to humans, resulting in the tragic cases of blindness through Toxocara infection where the worn larvae migrate to the eye. Your veterinarian may also recommend spraying the cage and its contents (not the food and water bowls, of course) with a ferret-safe flea spray. Probably the most common of these are ticks and fleas. These FAQ will help you identify, treat and prevent roundworms in your cat. The first sign is usually bloody diarrhoea. But fortunately, roundworms in dogs can be easily diagnosed and effectively treated. Following on from the last issue's topic of external parasites, ferret owners may like to know that a drop of Frontline* in the ferret's ears is very successful at clearing earmites. Roundworms are very common in the UK – in fact studies have shown that over 20% of dogs and cats may be actively infected at any one time! Puppies have the highest risk of getting them and becoming sick. One of the most frequently asked questions on this subject is: 'Do I need to worm my ferrets?' There are two species of roundworms that infect cats; both are round, up to four inches long, and white to pale brown in color (they look similar to spaghetti noodles). If your ferret does not go out and about where dogs and cats have been; you are certain it doesn't have a munch on any passing slug, snail, mouse or whatever; and you don't feed it wild carcase, and it never has fleas, the answer is probably that it wouldn't be necessary. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 14,380 times. Caring for a ferret with worms should be done only under the care of a vet. The chest may also need to be tapped to remove any fluid that could have accumulated. If he comes in contact with other animal faeces (cat, dog, fox etc), if he's the sort to grab a creepy crawly as a snack, or if you feed him on wild caught carcase, then ask your vet gor a worming treatment. Place… Ascaris lumbricoides (also called human roundworm), which is the most common roundworm infection, and affects as many as one billion people worldwide. This is the disease that can cause so much harm to pregnant women as the parasite has severe effects on the developing human foetus. Protozoan disseases are also transmitted through intermediate hosts such as mice. Again, some tapeworms can be transmitted to humans, so do assess the risks to your ferret with your own health in mind too. The expected clinical signs will be influenced by the specific species of roundworms since different species may show slightly different clinical signs. There are various sorts of roundworms common in dogs and cats that could also infect ferrets. Ferrets have been infected experimentally and so have been shown to be susceptible. Treating your ferret for tapeworms should be done promptly and involves a combination of killing the tapeworms and preventing flea infestations. Research source Cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease caused by Cryptosporidium, is also occasionally seen in young ferrets, and can potentially pass between ferrets, puppies and kittens. Also known as nematodes, roundworms are found in different sizes. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. When a predator eats the rodent the cyst releases the eggs in the segments allowing them to mature into adult tapeworms. They can be microscopic, invisible to the naked eye and can also be as long as 20 feet. Other protozoan diseases are possible, but rarely seen. Plus, it’s the only FDA-approved product indicated for ferrets for the treatment of fleas and prevention of heartworm disease. When you notice signs of tapeworm, like weight loss, diarrhea, or vomiting, take your ferret to your vet right away for treatment. This includes knowledge pertaining to ferret husbandry (care, nutrition, housing, and the species' habits). If your ferret is considered high-risk for worms, you should have him screened more than twice a year. This means that your dog can be at risk of picking up worms whenever you head outside. Similar pathways are indicated in other protozoan diseases. Do not use flea collars on your ferret. X Tilt his head backwards. Whether your ferret is likely to get worms depends on his environment, his behaviour and his diet. To treat tapeworms in your ferret, comb its fur regularly with a tooth comb to remove fleas, since ferrets contract tapeworm by swallowing infected fleas. Infection with worms (helminths) is rare, but roundworms can potentially pass between ferrets, puppies and kittens. Use both for comprehensive holistic support. Make sure to bring a sample of its feces with you, which your vet will examine to confirm the diagnosis. Add these copper shavings to his/her food for the next week. This article has been viewed 14,380 times. Prevention. If your ferret is scratching, comb through his fur with a fine-toothed flea comb, which is available at your local pet store. Most non-prescription medications do not work. If your ferret won’t swallow the tablets, talk to your vet about injecting the medication, which will kill the tapeworms. Ascariasis is the most common roundworm infection. The flea bomb is a fogger than contains a flea-killing substance called methoprene. The following are the common symptoms of roundworms in cats: Distress due to severe pain in the abdomen. Many are transmitted through slugs, snails, earthworms and other small creatures that act as intermediate hosts. These include earthworms, slugs, snails, beetles, rodents or birds. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The AVMA recognizes that ferrets are being kept as pets and for research purposes. Avoid making embarrassing mistakes on Zoom! == == Intestinal worms, roundworms are rarely a problem in ferrets. The following symptoms are very common in dogs which have roundworms: Roundworms in dogs normally live in intestines, thus depriving the dog of food nutrients—thus the symptoms of a heavy roundworm infection may include malnutrition like weakness, weight loss, and stunted growth. Ferret parasites. One type of tapeworm is spread by fleas. (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Although your ferret probably stays inside, other pets (or maybe even you!) Roundworms are commonly referred to as ascarids and are the most common parasites found in dogs. Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) are intestinal parasites that occur when an animal swallows a flea carrying tapeworm eggs. TAPEWORMS When a cat eats the infected rat or mouse, the life cycle of the parasite continues. WARNINGS: Do not use on sick or debilitated cats or ferrets. If you don’t take any actions when trying to infect them and do not try to get rid of them, they can cause serious harm - perhaps not only to … Like anything medical or veterinary, things look bad when put down on paper, but a simple routine of worming and flea control, together with good hygiene, will mean the only livestock you are caring for are the ones you want! A wormer for cats and kittens is usually used. Use a kitchen scale to weigh your ferret. Quite simply, not many ferrets are reported with worms, but that doesn't mean they can't or don't get them. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. High-risk ferrets typically live in condensed urban areas and they usually live in a home with more than one pet. Diarrhea, which may contain blood, is the most frequently observed clinical sign in ferrets with intestinal parasites. Its primary host is the cat. The signs of heartworm disease in ferrets are similar to those in dogs, but they develop more rapidly because the ferret’s heart is quite small. Check your ferrets for fleas. If your ferret refuses to swallow the pills, speak with your veterinarian about other ways to get your ferret to take his medicine. If you don’t see the actual fleas, you may see their residue, which is dark black. Anyway, on to the guts of this issue's Back to Basic (every pun intended) - internal parasites. In those states or areas where ferret ownership is legal, the AVMA recommends responsible ferret ownership. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to combat infected fleas with a topical formula, keep reading! Diarrhea with mucus; Constipation These parasites can cause diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and even coughing in these young patients. Symptoms of Roundworms in Dogs. Are roundworms serious? Other Toxocara species exist like Toxocara Cati (which infect cats) and Toxocara Leonina (which is … Do not use on cats less than 9 weeks of age or less than 2 lbs body weight. Coccidiosis is most common in your animals, especially from pet shops or breeding units. Other less commonly diagnosed intestinal parasites include roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, cryptosporidium, and Giardia. Other protozoan diseases are possible, but rarely seen. Roundworms are common. When the larvae enter the muscle fibers you may feel muscle aches and pains, high fever, swelling in the eyes and face, eye infection and rashes. Depending on the severity of your ferret’s flea infestation, you may need to bathe him weekly for several weeks to kill all of the fleas and flea eggs. Infection with worms (helminths) is rare, but roundworms can potentially pass between ferrets, puppies and kittens. The worms can’t stand the reaction of stomach acid and the copper and will evacuate the ferret. Since worms can often go undetected unless adult worms are vomited or passed in faeces, it is probably best to assess the risks to your ferret to decide whether or worm him or not. When he naturally relaxes and yawns, put your fingers in the front or side of his mouth and angle the pill towards the back of his mouth. If I describe some of the worms and how they are contracted, you'll see what I mean. In addition to disinfectant, you will need one or two buckets, a pair of gloves, sponges, and some cleaning towels or paper towels. On the whole, the prescription wormers are much more effective than over-the-counter ones. They are most commonly found in puppies but can also affect adult dogs. Bring a sample of the tapeworm-containing feces to your veterinarian when you bring your ferret in. Another type of tapeworm does not have the flea as an intermediate host. Signs of Worms in Ferrets. Your ferret cannot get tapeworms through a fleabite. This can happen even if your puppy’s mother had roundworms in the past. Infection with worms (helminths) is rare, but roundworms can potentially pass between ferrets, puppies and kittens. While one type of roundworm (Toxascara leonina) is dangerous only to cats, the other type (Toxocara cati) can cause health problems in humans, too. 1 There are basically 4 species of roundworms that can affect dogs and/or cats: Toxocara canis, Toxocara leonine, Toxocara cati, and Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm). Cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease caused by Cryptosporidium, is also occasionally seen in young ferrets, and can potentially pass between ferrets, puppies and kittens. Their bodies are hollow with their intestines running throughout. If I describe some of the worms and how they are contracted, you'll see what I mean. There are 38 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Whipworm. Tapeworms are the most common type of intestinal worm in ferrets. Promote health naturally for symptoms of roundworms in cats. Abnormal stool, which might have the worms. This article has been viewed 14,380 times. Some symptoms that your ferret might have worms: dry, brittle fur; bloating; ferrets that have worms appear to be skinny, but bloated around the middle. While dogs may not show symptoms until they have many worms infecting their hearts, lungs and blood vessels, just one worm can cause serious respiratory distress in a ferret. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. ROUNDWORMS There are various sorts of roundworms common in dogs and cats that could also infect ferrets. When that animal grooms and bites at or swallows the flea, the tapeworm eggs are released and go on to develop into mature worms. Other worms are less common in this country but they can occur in ferrets. I Dr Jeff Lewis, a parasitologist, tells us how to make sure our ferrets are not prey to nasty internal visitors. They can cause severe skin irritation and lead to serious health problems. Flea larvae eat the eggs excreted by the host (usually a cat, dog or fox but occasionally other mammals) and these eggs mature as the flea larvae develop into adult fleas which jump on to a suitable host for them to feed on. 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