Dear Alesia:

Ferrets do get fleas, as you know, even if they never go outside! Somehow those little buggers find the fuzzies!

The best treatment for fleas is a product called Revolution. Use the zero-to-five pound size (the same dosage for puppies and kittens). Once a month, apply topically to the back of the neck, just behind their head where they can't get to it and lick it off. Do not bathe ferrets within 24 hours of application.

Revolution also kills ear mites, which is a serious issue for ferrets. Ear mites, left untreated, can cause deafness, vertigo and other problems. Clean your ferret's ears once a week with solution purchased from the pet store or from your vet. Opti-Rinse is a good product that your vet should have or be able to get. The weekly cleaning plus the monthly Revolution will banish ear mites.

Bathe the ferrets no more than once a month. Any more frequent bathing will dry out their skin too much.

You should be able to eradicate the fleas (and ear mites, if they have them, which most ferrets do) if you do the following:

Once a week:

• clean ears

Once a month:

• full bath
• wash all cage bedding
• apply Revolution

Revolution and Opti-Rinse are sold by most veterinarians.  You can also order these products from some places on the internet, but you usually must fax a copy of your veterinarian's prescription for Revolution when placing the internet order.

Best of luck!
The FerretLady

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