Joe67 239 Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 If you look at your ferrets crap and find worms in it, then your ferrets intestines are so severely perforated and damaged they can no longer cope, as adult worms, designed to spent their life inside the host, are literally falling out of the ferrets arse. The presence of an early worm burden can be determined by a faecal egg count, haven't ever known of a ferret owner to request one though. Ferrets aren't as suceptible to worms as other species are, but feeding raw meat can introduce internal parasites (not just necessarily worms), as can external parasites (i.e flea or tick born infections). Diet, external parasites, time of year, exposure to possible parasitic infestation, management (cleaning of faeces) etc has an influence on parasite/worm burden and therefore the worming/anti-parasite treatment frequency and the type of treatment to use. The majority of animals will have a worm burden, many infestations are small and asymptomatic. However a single heartworm can kill a ferret. Personally, I'm not sure whether it's luck or ignorance, or a combination of both that allows animal owners to go so many years without experiencing a worm problem. My advise would be to register your ferrets with a vet practice with an exotic vet, knowledgable about ferrets and have a chat to them. At least then you will have peace of mind, and if you have any problems they can hopefully sort it out. Atb. Edited to mention, once you have animals registered with a vet practice, a vet call-back/conversation to discuss a query, is not usually charged. Might be worth asking beforehand, but a quick chat on the phone is usually free, unless you abuse the privelege!!! Plus if you take your ferrets in for neutering/vaccs etc, a query about another issue is also FOC, again unless you drag it out! hmmm making me think more about putting in a rabbit for food without freezing it first,good post some times u can read too much joe fair enough,it was worded good and looked the part,hence why it got me thinking. rakeaboot i take it you mean fresh road kills aye,ones you have hit there and then? Quote Link to post
Rake aboot 4,936 Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 Nope!! If it smells OK it probably is ! I`ve eaten plenty and I`ve never had worms either ! ATB Quote Link to post
Joe67 239 Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 Nope!! If it smells OK it probably is ! I`ve eaten plenty and I`ve never had worms either ! ATB ahh, ive only been feeding road kills ive hit,thought it might be abit risky to feed ones lying about,i guess freezing them(any kill) first isnt as important then? how do you know mate,if you wait till there in your crap its probaly to late.. Quote Link to post
The one 8,482 Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 You should only pick up roadkill youve hit yourself as in this heat the meat will start to go off quickly ,Even gutting rabbits etc tape worms might still be found in the meat and freezing it reduces the chance of the ferrets getting worms . But being honest while the dogs lick up the blood etc when were gutting rabbits and they get worms ,ive never seen a ferret with worms Quote Link to post
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