fleas on my ferret and other pet

Question
i just got a new ferret and his name is Spaz i had for i think little under a month. At first i noticed my little dashound mix was iching alot and i began to actually see fleas on him and today i gave my ferret a bath and saw alot of them on him.What is the cheapest rout to get rid of them?

Answer
Hello Kiesha, thank you for asking!

Ferrets can certainly get fleas, and since they have a higher body temperature than cats and dogs, they are the preferred food source.  This is why I am not surprised to hear you see more of them on Spaz than your dog.   You do want to seek treatment ASAP because ferrets are small can can become easily anemic from the loss of blood.  They can also contract nasty little parasites from fleas, such as tapeworms.  

As far as what you can do about the fleas, there are several things you could do.  The most important thing to remember is that Pyrethrin should be the ONLY active ingredient used in ferrets.  DO NOT use any product that contains organophosphates, carbamates or petroleum distillates.  Never use dips, sprays, powders or flea collars on ferrets.  These can be VERY harmful to your ferret or fatal!

The best method is to go to your veterinarian and pick up some topical flea medication.  You can use a product called Revolution for puppies/kittens UNDER 5 lbs for your ferret.  A half of a tube is perfect.  DO NOT use Advantix or Frontline or any medication unless specified by your vet.  I know this may seem more expensive then buying products from the pet store, but it is much safer to go this route.  Otherwise, there is the possibility your pets could end up in an Animal ER and you would end up sending literally THOUSANDS of dollars.  Yes, I have seen this happen multiple times!  This is why I never recommend any over the counter medication for any pet.  

Remember that flea treatment is just as important in the environment as on the pet!  Make sure to wash all bedding in hot water and vacuum SEVERAL TIMES to remove any remaining eggs or fleas. Flea bombs are another choice, but make sure you remove your ferrets from the premises for at least 24 hrs afterwards.

I hope this helps and your home is soon bug-free!  If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask.  If you have any specific questions regarding certain flea treatments, it is ALWAYS the best idea to contact your veterinarian.  

-Cindy P.