3 Ways to Treat External Parasites in Ferrets (2024)

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Co-authored byLauren Baker, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: June 15, 2021References

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   Take your ferret to the vet. If your pet has external parasites, only the vet will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment based on your ferret’s health, weight, and other factors. Even if your ferret doesn’t have external parasites, it might have some other medical condition that’s causing skin irritation or similar symptoms. Schedule an appointment with your vet to help your ferret get well.

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   Get rid of fleas, ticks, and mites using fipronil or selamectin. These medications are insecticides. To apply a fipronil spray, part your ferret’s fur with one hand, then spray the product directly on the irritated areas of your pet’s skin. If you’re using pipettes of fipronil or selamectin, snap or twist off the end. Place the open end between your pet’s shoulder blades, then squeeze the contents onto your ferret’s skin.^[1]

   • Keep in mind that the dosage may be different depending on the formulation that you use. Different formulations of these insecticides will contain different concentrations of the active ingredients. Check with your veterinarian to be sure that you are giving the correct dose and that it is acceptable to use this medication on your ferret.
   • It’s okay if your ferret gets some fipronil on its fur.
   • Don’t bathe your pet during the 48 hours before or after applying the medication. This will allow the medication to get into the glands of your ferret’s skin.
   • The number of times you’ll need to treat your ferret depends on the severity of its condition, but most medications require a monthly application.
   • Fipronil is available commercially as Frontline and selamectin is available commercially as Revolution.
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   Give your ferret ivermectin if it has mange. Mange (also known as scabies or sarcoptic mange) is a skin disease caused by mite infestations. Ivermectin treatments come in two types, oral and injectable.^[2]

   • Ivermectin injections require you to visit your vet once a week for two to three weeks. Your vet will administer an ivermectin shot to help your ferret recover.^[3]
   • Oral ivermectin is available as a liquid that you simply drop into your ferret’s water.
   • Your vet will decide the amount of ivermectin your ferret requires and the length of the treatment period.
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   See Also

   How do I Care for a Ferret?How To Keep Ferrets as Pets - Everything You Need to Know - Animal DomeHow to Care for a Pet FerretThe Pros and Cons of Having a Pet Ferret

   Use lime sulfur dips. Lime sulfur dips are an alternative treatment for mites and mange in ferrets. They are meant to be used after shampooing your ferret.^[4]

   • Specific directions for use vary depending on the product you use. Generally, you should shampoo your pet, then don gloves to protect your skin and open the windows to ventilate the area.
   • With your ferret still in the tub, pour the lime sulfur dip over its body. To apply the sulfur dip to your ferret’s face, dab a bit onto a sponge. Carefully rub it over your ferret’s face, avoiding the eyes and nose.
   • Sulfur dip treatments might require daily or semi-daily use.
   • You’ll likely need to use sulfur dips on your ferret for about six weeks.
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   Pull ticks out using tweezers. If you see a tick on your ferret, grip it gently but firmly using tweezers. Pull it straight out of your ferret. Don’t squeeze too hard or you might separate that tick’s head from its body, which could lead to infection in your ferret.

   • If you doubt your ability to extract the tick lodged in your ferret, take your pet directly to the vet.
   • You can identify ticks by looking for a small, bulbous insect with several legs sticking out of your ferret’s skin.
   • Once you’ve removed the tick, place it in a jar filled partway with rubbing alcohol, then pour it down the drain after five minutes or so.
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   Treat your ferret’s secondary conditions. In addition to ridding your ferret of ticks, mites, or other external parasites, you’ll also need to deal with complications that arise due to the infestation. For instance, you might need to administer corticosteroids in order to reduce your ferret’s inflammation and itching.^[5]

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   Change or launder all of your ferret’s bedding. If your ferret sleeps in a plush pet bed, wash it in hot water. If your ferret’s habitat is filled with disposable substrate, just throw the substrate out and replace it with fresh substrate.^[6]

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   Vacuum the floors. Vacuuming will ensure that most of the fleas and flea eggs are gone. Use your vacuum’s extension to get those hard-to-reach spots beneath furniture and in corners.^[7]

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   Use flea and tick sprays to get rid of fleas. Flea and tick sprays are aerosolized insecticides that will allow you to kill any adult fleas and eggs that might have escaped the vacuum. Specific directions for use vary depending on the product you’re using.^[8]

   • Generally, you should shake the can and aim the actuator at the floor. Hold the can about one meter (one yard) above the floor and move to the corner furthest from the exit. Depress the spray button and, moving toward the room’s exit, apply a uniform coat to the floor using a sweeping motion.
   • Before getting started, open the windows to ventilate the area.
   • Sprays allow more control and accuracy than flea/tick bombs, which spray everywhere.
   • If you continue to notice external parasites, re-apply flea and tick sprays as needed.
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   Have your other pets and household members checked for external parasites. Some external parasites like fleas and ticks will not only attack ferrets, but people and other pets, too. If your ferret needs to be treated for external parasites, ask your vet if you should be worried about your own health or that of other family members (including pets), and what actions you need to take to protect yourself.^[9]

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   Look for dark specks in your ferret’s fur. These dark specks could indicate the presence of fleas. Take one of these specks and place it on a white paper towel. Add a drop of water. If it dissolves and turns red or rust colored, your ferret has fleas.^[10]

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   Check for excessive scratching. If you notice your ferret vigorously and excessively scratching itself, it might be suffering from fleas, ticks, or another external parasite.

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   Look for irritation of the skin. As a result of scratching, your ferret might develop sores or wounds on its skin. Some external parasites, additionally, cause small red or yellow pustules to develop on the skin. Part your ferret’s fur if you notice other potential signs that external parasites are present.^[11]

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   Check your ferret’s feet for swelling, redness, and pain. In some cases, mites cause a condition known as “foot rot.” If your ferret seems to be limping and/or has a swollen or visibly irritated paw, it may be due to mites.^[12]

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   Monitor your ferret’s behavior. Some flea or tick infestations can cause anemia, a medical condition that saps energy. If your ferret seems lethargic or less lively than usual, it might be due to external parasites. Flea bites might also cause your ferret to eat less or become temperamental.^[13]

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   Check your ferret’s gums. Your ferret’s gums should be pink. If they’re pale, your ferret could have an external parasite infestation.

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   Look for fur loss on your ferret. Sometimes, fleas or ticks cause so much irritation that your ferret scratches some of its own fur off. Be on the lookout for either bald patches on your ferret or for clumps of loose fur inside your ferret’s habitat.

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