Fleas are small, usually dark-colored, wingless insects that affect many different animals, including ferrets. Once it attaches itself to the ferret's skin, it will bite the animal and feed of its blood, causing skin irritations and even anemia. While most ferrets are not overly sensitive to fleas, some may develop allergies. Fleas also reproduce quite quickly, laying batches of eggs on the host, which can then spread to the ferret's habitat or anything it touches. To prevent a flea outbreak in your home or a flea infestation in your ferret, bring the animal to your veterinarian at the first sign of fleas.

 

Symptoms

 

Common symptoms associated with fleas include biting, chewing, scratching or licking the infected area. The ferret will do this in an attempt to dislodge the pesky critters from its body. Another good indicator of fleas is “flea dirt,” or dried blood left behind on the ferret's skin by feeding fleas. Some ferrets develop skin lesions (or papules) that resemble acne, while others develop scabs or hair loss.

 

Anemia is also a problem for a ferret with fleas, especially when there are a lot of fleas on the animal, constantly draining it of blood. Moreover, a ferret may develop a secondary infection if it frequently bites, chews or scratches at an area and breaks the skin. This can lead to a variety of conditions, including, in severe cases, tachycardia -- an abnormally rapid heart rhythm.

 

Causes

 

There are many different flea species, however, those affecting ferrets will depend on the source of the fleas. For instance, ferrets which spend time outdoors may contract the parasite from wild animals, while domestic ferrets will usually contract them from cats (the Ctenocephalides felis species) or from dogs (the Ctenocephalides canis species). There is also a flea species in the southwestern United States which can spread a form of the bubonic plague.

 

Diagnosis

 

Before diagnosing flea infestation, a veterinarian will first rule out other causes for anemia, biting, skin irritations or hair loss. These may include adrenal disease or infestation with mites or other parasitic organisms. But a veterinarian will typically spot fleas or “flea dirt” through a physical examination.

 

 

Treatment

 

Eradicating fleas can be difficult. Currently, the best course of action is bathing the ferret with a flea shampoo. These baths should be done once a week for up to several months, or until there is no sign of adult fleas on your ferret. Topical powders, sprays and creams have also been developed to control flea infestation in ferrets; consult your veterinarian as to what best suits your ferret's situation. If your ferret is suffering from skin irritation or inflammation, a veterinarian may prescribe corticosteroid or anti-inflammatory medication.

 

Living and Management

 

Typically, flea-control products are necessary to help control and eliminate the flea population from your home. In addition, you should clean and disinfect your ferret's habitat or area, including its cage, bedding or anything it might have come in contact with.

 

It is easier to get rid of fleas in northern or colder climates, as the frost keeps the parasites away. Ferret owners in temperate climates, meanwhile, must use flea-control products year-round.