Demodicosis in Ferrets (Mustela Putorius Furo)

March 1996 in “ Veterinary Quarterly ”

Chiara Noli, Hetwig H. A. Van der Horst, Ton Willemse

demodicosis alopecia pruritus glucocorticoid ointment Demodex spp. amitraz skin scrapings biopsies hair loss itching steroid ointment Demodex mites

TLDR Amitraz effectively treated ferrets with demodicosis without side effects.

This report described the clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of demodicosis in ferrets, specifically in two ferrets with local alopecia and pruritus following glucocorticoid ointment use for ear mite infections. Skin scrapings and biopsies identified adult mites and larvae of Demodex spp. Treatment with amitraz was effective and had no noticeable side effects. This was the first documented case of demodicosis in ferrets.

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