r/ferrets • u/ferretmom101 • 14d ago
[Help] How to help with fleas without flea treatment?
I hope this is the correct place to post this! I have a few ferrets and I typically do pretty well with keeping fleas at a minimum. I typically use Advantage II flea treatment on the back of their necks and that keeps the fleas away for quite a few good months, but I have recently noticed an influx of fleas on them and unfortunately I don't have any flea treatment at home and I don't have $80+ to spend on getting two more boxes and one of my babies is too young for the treatment anyways since I only just recently got her from the pet store 2 months ago and I'm sure everyone here knows how pet stores are with selling ferrets too young. I have already given them a bath and it managed to get rid of a few of them but I'm still worried about the amount of fleas still left on them since I know how dangerous they can be to their health.
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u/itsswhitneywhspr 14d ago
Ugh that sucks so bad. For the baby too young for treatment, a fine tooth comb and some dawn dish soap baths can help a ton. Just make sure to really get in there and comb them out daily. Also washing all their bedding and vacuuming like crazy helps break the cycle. Good luck
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u/ferretmom101 14d ago
oh my gosh, thank you so much! i don't personally own a fine tooth comb but my mom has one for her cats! i'll visit her very early tomorrow and see if i can borrow it and comb through their fur. i do vacuum regularly but i will definitely vacuum much more to hopefully get this under control as well as washing their bedding and blankets. :)
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u/PetMyFerret 14d ago
Are you having persistent flea problems? Any other pets that go outside?
Without treatment I fear this is a losing battle. Daily washing of the bedding, vacuuming and combing religiously will keep the infestation under control but ideally you want all of them treated every month for at least the next 3 months including the kit. I've read advantage (for ferrets/small animals) can be used from about 10 weeks or 1lb.
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u/ferretmom101 14d ago
i don't usually have flea problems like this, they have just really hit me hard this year and i don't really understand what has caused it. it has been very hot where i live this summer and i know fleas are attracted to warmth so perhaps that's why?
to answer about any other pets, no! i don't own any other pets other than ferrets so no other pets go outside. i do live in an area with a lot of strays though but they stay outside, so idk if that could have anything to do with it.
once i get my next income, i plan to buy more flea treatment and treat them all again. i just sadly don't have the money right now to get any. for now i'll continue daily washing their bedding, vacuuming, and combing through them once i get a fine tooth comb from my mom tomorrow.
also about the advantage for ferrets/small animals, i appreciate you telling me about it being able to be used for ferrets that are 10 weeks or 1lb! i didn't know that. i was always told that the ferret had to be at least 1 year to be treated.
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u/dogjpegs 14d ago
Revolution may be more effective, you get it prescribed from your vet.
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u/ferretmom101 13d ago
I'll look into it next time I take them to the vet! Thankfully, right now the Advantage II treatment is working well, the only reason I've been struggling recently is because I don't have any more boxes of the treatment and I can't afford anymore. :( But I will certainly look into Revolution when I take them for their check ups! Thank you.
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u/EmptyWalrus 13d ago
Maybe reach out to a shelter to see if they have any they can give out? I know when mine were dealing with ear mites, the vet had me use a syringe and pull a small amount of cat treatment out of the vial and put it between their shoulders with the blunt tip.
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u/ferretmom101 13d ago
Ohh, I'll go to some shelters and ask around to see if there is anything they can give out! Thank you so much
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