DEMODICOSIS IN FERRETS (MUSTELA-PUTORIUS-FURO)

This report describes the clinical signs, diagnosis, and therapy of de modicosis in ferrets. Two ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) were present ed with a history of local alopecia and pruritus after repeated treatm ent with a glucocorticoid-containing ointment for recurrent ear mite i nfections. Skin scrapings and biopsies revealed adult mites and larvae of Demodex spp., which were measured according to current classificat ion techniques. Treatment with amitraz was effective and did not cause noticeable side effects. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of demodicosis in ferrets.