Ferrets can also harbor heartworms. Fortunately, there are protective measures that can be undertaken to protect pet ferrets from the same species of heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) that live in the heart of dogs, cats, sea lions, to name a few.

Heartworm is a mosquito-borne disease. Mosquitoes can get the heartworm microfilaria as they feed on the blood of infected animals. Pet ferrets can be infected when they are brought outdoors during summer when it’s mosquito season. The infected mosquito passes the infective forms of the heartworm during a blood meal.

Inside the body of ferrets, heartworms occupy the chambers of the heart, impeding the pumping of blood and eventually blood circulation. Without prompt detection and intervention, the heartworm population increases and fill up the heart of the ferrets. The heart becomes overwork as it tries to pump and maintain proper blood circulation, causing it to grow in size which can exert pressure in the chest and adjacent organs.

Ferrets that are heavily infected with heartworms can diet from an enlarged heart and respiratory failure.

Protecting your pet from heartworms should be an important concern that you should discuss with your Anderson, IN veterinarian. Click this link for more information: http://pendletonvet.com/