Do ferrets get fleas?

[Thistle]

collected the ferrets today. They seem to be scratching alot. Do they get fleas? If so how do you treat them?

The female seems a bit unsettled and keeps attacking the male, they are supposed to be friends and were in together at the rescue. She is also biting when handled, hopefully she will settle down. ATM she is actively trying to bite fingers even when loose in the run, like when you go in to do something else.

How can we stop her. I guess the answer is to keep handling her.

They are now called Thor and Loki, guess which is which.

 

[CSYMolly]

I think they can get fleas but they are more likely scratching due to moulting, mine are moutling like crazy. My albino also get mites which makes him scratch a lot but that is usually end of the summer, if you pull the hair back you can see tiny black dots, he gets it mostly on his tail.
As for the biting she might be in season I think hormones can cause this behavour or is she spayed? My boys go through stages of pulling each other about by the neck or head.
For the biting, mine bit a lot when we first got them as they weren't handled very much, they thought ankles and toes were chunks of meat, it was quite painful at times we couldn't have bare feet around them for ages. Best and hardest advice to follow is to not pull away, grab by the scruff of the neck as that makes them let go. They will get better with time mine are perfect gentlemen now.

 

[Thistle]

Thanks.

I had a good look today, they def have fleas, I am going to ring the vet and see if I can use frontline on them.

She is not in season as she has been with a vasectomised hob and seems to be a bit calmer already. I guess she was really stressed by the move. The kids will handle her wearing gloves for a while, we found the scruff grabbing worked yesterday. At least she is not looking to bite today, she is just a more sensitive type.

I was really against the idea of ferrets but they are great fun and I am getting to like them already.

 

[Klaudette]

They do get fleas. Yes, you can use frontline. It is not licensed for use. However, is very safe and the manufacturers can provide your vet with a dose rate for the spray (dont use the spot on). I've prescribed it regularly and have had no reports of any problems.

 

[CSYMolly]

Yes you can use frontline, the lady I got mine from sprayed them for me when I got them and again when they went to stay for holiday. Luckily mine have never gotten fleas though. Hopefully the biting will settle she is probably just a little unsettled as you said.
They are great fun I love mine to bits.