Ivermectin for Ferrets

Pocket Pet · Mustela putorius furo · typical adult weight 0.60–2.00 kg

Ivermectin is dosed at 0.4 mg/kg SC Repeat at 14d in ferrets, per Hillyer EV, Brown SA. Ferrets. In: Birchard SJ, Sherding RG, eds. Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice; WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1994:1317-1344. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.937 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Ferrets). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Ivermectin is used in ferrets for Ear mites / sarcoptic mites. Routes documented in ferrets: SC. A typical adult ferret weighs 0.60–2.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ivermectin in ferrets, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

US trade names: Ivomec, Heartgard

Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle

Tortoise / Turtle: Ivermectin causes fatal toxicosis in chelonians at doses other reptiles tolerateChelonians are far more sensitive than lizards and snakes: doses routine elsewhere in reptile practice have produced paralysis and death in turtles and tortoises. Do not use ivermectin in chelonians; use fenbendazole or another alternative. (The cited study did find 0.05 mg/kg IM tolerated in red-footed tortoises when not repeated inside 7 days, so the hazard is dose- and interval-dependent rather than absolute — but that margin is far too narrow to work to in a clinical setting.)

Dose ranges

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC	0.4 mg/kg	Repeat at 14d	Ear mites / sarcoptic mites	Moderate	Hillyer EV, Brown SA. Ferrets. In: Birchard SJ, Sherding RG, eds. Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice; WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1994:1317-1344. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.937 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Ferrets). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

What each reference text prints

Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.

Printed doses in mg/kg for this drug and species, by source
Dose (mg/kg)	Route	Source	As printed
0.02	PO	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 11.4	0.02 mg/kg PO, SC q30d
0.05	PO	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 11.4	0.05 mg/kg PO q30d until negative testing
0.05–0.3	PO	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 11.4	0.05-0.3 mg/kg PO q24h × 1 mo after negative skin scraping
0.2–0.5	SC	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 11.4	0.2-0.5 mg/kg SC q14d × 3 treatments
0.4

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Mechanism of action

Potentiates glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of parasites.

Side effects & warnings

TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for ferrets may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dose of Ivermectin for Ferrets?

Ivermectin dose range in ferrets, with cited source references: SC 0.4 mg/kg Repeat at 14d. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.

How is Ivermectin administered in Ferrets?

Documented routes for Ivermectin in ferrets: SC.

What conditions does Ivermectin treat in Ferrets?

Ivermectin is indicated in ferrets for: Ear mites / sarcoptic mites.

What are the side effects of Ivermectin in Ferrets?

These are general warnings for Ivermectin across species; consult the ferret dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.

Other Antiparasitic drugs with ferret dosing

Amprolium Fenbendazole Lufenuron Nitazoxanide Piperazine Praziquantel Pyrantel Pamoate Selamectin

Ivermectin dosing in other species

African Pygmy Hedgehogs Chinchillas Degus Dwarf Hamsters Guinea Pigs Mice Pet Rats Prairie Dogs

See all species for Ivermectin See all drugs for Ferrets

Why a species-specific page? Ivermectin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in ferrets — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.