Courtesy of Lara Malikoff.

"I'm sure by now the vast majority of you are aware that using essential oils on or around ferrets is not recommended and can actually be dangerous. However, I am aware that some people actively promote the use of essential oils to others, claiming they are not only beneficial to general well being but also able to cure and prevent disease and/or alleviate symptoms.

I'm concerned that harm is going to come to the ferrets belonging to the ferrants who may choose to follow the "advice" that EO'S are safe. It won't be now, or even the near future, but in time the damage may become evident. That is frightening to me, and tragic given it's completely avoidable.

So. Why exactly are essential oils not good to use on or around ferts? What makes their use potentially dangerous, why can they be harmful? It's a bit complicated, but I'll try explain as simply as I can by breaking it down:

* Essential oils contain high levels of phenols.

* Phenols are a chemical compound made up of a hydroxyl group bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. They are the source of the aroma, the scent.

* Phenols are metabolized through a process called glucuronidation. In this process, glucuronic acid is attached to one of a number of different substances thereby enabling the body to eliminate it.

* UDP—glucuronosyltransferases are the enzymes behind and responsible for the glucuronidation process.

* Ferts are deficient in the glucuronidation pathway. This means that certain substances (such as phenols) are metabolized and eliminated very slowly and inefficiently.

* Instead of being quickly metabolized and eliminated, these compounds remain in the body for some time and with repeated frequent use they can build up over time leading to liver damage and/or failure.

A main theory behind the cause of this deficiency in the glucuronidation pathway in ferts is due to the fact that they are obligate carnivores, resulting in a lack of exposure to plant-based toxins (phytoalexins) which renders the ability to have these toxins removed via glucuronidation useless and unnecessary.

Those individuals who claim using essential oils on and around ferrets is safe try to back up those claims using just one study involving only 8 ferts, and the word of a holistic/naturopathic vet - who happens to profit from the sale of essentials oils. I have had this information I am sharing with you reviewed and approved by a ferret knowledgeable and experienced, practicing and fully qualified vet - who does not hold a financial stake or incentive. All the study actually outlines and confirms is that ferts metabolize certain compounds including phenols very slowly and inefficiantly. Not because they completely lack the hepatic enzyme UDP-glucuronosyltransferase as cats do, (in fact the exact cause of this glucuronidation pathway deficiency in in ferts is not currently known), but rather, that despite possessing the enzyme, metabolization times and low activity levels are still apparent. That is literally ALL that is relevant!

My thoughts which I'd like to pose to you all, are these. Given the lack of solid evidence supporting any real or tangible benefits to the use of essential oils in ferts, combined with the lack of studies done on the long term effects of their use, as well as the indisputable facts which we are already aware of and I have explained now which clearly indicate they should be avoided, is it really worth it?? Can you justify the risks? Does the perceived benefit of real or tangible benefits to the use of essential oils in ferts, combined with the lack of studies done on the long term effects of their use, as well as the indisputable facts which we are already aware of and I have explained now which clearly indicate they should be avoided, is it really worth it?? Can you justify the risks? Does the perceived benefit of the oils outweigh the probability of actual harm? Please ask if there's anything you're unsure of, and please, don't use essential oils, it‘s just not worth it."

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/

By Tara Lea Preston

Please do NOT put Bacitracin (or any product containing Bacitracin) on your ferret’s wounds. Bacitracin is poisonous when ingested by ferrets and may cause death. Many wound treatment topicals (including Neosporin contain Bacitracin - so read labels carefully). ALWAYS consult with an exotic vet that is well versed in treating ferrets before applying any medications to your ferret. Here is a public service aouncement about Bacitracin by the Ferret Association of Connecticut (F.A.C.T):

Bacitracin and Ferrets

Bacitracin (First Aid Ointment) Health Alert

By L. Vanessa Gruden in Paw Printz, July – August, 2001

FACT recently saw a tragic end for a new Foster ferret. Moved into a Foster home, he was under stress and having difficulty integrating with the family’s existing ferrets. We believe he may not have been eating well, also, either due to the stress or due to the effects of ECE.

The Foster ferret had a small scrape on his back end, and the caretaker put Bacitracin ointment on it to promote healing. Bacitracin is poisonous if ingested, and the little guy died as a result.

We only discovered this after some research and investigation. While medical sites on the internet list many symptoms of allergic reaction to overuse of Bacitracin, it took a little more searching to discover that some sites went further and warned that if this common ointment was ingested, a Poison Control Center should be contacted immediately. After checking out the labels on a package of this product, we found that the label does clearly state that Bacitracin should not be eaten and if it is, medical attention should be sought out.

Bacitracin is not only a product name, but an ingredient in many other over-the-counter first aid ointments. It is so commonly used in many households and so innocuous-seeming, many people would not think twice about putting on their animal. And while a very healthy ferret might have only become ill, in this case it was fatal.

ALL PETS WILL LICK OFF ANY PRODUCT PUT ON THEIR SKIN.

Please! Read ALL labels carefully before using ANY product on your pets! You can assume that any product that is unsafe for human ingestion is unsafe for your pets, too. Many other products that may be perfectly safe for humans will be deadly to animals—aspirin is a good example. If your vet recommends using a human over-the-counter product for a specific illness, try to obtain an infant formula if at all possible. Human infants also stick everything into their mouths and infant products will at least be safer.

Let this sad end for our little friend not be in vain, at least, and be very, very careful about any medicine you use on your ferret. Their life may be at stake.

Link to full original web article here