Naturopathic Treatments For Ferrets

Q: Do you have any idea if naturopathic treatments are bad for ferrets? My ferret has a cold, and I wondered if I could use Vicks or use saltwater nose drops — stuff like that.
 
A: I would not recommend using any treatment on ferrets that is produced for use in people unless that treatment is specifically recommended by your veterinarian. Even products that appear very safe in people, such as saltwater nose drops, could cause an unexpected reaction in ferrets. Saltwater nose drops seem simple, but what if there are preservatives in the solution that can cause a reaction in ferrets?

I have seen too many supposedly “benign” treatments for people used in ferrets only to have that ferret end up in the hospital with a severe reaction.