Ear mites in ferrets

You need to pay attention to the condition of the ferret’s ears at the stage of choosing a pet. Clean skin of the ears of a ferret is one of the signs of health. But ears, eyes and other vulnerable parts of the body need to be examined daily. Just to make sure your pet is ok. Diseases of ferrets develop rapidly, so the situation must be constantly kept under control. 

About once every two to three weeks, the ears of a ferret, even the most healthy, need to be cleaned of sulfur. The color of sulfur resembles rust or dark honey. For the procedure, you will need cotton pads or sterile wipes, a special gel or lotion for cleaning the ears. It is better to choose these funds under the guidance of a veterinarian and purchase in advance at a veterinary pharmacy. 

Clean only the skin and folds of the outer ear. Do not try to get into the ear canal.

If you use drops, you need to drop them into the ferret’s ear and wait a little – the earwax should soften. Gently massage the ears, release the animal, let it shake its head enough. After a few minutes, gently bend the auricle with your fingers and blot the skin folds with a cotton pad or sterile napkin. 

For each ear, you need to use a separate clean cloth or cotton pad.

When using the gel, simply apply it to a cotton pad and start the procedure. Be careful, the skin of the auricle is very sensitive.

If ferrets get ear mites, symptoms appear fairly quickly. Your ward feels an unbearable itch, scratches his ears with his paws.

Look into the ears. If they look very dirty, with black-brown discharge, as if dry earth was poured into the ears, the cause of otodectosis is most likely a disease caused by an ear mite.

In this case, contact your veterinarian immediately. He will scrape secretions from the ears of the ferret and examine the material under a microscope. This will enable an accurate diagnosis. A veterinarian determines the degree of infection and prescribes treatment. If you strictly follow the instructions of the veterinarian, you will quickly save your pet from misfortune.

• If your doctor prescribes ear mite drops, you should thoroughly clean your ferret’s ears before using the medication. This is a guarantee that the drug will definitely get inside the auricle and work. Make sure that the drops do not get on the pet’s coat. And if they do get in, wash them off thoroughly. Otherwise, the pet runs the risk of poisoning when it starts to lick the fur.

• Drops on the withers – a very convenient and effective remedy for ear mites. They contain active ingredients from ecto- and even endoparasites, depending on the manufacturer. Separately, the package should indicate that the drug is effective against otodectosis. Obvious relief after the use of high-quality drops comes in a couple of days. 

A responsible owner with his pet will definitely visit a veterinarian and show the results of the treatment. In severe rare cases, continued treatment will be required, a change in the tactics of struggle. But a return visit is essential!

Where can ear mites come from in a ferret and how can you protect your pet from this scourge? The main thing is to follow the rules of care. 

A ferret can become infected with ear mites from already sick pets – dogs, cats, and other ferrets. Even a fleeting conversation on a walk is a threat. If several representatives of the fauna live in your home, then one infected pet can infect the rest. For example, a ferret will decide to lie on the couch of a cat that has an ear mite. Infection can occur through personal belongings, hygiene items, grooming tools. That is why each pet must be individual.

Stray cats or dogs often suffer from ear mites. Therefore, there is always a danger of accidentally bringing a tick into the house, for example, on street shoes. 

Wash your hands thoroughly after petting someone else’s pet. It may become infected, and then you can bring the ticks home with your hands or gloves.

At risk are young individuals who have not yet formed sufficiently strong immunity, as well as weakened pets.

But there is also good news. The ear mites are only 0,3-0,4 mm in size. Outside the pet’s ear, he will last a maximum of three weeks. Regular airing and wet cleaning will help eradicate the threat even faster. For humans, this ectoparasite does not pose such a danger as for animals. But after caring for a sick pet, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly.

It is best to take as a rule regular preventive treatment from ecto- and endoparasites. It can be one remedy at the withers or 2 separate ones.

Be sure to follow the vaccination schedule. This is especially important if your ward walks not only around the apartment, but also along the street. Before walking a ferret, first vaccinate it against infectious diseases and rabies. 

We hope that our recommendations will help you quickly navigate if your pet is unwell. We wish your ferret to be always healthy and happy!