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Author wrote:
>Interestingly enough many of my ferrets tails are suddenly thin (in
>fur). Two are getting rat tail. I thought of the earmite theory with the
>tails. I see no signs of ear mites, but I have not had them to a vet to
>check yet.  They are currently on 1cc/lb of Ivermetin solution orally a
>month for prevention of heartworm.  I had thought this prevents ear mites
>as well.  Does it?  If they did have ear mites, would it not be treated
>with this ivec itself?  I'm asking because the one time we did have ear
>mites, our vet treated with Revolution.
 
Aha - the old ear mites on the tail theory.  Yes, this can rarely happen
with cats, but it has never been demonstrated with ferrets.  I've never
seen an ear mite anywhere but on the ears.  Ferrets also have demodectic
mites, and can even get sarcoptic mites, but disease would be obvious in
these animals.
 
Yes, ear mites can be seen on a simple microscope - you can see them
easily with a 4x objective - and if you've never done it, it's a great
show!  Here's how to do it:
 
Get a ferret with dirty ears - a new introduction or pet store kit is
usually fine, a small amount of mineral oil, and a q-tip.
 
Put a drop of mineral oil on the slide, then get a good deep swab of the
ear - get some of that dark brown wax.  Mush it around in the mineral oil
drop on the slide.
 
Then look at it under the 4x objective (which will be 40x magnification).
Look for movement - the first time you see them it'll scare you!  You can
also probably see eggs if they are there.
 
Don't worry, they look much nastier than they really are, but I'm glad
that they are much much smaller than me.
 
Ear mite diagnosis is not something that takes a vet, if you have access
to a microscope.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3910]