Well, if trouble comes in threes, I'm doomed.
 
Let me say first, that there are very good reasons for my Lizzie not to
have her ears cleaned regularly.  If the other ferrets have dirty ears,
then we check hers.  Otherwise, due to abuse issues, we don't.  She
hasn't been scratching and, up until Tuesday, seemed fine.  A bit
lethargic, but we thought it was because of the heat (we have air
conditioning, but the ferrets still aren't as active as usual)
 
Second, we would love to get another opinion, but we can't afford to see
another vet.  Not that our vet isn't' wonderful, but he is not sure what
to do..  He did say to do what research we could and that he would then
do whatever was recommended including getting us whatever meds we need..
We simply can't get a second opinion because my bank account has been
frozen due to an identity theft issue.  I have no money, I know no-one
one with money and our current vet is willing to wait until the money
issue is straightened out.
 
So....
 
I went to wake up Lizzie Tuesday morning.  She was lethargic and her
head- yes her entire head - was drenched in blood and pus.
 
I rushed her to the vet where *he* freaked and then diagnosed earmites
(I saw them) with an underlying infection.
 
As I said, he and I need help.
 
The symptoms, in no particular order, are:
 
Lethargy. (probably due to the high fever)
 
High, high fever.
 
Will not eat or drink on her own.
 
Blood and pus coming from both ears, one side far worse than the other.
 
Slight swelling of the area below the really bad ear.
 
Has anyone (I'm sure the answer is yes, this is the FML), ever heard of
such an severe infection being caused by mites?  (I want to be sure it
*is* a mite caused infection, not an infection caused by something else
with mites as well.
 
Are there tests he should be doing and how necessary are they?  Meaning,
it is obvious she has an infection, so why should he do a blood test (as
an example)
 
And what should he do?  Doc has started her on Baytril, but there seem
to be little to no improvement.  Is there something else he should be
trying?
 
Can the infection spread beyond her ears?
 
I'm seriously starting to worry she may not make it.
 
anne (beginning to panic)
[Posted in FML issue 4946]