Good question about topical ointments that are safe enough for ferret
use.
 
Yes, plain Bacitracin zinc ointment is safe.
 
Polysporin ointment contains 2 antibiotics (bacitracin and polymyxin B
sulfate) and is also safe.
 
Neosporin contains 3 antibiotics (bacitracin, polymycin, and neomycin).
The neomycin is a potential problem; however, the ferret would have to
ingest a lot if it before there is kidney damage.
 
Baytril otic can also be used topically.
 
Steriods can be used topically and are usually safe if ingested.
Remember pred is a steriod that we use orally and for a long time in
ferrets with insulinoma, IBD, and lymphoma.  However in your case (with
an infection and pus) you would not want to use a topical steriod.
 
As others suggested a recheck and debridement may be needed.
 
Now to clear up the aminoglycoside antibiotic(gentomicin, neomycin,
streptomycin, amikacin, tobramycin,and kanamycin) questions.  You can
add Amikacin and Tobramycin to that list of aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Tobramycin can be used for eye drops, but you do not want to use Amikacin
or Tobramycin by injection unless there is no other choice.  In general,
aminoglycoside antibiotics are used for gram negative bacterial infection
(ie E. coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas,etc).  Ferrets seem to be prone to
kidney (and hearing) damage when amino- glycosides are used.  Dehydration
{and/or using a cephalosporin (Cefa drops, Keflex drops)} will increase
the risk of kidney damage, so you do not want to use aminoglycosides for
cases of ECE.
 
In ferrets, we generally use Baytril (enrofloxacin), a fluoroquinolone
antibiotic, for gram negative bacteria.  Another choice would be Cipro
(ciprofloxacin).
 
Plus there are 3 other veterinary fluoroquinolone antibiotics.  Now there
is one aminoglycoside that is safe to use orally.  It is Kanamycin, and
it is in Amforol.  Fortunately Kanamycin is not absorbed from the GI
tract, so it does not do any damage to the kidneys.  Thus Amforol can be
used safely in cases of ECE with dehydration.
 
Hope that clears up the confusion,
Jerry Murray, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 4675]