Yes, Anne, I have heard of terrible infections secondary to earmites,
even of one who had a secondary fungal infection eat through the auditory
bulla (the boney bubble that contains the ear structures) and into the
brain itself with the ferret then becoming violent and soon dying.
 
There likely is no way around cleaning that little one's ears because
something like Tresaderm (unless your vet feels it is counterindicated)
will be needed to be used but that needs the ear as clean as possible
before it is put in to work.  Meanwhile, though you need to reduce the
contribution of the earmites by treating all with one of the meds that
can help control those.
 
I suggest reading up in the assorted archives, esp.  from vet posts.
There is at least one I recall from the FML Archives but for some reason
can't find today; I know I am blocking on some word combo.  You may have
better luck.  I did find these for you, though:
 
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG7639
>Sounds like you have either ear mites still or an ear infection still.
>Time to recheck the ears for mites.  If they are still there then
>continue with ivomec injections or use Revolution or Milbemite etc, to
>treat the ear mites.  If the mites are gone then it is time to use an
>ear drop such as Tresaderm, or Baytril to clear up the ear infection.
>Of corse it is possible to have both ear mites AND an ear infection at
>the same time.  Then you will need to use an ear drop and an ear mite
>medication to treat both problems!
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM
 
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG7615
>I usu don't use injections by themselves for 2 reasons, one this means
>the ears aren't geting cleaned, two there is nothing to help prevent the
>itching or inflamtion.  I still prefer to use an injection, clean the
>ears well and then use tresaderm once daily.  This kills the mites has
>an antiinflammatory agent and an antibiotic in it.  I think the
>combination also helps to reduce the wax accumulation over time.  I
>also wonder with them still scratching if the mites are really gone
>especially since the mites stimulate the wax production and hid in it
>as do their eggs.  I think on average ferrets tend to have dirtier ears
>in general over other animals but it should not be as bad as you are
>discribing.  What are you using to clean the ears?
>
>Dr. Sue
 
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG2670
>If it is just a yeast infection without any bacteria then using a
>different ear medication may be safer.  Conofite or other miconazole
>drops can be used.  Also Lotrimin or other clotrimazole drops can be
>used.  Tresaderm or the new Baytril drops can also be used for mild
>yeast infection.  The other big thing is to clean the wax out of the
>ears daily.  Yeast need the wax to survive.  Yes you can use Otomax,
>but as Dr Williams pointed out the antibiotic in it (gentocin) as some
>risk to it.
 
and more...
Oh, found some good ones:
http://listserv.cuny.edu/Scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind9901&L=FERRET-SEARCH&P=R12148
http://listserv.cuny.edu/Scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind9809&L=FERRET-SEARCH&P=R23793
http://listserv.cuny.edu/Scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind9804&L=FERRET-SEARCH&P=R11359
and more if you search on Tresaderm
 
-- Sukie (not a vet)
Ferret Health List
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 4947]