>From:    "E.M." <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Deaf Ferrets and Food Digging
>
>... I have an idea on deaf ferrets and food digging. Mind you,
>the only research I have to back up this idea is my own personal
>experience with deaf ferrets....and I have had a few.

Hi E. M.

You write that you've had a *few* deaf ferrets. Looks like you may be
a valuable resource on the subject of deafness in ferrets. So I'd like
to ask you a few questions.

1.) How do or did you know the ferret(s) was really deaf?

2.) Please tell us what about the behavior of the ferret indicated
that he was deaf?

3.) What can we do to confirm deafness and be certain that everything
else is ruled out?

4.) Please describe in detail how you clean your ferret's ears.

5.) How do you know the ferret's ears are clean down to the tympanic
membrane, the ear drum, or so it's sometimes called?

6.) I would appreciate your telling us just how the trashing of food
is related to deafness. I don't understand the connection.

6.) How does a vet confirm deafness in ferrets - anybody know?

NOTE: I ask this question because I have dissected out the ear canals
in ferrets. The ear canal is about 3/4 inch long, curved, and is less
than 1/8th inch diameter. How to illuminate and get a probe down to
the tympanic membrane must be a difficult job, or so it would appear.

Thank you for your consideration. If anybody else can provide some
input here, that'd be great.

Edward Lipinski Not on the right side of the bell shaped curve on this
one . . . are you - anybody?

[Posted in FML 6218]