Hi everyone!
 
Now, I am not a vet, but I did have one ferret that had chronic problems
with his ears.  I think everyone can remember my babbling about Kyle, the
albino ferret that was released to us.  He had what we thought were tumours
in his ear canals, and his ears bled.  A biopsy was done, and it was
determined that the growths were cebaceous in nature, but in order to be
removed, debulking was not our option - only removal of the ear tissue where
the growth had roots would solve his problem.
 
We had his ear canal on his left side completely removed, and his ear was
sewn shut.  Other than the fact he looks sorta lopsided right now (they
shaved his head and neck so he looks like a clown) but once his hair is
grown back, it will be hard to see that his ear on that side isnt normal!
The only thing that the vet needs to be careful about is the nerve that runs
along the side of the face is directly below the ear - if it is severed, the
ferret will lose all feeling and control of those muscles on that side.
Your vet is welcome to call my vet who did the surgery - Dr. Herbert Hulls &
Dr. Peter Fisher at Pet Care Veterinary Hospital - the phone number is (757)
473-0111.  (If BIG wont allow this phone number to be published, it can be
found in the STAR* resource listing at ferret central.  )
 
The surgery took about 1 1/2 hours, and Kyle came through it like a champ!
Good luck with your ferret!
 
Lisa
[Posted in FML issue 1852]