>Anyway, the real reason I am writing - is to ask if anyone has a ferret
>who "rubs" their ears/jaws with their paws.
 
That's normal.  There are scent glands there and the ferret is just rubbing
identity smell markers around the face.  If want you can get in on the act
by helping and holding the ferret during it and you'll get scent-rubbed a
lot, too, in the process.  The location is behind the ears near the upper
part of the ramus of the mandible (the "branch" which goes up and for it's
joint location).  That's also one of the reasons they make themselves
sneeze -- especially the sneezes with which they hold their noses -- it
dislodges more of the oily compound.  (And that in turn is one of the
reasons it's so easy to teach them to use a handkerchief which you hold --
which amazes people who are used to dogs and cats.)
 
(You might sometimes see something similar with dirty teeth, or with sore
ears -- but if the ferret is relaxed and not acting in pain it's just
normal scent behavior.)
[Posted in FML issue 2928]