I read with some sadness the difficulties encountered in maintaining ear
health.  Here at Ferrets NorthWest we do a simple act, albeit repeatedly to
keep our ferret's ears clean and if not completely ear mite free, at least
keep the mite population down to low levels, perhaps 0 mites.  I say 0
mites to low levels because reinfestation can recurr very quickly whereupon
one ferret interacts with another.
 
This simple act which is quite inexpensive (keeps shelter costs down)and is
labor intensive initially.  The first few episodes with the ferret are
psychologically stirring for both the ferret and the practicioner.
However, with repetition, this simple act becomes enjoyable to the ferret
and so much easier to perform as the ferret comes to realize pleasure from
the act.
 
Described step-wise, 1,2,3 etc., here's how it goes:
 
1.) Prepare a roll of toilet tissue, a few Q-tips, and remove the cover cap
from the applicator squeeze bottle and the snap-up cap from the Ferretone
FT or other liquid behavior attenuator.
 
2.) After about 5 licks from the FT bottle cap, very firmly grasp the
ferret in a manner that is frequenly termed: scruffing.
 
3.) While maintaining a very, very firm scruff grip with your left hand,
place the ferret on your lap (you're sitting down) left side down, right
ear upward, and start rubbing the ferret's exposed ear with the ball of
your right hand index finger.  Most ferrets will start a scratching
(circular motion) with their rear right (upper) leg, just as though they
themselves were scratching their ear.  Some will squirm with apparent
delight and even utter little vocals of delight.  (Damn!  that's good.)
 
4.) At this point in the procedure, substitute for your finger, the
uncapped, elongate rubber nozzle of the applicator and move it around so
as to simulate the movement of your finger.  Don't squeeze the soft walled
applicator bottle yet, but after a little while squeeze enough to apply
sufficient oil to completely fill the ear canal and all the folds of the
pinna (external ear reflector).  Prepare yourself for a sudden and
surprisingly strong whip of the ferret's head as the ear is filled to
overflowing.  A helper may at this time detract the ferret's attention to
what you're doing by placing the top cap of the FT to the ferret's muzzle.
 
5.) With the ear filled repeat massaging the ferret's ear to the point of
getting rear leg motion again.  Note your finger.  It will likely be quite
brown-black from the oil dissolved ear wax/debris.  Don't remove any excess
oil yet that surrounds the outside ear, but allow the oil to remain in the
fur.
 
6.) Repeat all the above steps for the left ear, leaving the excess oil
smeared all around both ears.
 
7.) Relax and let the ferret down on the floor to run about and do his
thing.
 
8.) Allow about 10 minutes or so, then pick up the ferret and repeat the
first 6 steps.
 
9.) Using the Q-tips smear out the loosened wax folds in the outer ear and
at this time using the toilet paper wipe only the extreme excess oil from
the ferret's head.  Leave plenty of oil on the fur surrounding the ears to
trap the evacuating mites as they crawl out of the ear canal to get air to
breathe.
 
10.) Repeat this entire procedure twice weekly for about 2 or 3 weeks,
depending upon the thickness of the ear wax.
 
11.) Once the ears are clean and pink, then repeat the procedure monthly
thereafter or longer, depending upon the "growth" of ear wax.
 
You should find that the ferret comes to accept this ear irrigation and
some even seem to enjoy it.
 
The wax dissolving and ear mite asphxiating solution is obtained at your
local drugstore.  It is in a soft sided plastic bottle with a 2-inch soft
flexible nozzle with a one-way valve included.  This solution is named
Fleet ready-to-use mineral oil enema with comfortip.  One caution here: be
certain you buy the oil and not the salt solution enema, since the latter
is useless for this specific purpose.
 
I suggest you put the bottle in your underwear to raise it to body
temperature before flooding the ferret's ear.
 
I would be so pleased that you post to the FML your experiences using my
method.  It is inexpensive in $ and cents but labor intensive; however the
labor is offset by the joy both you and your ferret will experience, just
like the mutual joy experienced by feeding your ferrets the low cost,
home-made LUMPS.  (I feel so sorry for that Alaska lady who's paying thru
the nose for her Totally Ferret kibble, when there are other alternatives,
just as healthy if not more so, than feeding commercial food.) So sad,
really.
 
drawdE iksnipiL Voila tout [F.] There that is all; that is the whole of it.
[Posted in FML issue 2571]