**The advice dispensed by myself in reference to FML postings is not meant
to supplant the advice of veterinarians who are in charge of the patient.
If the patient is not currently under the care of a veterinarian, the client
is recommended to take their ferret to one.**
 
>Date:    Thu, 25 Apr 1996 03:09:57 -0700
>From:    Kelleen & The INSANE 10 <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Doc's & Others PLEASE HELP: EAR MITES!!
>I think I am just about ready to plain give up.  I believe that all of my
>kids have now contracted ear mites!!  This must have come in with
>Rockadoodle or Bobo.  Bobo is the likeliest choice as his ears are horrible
 
I ll e-mail this directly also.
Dirty ears can be due to earmites, but other causes of external ear
infections (bacteria and/or yeast) can also cause it.  Earmites are
contagious whereas bacterial or yeast otitis is not per se.
 
The life cycle of earmites is three weeks long so you need to treat the ears
for three weeks.  Most earmite medications need daily administration
(Tresaderm might be the exception with every other day treatment).  Severe
cases also can have earmites on the fur around the ears and head.  Flea
powders also kill earmites so this should also be considered for the fur.
Mass treatment can be accomplished using ivermectin.  This is extra-label
usage of this medication and the dosing should be discussed with your
veterinarian.
 
>Date:    Thu, 25 Apr 1996 03:09:57 -0700
>From:    Kelleen & The INSANE 10 <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Doc's & Others PLEASE HELP: EAR MITES!!
[Moderator's note: Nah, I don't think this is the right attribution,  BIG]
 
Program (by Ciba) works well for ferrets at the cat dose.  This is an
extra-label use and as such cannot appear on the label.  To have drugs
approved in veterinary medicine for a particular use and no longer be
extra-label, it takes years and around $2-5 million.  The ferret flea market
does not economically support such an expenditure.
 
With Program, you need to treat ALL the pets in the house.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH.
[Posted in FML issue 1552]