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]