From:
autumn_whispers2me
Date: 2005-01-08 17:58:50 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] itchy
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20935297.1105210761714.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
Hi, Katy:
I've always been told that a ferret, unless they get into something yucky, doesn't
need a bath more than once every 6mos to a year, with most waiting a year. Bathing
them too frequently can actually cause itching. I'm assuming you're giving them
ferretone? This will help if the problem is dryness.
When my guys had ear mites they would do exactly as you described. They would
be asleep one minute, then the next jumping up as if in emergency and scratching
like mad. Ear mites, according to what I've read and what the vet told me, are deep
in the ear canal and chances of us "seeing" them are very slim. Signs of ear mites
can be found just by cleaning their ears, something that should be done on a
regular basis anyway. Excessive ear wax, especially if it's dark in color and has
black flecks in it, are usually signs of ear mites. This is what prompted us to have
them seen and checked by their veterinarian.
Oh, and sometimes when they itch due to mites it's not always by their ears, and
they'll often shake their head real fast like they're trying to shake off water or
something, though this is not always the case. Again, this is what we've observed in
our own fuzzies and what our vet has told us. Personally, I would have your baby
seen by the vet to determine if he/she has mites or not.