What is an alternative for a ferret ear cleaning solution?

Question

there isnt any at our petstore so what could i use instead? also how do i hold him and how far do i go in the ear, do i use a q tip?

Answer 1

Ear cleaning solutions made for kittens and cats are usually safe for ferrets. Peroxide is another alternative in moderation. DO NOT use mineral oil, except as a softening agent for dried earwax. Be sure to clean it out thoroughly and follow with a drying agent or ear cleaner. If left in the ear, mineral oil can encourage the growth of bacteria and possibly cause ear infections. Do not use plain water, either, since water cannot dissolve the earwax, which is an oil-based material.

Pick up your ferret by grabbing his scruff (The loose patch of skin on his neck above his shoulder blades) and hold him up so his feet cannot touch any surfaces. Most ferrets will go limp when this is done properly. Hold the ferret over a table or counter so that if he does wiggle free, or you lose your grip, he won't just fall to the floor! Pour a little ear cleaning solution into a small container, such as a jar lid. Dip the cotton swabs into the solution as needed.

Clean the outer ear first to avoid pushing excess dirt into the ear canal. Use a wet cotton swab first, then a dry one to soak up excess moisture. Repeat as needed using fresh swabs until no more dirt or wax is visible. Use the same procedure for the ear canal using a scooping/ twirling motion to prevent pushing wax deeper into the ears. Do not use the same swabs on both ears - always use fresh ones. This helps prevent the spread of mites or bacteria from ear to ear.

MATERIALS TO USE:

COTTON SWABS: Cotton swabs are the instrument of choice for cleaning ferrets' ears. The ferret's ear canal is shaped like an "L" and as long as you work gently, there is no risk to the ferret's ears.

Answer 2

you can buy ferret ear cleaner at either www.ferret.com or www.1800petmeds.com Both are trusted websites

Answer 3

You could use a kitten ear cleaner. You could also check your vet, they may have some. I got mine at my vets and it's great stuff and smells great.

I use a football type hold. I put their body under my arm with their feet facing my bodyi use my hand to hold their head. My pointer finger is near their eye and i use it to hold the fur back and to keep anything from getting in it's eye. I use my thumb under the ear and slo use it to hold fur our of the way and hold the head still. I drop a few drops into each ear and then thet them play for about a half hour. I pick them back up and using the same hold i use a q-tip to clean the outer area of the ear. Then i drop in a few more drops of the cleaner and let them play. This works for me. Hope it helps.

Answer 4

Not sure about what else you can use. But I clean my Ferrets ears by either having my husband hold them at the scruff of the neck to make them relax or their favorite way is to put a bit of Ferretone on their tummy. While they are laying there l*****g it off I can do anything to them. Usually clip the nails at the same time. You can use q-tips or cotton balls and just do the outsides, don't go too deep into their ears.

Answer 5

use oilve oil or vegetable oil. You scruff him by the neck and do not use a q-tip use cotton balls.