My ferret has ear discharge and balance issues. Is a vet needed?

Thanks for reaching out about Naila and including a photo. The exudate from the ear is indicative of possible ear mites, infection or other problems. You are correct in that you need to see a veterinarian. You should indicate you are worried and if they can not help you, seek another veterinarian. Don't think this can wait until next week. Good luck.

Since ferrets can get distemper and also the human flu, I would definitely take Ghost to a veterinarian for an exam. It may just be an upper respiratory infection treatable with antibiotics, however viral diseases must be ruled out. Please take Ghost to a vet for an exam.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It’s hard to say what can be causing Hook’s ear issue without seeing a photo, but discharge can be caused by ear mites or infections. I recommend cleaning the ear with an ear cleaning solution which is commonly available in pet stores and a piece of gauze or cotton pad. I recommend not using a q-tip to avoid trauma. If the ear itself is red or you think it is really bothering Hook, he should be seen by a vet sooner.

Thanks for reaching out about Roo and including photos. Did the veterinarian take an ear swab and look under the microscope for a diagnosis? All ferrets (and cats) need to be treated. If does take some time for animals to respond to the medications, as the Revolution only kills juveniles and adults, not eggs. So need to wait for eggs to hatch, to stop mite cycle. Good luck.

I agree it is difficult to pinpoint what is the problem with Fera. I wonder if she had any episodes of vomiting or weight loss, or has she been sneezing at all ? Any changes in her appetite ? Has she had any blood tests done ? If you can I would recommend to chose to go for further investigations, as the symptoms are quite vague but at the same time we don’t want Fera to become too poorly ! In order to answer your question, a consultation with one of our exotics vet might be your second option, providing as many details as possible would help formulating a differential list of conditions.

Hi there! Based on Nibbles' age and symptoms, I would recommend a vet visit for sure. Although a prolapsed rectum in much younger ferrets can be caused by infectious diarrhea, older ferrets can have other issues that are worth looking into to make sure overall health is good. Some causes for prolapse rectum aside from diarrhea could be constipation, growths inside the colon, or inflammation of the the organs of the urinary tract like the bladder or prostate. Also, be careful of recurrence and watch Nibbles closely to make sure he doesn't chew on himself if it happens again. In the meantime, if give his veterinarian a call and set up an appointment. Best of luck!

This could be due to a viral infection, possibly affecting both respiratory and gastrointestinal system. An immediate check up at your local veterinarian is required as antibiotics are likely to be needed.