Lumps & Bumps & Get Well Soon!

Question
MY FERRET HAS A POLYP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS NECK HE IS 3 YEARS OLD AND HE DOES GET FREQUENT BATHS I JUST HAD SURGERY ON MY KNEE SO I DO NOT HAVE FUNDS TO TAKE HIM TO THE VET IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN TEL ME HOW TO HELP HIM IT IS OPEN NO FUR OR SKIN COVERING IT I HAVE BEEN PUTTING ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT ON IT AND WASHING IT DAILY HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ILL OR LETTING IT BOTHER HIS LIFESTYLE THANKYOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANYONE WHO CAN HELP

Answer
Hi Linda:

Sorry to hear your little guy is having a problem. Since you didn't really describe the 'polyp', it could be several different things that ferrets get from time to time - NONE of them immediately life threatening, if that's of comfort to you.  They can, of course, indicate there his *something* going on inside the ferret, so it's always best to have lumps and bumps checked out, especially in a ferret as young as yours.

The greatest immediate concern is IF it gets infected or bleeds excessively. Keep the area clean with soapy water and a good rinse to remove any debris, then blot dry with a towel, apply a wound cleansing product like Bactine, then allow to air dry is generally best and only home care necessary for 99% of all skin problems ferrets get.

Here's a great website that talks about the various types of skin problems that ferrets have and gives you more specific information on treatment for each:

        http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/mast.html

Looking over the different types of 'bumps', I'm sure you will quickly see which type of skin lesion best describes what your little guy has.  For right now, while you're recuperating, unless the polyp/bump/lump/tumor becomes infected (watch for pus oozing from wound OR redness around the edges of the wound) or bleeds excessively, a trip to the vet can wait till you get feeling enough better to make the trip. But do be aware that bumps on the outside of a ferret *may* indicate deeper problems inside, so a vet visit would be the best idea as soon as you are able to be up and around.

If your vet determines the bump is a harmless one, a simple cauterization will usually take care of the problem. For now, just keep it clean and be sure he doesn't dig it open while scratching - I think that would be my greatest concern with it being on his neck. It would probably be a good idea to trim his toe nails to keep his 'weapons' as harmless as possible so he doesn't tear it open, if he hasn't already.

Hopefully this has answered your questions. I sure hope your little guy has one of the very harmless bumps; and also hope that you GET WELL SOON!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers