Diagnosis and Successful Surgical Removal of an Aural Ceruminous Gland Adenocarcinoma in a Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 4-year-old neutered male albino domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was evaluated for otitis externa of the right ear. A general physical examination revealed severe inflammation of the right external ear canal with large amounts of ceruminous debris. Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), large numbers of cocci and rod bacteria, and yeast were noted on cytological examination of an ear swab. After treatment with topical selamectin, and 8 days of treatment with a compounded broad-spectrum combination ear cleaner, the inflammation had resolved. On a subsequent otoscopic examination, an 8-mm diameter, painful, multilobed, irregular, fleshy mass was noted to be completely occluding the right ear canal. A lateral ear canal resection was performed to provide exposure to the base of the mass. The mass was found to have a stalk-like origin at the junction of the vertical and horizontal ear canals. The mass was removed at the base using electrocautery. Histopathology identified the mass as a ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. Follow-up radiation and chemotherapy were declined by the owners. There was no evidence of recurrence of either the mass or otitis 9 months after the operation. This case report demonstrates that a lateral ear canal resection can facilitate removal of a mass from within the ear canal, and that surgical resection alone may provide a desirable disease-free resolution of the problem in ferrets.