LOL, yes, if the ferret has a "bellybutton", it's a boy. How old is the ferret...6-8 weeks old I'm guessing? No it isn't too early to clean ears or clip nails. To make things a little easier, you can put a few drops a ferretone(or linatone) on the ferret's stomach. While he is busy licking away, clip the nails. Just be careful to not cut the quick(the red vein running through the nail. You can see the quick pretty clearly as a ferret's nails are opaque. If you cut it, it will cause the ferret pain and he will most definitely bleed(have some syptic(?) powder on hand just in case you accidentally cut it...you can also use flour or drag the nail across a bar of plain white soap if you don't have the powder). Also try not to cut too close to the quick--you may end up squeezing the nail, which will put pressure on the quick. It won't bleed, but it will pinch and make your ferret jump a bit and complain. If need be don't do all 4 paws in one sitting--give him (and yourself) a break between paws
For ear cleaning, make sure you scruff the ferret(and support his hind end on something) to keep his head still. If he jerks his head while you have the q-tip in his ear, you could end up injuring his ear(or ear drum). Clean only as far as you can see in the ear. Never put the q-tp down the ear canal--you could rupture the ear drum.
Also, I have found if I warmed up the ear cleaner a bit(not in the microwave) before putting it in their ears, it makes ear cleaning a little easier. Cold drops in their ears seems to make them squirm and fuss more.
Hope this helps
~Nancy
