From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-08-20 22:22:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Ferret with loose stools - Help
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., hillarytheriault@h... wrote:
> I am hoping someone can help me - our oldest ferret, Busy Bob, has
been
> having some loose stools over the past several days. he seems to
> oscillate between formed, normal looking stools (albeit a little
soft)
> and unformed, brown stools (but not really watery - just light
brown
> and very very soft). Friday I started giving him .5 cc of
Kaopectate
> twice a day and Saturday I started feeding him Duck Soup, to
supplement
> what he is eating on his own. Sunday his stools looked much better,
but
> this morning there were some unformed one in the litterbox again.
He is
> eating and drinking on his own, he is playful, etc. I suspect it
might
> be the high humidity we have been having of late (plus he seems to
> react poorly to any stressful situation) as every summer we seem to
go
> through something similar.
>
> I am not sure what to do. Should I keep doing what I am doing, take
him
> to the vet, or not worry. Any tips would be great.
Dear Hillary:
The fact that he is eating and drinking well and has good activity is
a good sign, and if this is a common summertime problem for him, I
don't think that a trip to the vet is urgent.
I am not a big fan of Kaopectate in ferrets - it's proposed activity
is to scavenge toxic bacterial products in the gut, and it just
really doesn't do anything consistent in ferrets (if it does in any
species.)
The duck soup is a good way to help him out. Also make sure that
there is nothing in his environment that he might be getting into,
such as bar soap, etc, and let's dispense with any treats for a while.
If you notice any other signs of illness beyond the loose stools,
it's off to the vet with him.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM