From:
dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2001-12-28 09:51:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Diarrhea
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "f5tornado2001" <f5tornado@n...>
wrote:
> Hi everyone. I'm new to this list and also a new ferret owner. We
> bought 2 ferrets about a week and a half ago. A couple days after
> being home they both got diarrhea. I found out too late that it's
> probably from the change in food from the pet store. I brought them
> to the vet and she did a fecal test on them. Negative. She gave
them
> antibiotics anyway. One of them doesn't have diarrhea anymore, but
> the other does. Otherwise, he seems fine. He's playful and is
eating
> and drinking. Does anyone have any ideas?
While a change in food is certainly a strong possibility, I will
commend you for taking them directly to the vet. There are a number
of diseases that can cause diarrhea, and a fecal test is always a
good place to start.
One thing that I would also do in your case (as a new ferret owner)
is check and recheck your ferret proofing. Young kits in a new
environment tend to explore everything, and will get there mouth on
the darndest things. Soap is a common cause of diarrhea if not
properly policed, and ferrets love to eat it. Also, look closely at
the treats that you are giving - some human foods are high in lactose
or other substances that may cause diarrhea in ferrets, and even
approved treats such as Linatone, will cause diarrhea if given to
often or in too much volume.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM