Ferret Poopie

[Melanie]

Hi, My oldest female ferret (who is almost 4) has been having seedy yellowish runnier than normal poops and her pee is also kind of think/gooey. I'm wondering if the gooey pee is just a mixture of pee and bad poos..... I'm really concerned but she is eating and drinking as usual and she is also acting and behaving as usual. Any ideas as to what this may be?

[Tressie]

Females tend to get more of a mixture of stool and urine because of the proximity of the anus to the vulva (the penis is a considerable distance in the male). Therefore, it's more likely the looser stool is mixing with the urine, making it look thicker. I am assuming her vulva is not swollen (indicating adrenal disease)? I ask because in that case, she would have a discharge and may develop an infection.

Birdseed stool, like you describe means that food is not being digested efficiently - the little globs are undigested fat and protein globules. This generally indicates that food is not being digested or absorbed well in the small intestine. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one condition that can cause this, but there are many others.

The general rule of thumb is - if it isn't resolved within 72 hours and nothing has changed with her diet - its time for a visit to the vet.

Which brings me to the obvious questions.... Have you changed her diet recently? Added a new food? New treats? Or too many treats? Too much Ferretone? Could she be sneaking another animal companion's food (i.e., cat or dog kibble). All of these things can affect her digestion and cause abnormal stools.

If NOTHING has changed in terms of foods she's ingested, and she's had this type of stool for more than 72 hours, a vet visit is in order, and if you can swing it bring along a fresh stool sample for examination. And if you can't manage that (timing etc.) take a couple of pics and take them with you so the vet knows what you mean.

The good thing is that she is acting otherwise normal, so it does sound more like a change of food is likely the cause rather than an illness.

Tressie

[Melanie]

I began slowly changing their food back in September. Its only the past 2 or 3 weeks that they have been on the new food completely. . There are no other animals in the house that she can sneak food from and we have not changed her treats and we rarely give treats so she wouldn't be getting to many.The problem has only been apparent since last night so maybe I'll give her a little time and see what happens. I'm just very nervous and concerned for my little girl!

Thanks for the help!