Changes in toileting

Question
Hello Cynthia

I have three rescued ferrets.  Honey Pie is generally getting on a bit although my vet isn't quite sure what age she is, I've had her for 4 years and we are both guessing she is around 6.  Lately I've noticed that her stools are a lot smaller than they used to be, darker than the other two ferrets stools and she seems in a degree of discomfort/straining whilst trying to defecate.  She also makes noises whilst doing this which she never used to do.  I took her to my vet who examined her thoroughly, couldn't find anything wrong other than impacted anal glands which he cleared.  Her toileting was better for a few days, but she is back to straining again and not producing much.  Everything else is normal, weight, behaviour, eating the same amounts etc.  I give her hairball paste 1-2 times a week.  Do you think I need to return to the vet again or is this just a sign of her becoming a geriatric and perhaps finding it harder to go to the toilet?  My worry is, if she is eating the same amount of food, why isn't she defecating the amount she used to?

Your advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks very much.

Michelle

Answer
Hello Michelle,

Straining to defecate is not normal behavior, although an impacted anal gland can cause such things.  Once the impaction is cleared, it should resolve itself for more than a few days.  The fact that her symptoms started again leads me to believe it is only part of the problem or unrelated to her anal gland issues.  

How does her stool look now?  Is it tarry and black?  This indicates bleeding in the upper GI tract.  The blood becomes digested and turns into a black tarry stool.  There are MANY causes for this; ulcers, stomach perforations, etc.  Regardless, it is NOT normal and the cause should be determined ASAP.  

It worries me that she is eating normally but having problems defecating.  What goes in must come out, and if she is still straining and producing small stools she should be seen by your vet as soon as possible.   What tests has he preformed?  Has he run blood-work and taken x-rays?  I would certainly recammend a full diagnostic work-up if these have not already been done.  This could help point you towards the problem, and give you answers that an exam itself might not.

Let me know if I can be of any further assistance!  Good luck with Honey Pie.

-Cindy P.