Hi Jacquie! Something stange happening.

Question
QUESTION: HI!! Do you remember me? It's Jessica, owned by little 10 month old Ace Ventura, and about to be adopted by another little girl ferret named Goldilocks!

Well I was concerned about something weird happening! When in his Ferret Nation cage, his poops are great, healthy and everything.

But when I take him outdoors (rarely I do) to get some fresh air and to play, his poops seem a little funky. Like a little mucousy. Just a little, not anything that would have me REALLY concerned.

Just wondering what that might be. He's turned into SUCH a love bug, and what a poofball as well. If I'm allowed to post a picture... here's Ace!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2401288919_4c2c75eb6c_o.jpg


ANSWER: Hi Jessica & Ace!!

Oh, Jessica!! What a sweet little guy! No wonder you are so smitten! Thank you so very much for the picture!! What a sweet, healthy looking little boy!! He almost looks like he's wearing a little white bow tie with the tiny white splash under his chin - not a 'bib', but a teeny white splash like a bow tie :-)  He is obviously very healthy and happy and very very well loved! I can see by the way he looks right into the camera that he is completely engaged with life and very very interested in what is going on. If he only knew that he's about to get a little sister -- whoo hoo!!! <grin>  Just wondering if he has met her yet - if not, it's a good idea, as some ferrets just automatically seem to love each other at first sight; others just won't ever get along, no matter what we do!  So, for both of their happiness and for your peace of mind (and to make life easier for all), it's just a good idea to let them meet & see how they interract).....however.....

To be on the SAFE side:  Be sure Goldilocks has solid stools and a clean slate of health so she doesn't bring any nasty bugs to that little man, k? Bringing a new ferret home is how we often bring diseases to our ferrets. Common diseases brought home with new ferrets are: ECE, giarrdia, coccidia and ear mites.  The first three would show up in their stools (IF they are in an active state; they can also be dormant and you wouldn't know until he got sick), the ear mites you can sometimes see by looking in her ears and if you see lots of dark brown gunk, it's probably mite poop. Easily treated, but if you bring her home before they are treated, you will have to treat both of them - same with the other three too. Unfortunately the intestinal diseases can leave permanent tummy and digestive problems that I wouldn't want little Ace to have to deal with. Just a good idea to have Goldilocks checked over thoroughly, a full blood panel, stool screen from a good vet. There is also a disease called ADV that is a parvo virus she should be checked for just for safety sake, especially if you are in the eastern U.S. where it is more common. ADV is deadly and shouldn't be taken lightly.

I'm so happy to hear from you and know that Ace Ventura is so very healthy and happy! What a great ferret mommy you are - lucky little Goldilocks to be joining a fun ferret family with so much love!! Stay in touch - if there's ever anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask; in the meantime, I'd LOVE to see a picture of Goldilocks when she gets settled in, if that's possible - thanks so much!! What a lovely surprise to get to see Ace Ventura - you made my day!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick reply!!

Yep, I've gotten her to take pictures of Goldie's poops and have checked with her vet (he's VERY good) to see the records.

I also tested for ADV, both negative. Got to see papers for Goldie's testing, ha ha. :)

Thanks so much!

Answer
Hi again Jessica:

You're welcome.......it's a good thing I looked at my answer again!! I never did address your original question about Ace's occasional mucousy poops when he goes outside - duh!! LOL, sorry about that! I was so excited to see his picture and thinking about Goldilocks that I forgot the important part!

Anyway, a little mucous or even a little greenish diarrhea is completely NORMAL in a completely healthy ferret - it simply means he is just a bit excited.  You will likely see it in both ferrets for the first few days they are together, so I'll tell you now and hopefully it won't upset you when it happens. You only worry if they vomit also OR if they poop a HUGE amount of green poop and especially if it is really stinky and splatters everywhere. Sorry for the graphic detail, but that's how ECE does and that's what makes it very 'unique'.  Once you see and smell it, you absolutely cannot mistake it for anything else - neither can your walls, furniture, carpet...you name it.  

Anyway, a little off and on greenish, loose and/or mucous is just fine. It's just their way of saying "ohhh, I'm EXCITED!"   So, you see, having diarrhea is not always a bad thing....and being excited may not always be all it's cracked up to be! LOL

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers