bowel obstruction

Question
This early AM my other ferret was picking on his cage mate and instead of responding he let out a mew like cry.  When I picked him up he could not stand/walk well.  He was fine a few days ago when I took him for his walk, eating fine but I can feel his ribs. I gave him ferret lax but think he might have a bowel obstruction.  There are only large animal vets in my area and when I called to ask I was hung up on or told they only help real animals. (this happened a few years ago when our daughter's rabbit was mauled by a neighbors dog) Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Cathie:

You don't really say why you think he may have a bowel obstruction.  Is it normal for the one ferret to pick on the other...or is that unusual behavior for them?

Also, I can't imagine where you are that veterinarians would give that kind of reply - it's against the oath they take as Licensed Veterinarians!

Obstructed bowels are often indicated if you notice a sudden change (loss) of weight, vomiting and/or pawing at the roof of their mouth and/or drooling; lack of eating/drinking and general malaise.

Early in one's suspicions, you can get a bulk laxative called VETASYL, mix it in either some chicken or turkey babyfood with lots of water added to make it very soupy (or what I like to use is Uncle Jim's Duk Soup Mix and make it with much more water than usual). Serve warm and open ONE CAPSULE of Vetasyl into the soup and mix well, then serve to the ferret. Of course, this goes better if your ferret is used to eating 'soup'......which is one reason it's a good idea for ALL ferret owners to get their ferrets used to eating 'soup' - then they will take it easier when they are ill and need to have medications and/or fluids.

Give the soupy warm soup with the contents of one Vetasyl capsule stirred into it for 2 to 3 days in a row. During this time you MUST keep a very close eye on the ferret - if it starts to vomit/drools/paws at the roof of its mouth, that indicates you do have a blockage and it is very very imperative that you get the ferret to a vet immediately for a surgical removal of the blockage.  Each bowel movement the ferret has, examine it and you will probably see all kinds of things come thru (you will be surprised!) and you will also notice that the ferret will begin to produce larger diameter poops also, which is good.....this means the lax is working and whatever was in there is being pushed out.  You can continue this treatment for a week if the ferret continues to pass fur or other small items and hopefully whatever was lodged in the intestines will pass and you will see it in the poops...this is why it's so important to watch the poops closely.

One way to prevent intestinal blockages is to be SURE you are feeding your ferret ONLY kibbled premium quality foods such as Totally Ferret (NO Kaytee Fiesta - that is commonly referred to as "blockage in a bag" because of the dried fruit that is in it - it often causes intestinal blockages).    The other thing that causes blockages is fur they ingest while grooming and/or things they get into if their play area is not adequately ferretproofed.

Here is a website that will help you ferretproof your ferret's play area:

FERRETPROOFING:  

http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/part2.html#ferretproofing

http://groups.msn.com/Ferret/yourwebpage10.msnw

http://groups.msn.com/Ferret/ferretproofing2.msnw

ALSO, here are some places you can check for vets who specialize in ferrets - they were all recommended by other ferret owners and are experienced in ferret care. Hopefully there is one in or near your area!

VETS CANADA:   
* http://www.ferretrescue.ca/start.php
* http://tinylink.com/?TlVyYKa6e0
* http://www.ferrets.org/Veterinarian_Listings.htm   (British Columbia)
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html

VETS USA:
* http://www.quincyweb.net/quincy/vet.html
* http://ferrethealth.org/vets/
* http://www.ferret-universe.com/vets/vetlist.asp
* http://www.ferretsanctuary.com/vets.shtml
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
* http://ferrethealth.org/vets/

VETS  UK & IRELAND:  
* http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/vetlist.htm

VET INFO/ LIST OF FERRET GROUPS/ CONTACTS IN UK, ITALY, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, NETHERLANDS, GERMANY & DENMARK:       
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-overseas.html (scroll down page to find the one you are looking for)

VET TO VET HELP: (procedure videos & phone consultations)
* http://www.westendanimal.com   Dr. Deborrah Kemmerer *order medical procedure videos (vets)
* http://www.bradleyhills.com   Dr. Charles Weiss - *does vet to vet telephone consultations for a fee*
* http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html   Dr. Bruce Williams *pathology only* http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
* http://www.lbah.com/404.html      Long Beach Animal Hospital

Hope you find something here that helps. My best wishes to your ferret.  As a 'ferret mom', I would encourage you do act EARLY any time you feel there is something just 'not quite right' with a ferret. They hide their illnesses well and usually by the time we realize they are sick, they are often at death's door.  So, I encourage you to follow up immediately, either by taking the ferret to one of the vets for a "barium xray" OR by getting some Vetasyl (hopefully you can get it locally) and get some down your ferret immediately and watch for results.  Please let me know how it comes out.....okay?  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your ferret!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers