strange new habits

Question
QUESTION: As a certified animal behaviorist, I have a question for you. I have a female ferret about a year and half old. My boyfriend and I recently got a new baby ferret, which she cares for like her own kit. However, my ferret has started  experiencing a lack of appatite and lack of potting. When she does potty, shes usually constipated; in addition, she drinks plenty of water and pees alot. I am unsure whether she's giving the baby ferret the run of the food dish, she has an intestinal blockage and is not hungry, or the high quality food is too rich for her. I usually end up feeding her alot of ferretlax regularly due to the fact she has long fur, but I'm not sure if this is helping. Her energy is low too; however, its probably from running around playing with the baby ferret. She was extremely mellow and very human attentive to start with. Any advice of not going to the vet would be helpful.

ANSWER: Lack of appetite and lack of pooping means there may be a problem - medically.  Ferrets are rarely constipated, so get her to a vet for a check up.  Make sure the vet is a ferret knowledgeable vet.  Ferrets should be fed a high protein and lo carb diet so as long as you are feeding a good food (Natural Gold or Totally Ferret) then a rich diet shouldn't be a problem.  Unless she gets hairballs, I wouldn't worry too much about the Ferretlax - unless of course the vet says she has a hairball blockage!

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QUESTION: My ferret has long fur and is constantly grooming herself like a cat. Ferretlax used to help alot but I went awhile without giving her any so I'm afraid it could be a hairball blocking her intestinal track. I have a real problem with finding ferret vets. All the "exotic" animal vets around here only see dogs and cats; I've called around. The name is just for show. I think I'm going to keep an eye on her and take her to a vet in another state when I visit my family in a couple months. Thanks for the advice.

Answer
If it is a blockage, it could be too late to wait a month.  Ferrets have high protein requirements and short digestive tracts so not eating/pooping for just a day or 2 could mean death.  Here are 2 web sites that can help you find a ferret vet close enough that you can take her ASAP

http://www.quincyweb.net/quincy/vet.html
http://ferrethealth.org/vets/