Ferret Food and stool Concern

Question
Hi,
My name is Robert and I noticed that my Ferret has a soft stool that is brownish in color with some blood on it. I don't know if their stool is supposed to be soft or not. Its not too soft as in diarrhea but just solid and soft. Anyway, I have been doing some research and have noticed that Kaytee Fiesta Ferret is a no no and I don't know if they have changed their recipe or not but that is what I have. It came in a green bag. So I was curious if this food is really bad and that is what may be causing the bleeding if that is what it is or is it from the red pellets in the food but it looks to me that it is blood since it is only on the outside of his stool. I have him in a large three story cage with Aspen for bedding. Please give me some insight on this matter. I really would like to find out more on this to see whether or not it is something very serious or not. Thank you very much and please ask me a few questions if I haven't provided you with enough information. Thank you again.

Answer
Blood in the stool is a medical emergency, you need to take him to a vet ASAP! I can't stress this enough. Blood in the stool is NEVER good, it may already be too late.

Kaytee is a big no-no for several reasons, one of which is they put dried fruit in their mix, which ferrets can't digest very well and also fruit has sugars in it which mess up their metabolism. Not to mention Kaytee is a cheaper food in quality, and ferrets need high fat and protein concentrates with chicken or other good meats as the main ingredients, never fruit or veggies or breads. Kaytee is bad because they toss in a lot of things that aren't good for ferrets.

So please please take him to a vet SOON. Don't wait a couple of days, do it now or tomorrow. I don't know what to tell you to do in the meantime, ferrets need to eat. Even getting him a decent kitten food at this point would be better than feeding him that stuff.

If you need advice on how to care for him until you can get him to a vet, please ask Jacquie Rodgers or one of the other volunteers--I don't know know what you should do if you have to wait to get an appointment. Sorry for being so blunt, but again, this is an emergency for your ferret. I hope things work out and he gets help and is ok.

~sheila