Apple Skin Causes Intestinal Blockage

Question
QUESTION: my ferret has lost some weight recently but it is july so it could be seasonal and she was eating less and not pooping, so i gave her sum laxitive and i read to examin there poop so i did it was mostly liquid but the solid part i "disected" and it looked to be appleskin, i did feed her a small piece of apple could apple skin become an intestinal blockage? on the other hand it could be hair because she is always grooming my other ferret.

ANSWER: Hi Rocky!

Yikes, apple skin is definitely NOT something your ferret should have been eating and YES, it will cause an intestinal blockage. Once the blockage starts (it can be a partial blockage in the beginning), it can be a point where fur gets stuck and the blockage grows until it is complete and the ferret will not eat or drink and dies unless it has emergency surgery.

I am also concerned when you say that your ferret's poop is "mostly liquid" - a healthy ferret should have well-formed stools, so it makes me think there is something else going on there, maybe an intestinal parasite.

Giving your ferret the laxative was a very good idea and you should probably give it again to continue to make sure there is no more blockage; then wait about a week and give it again weekly after that.

You do need to take the ferret to a vet for a stool exam. The vet will give you medications for the ferret if he has intestinal parasites and it is very important that you give them exactly as prescribed.

Ferret poop should never been runny, liquid, spaghetti-thin, or tiny amounts at a time - all of these indicate that something is going on that needs a vet's care. If you don't have a vet already, please write again with your city, state and zip code and I can try to get a vet for you. She definitely does need to see a vet, tho. Any time a ferret is losing weight (even tho it's summertime, if she has recently lost the weight, then it wouldn't be seasonal at this time of year), it indicates something is going on; anytime a ferret is having loose stools or runny poop, something is going on and a vet MUST be seen.

PLEASE don't give your ferret any more apple with the skin on it - that's really dangerous!  For snacks, your ferret should be eating Totally Ferret snacks, Ferretlax (or whatever kind of laxative you use) and Ferretone. NEVER fruits and vegetables - a ferret is an "obligate carnivore", which means his digestive system is designed ONLY to digest meat and things that have been made of meat, so no more fruits and veggies, okay?  If he insists, a tiny piece of apple WITHOUT THE SKIN would be okay, but just know that there is always a chance that it will cause an intestinal blockage. I try to give my ferrets only things that will keep them HEALTHY and HAPPY :-)  They are like little children, they don't know what is good for them and would live on candy and junk food all the time - it's our responsibility to read labels and not to give them anything with fruits or vegetables in it.

Let me know if you need help finding an "exotics" vet - or check your phone book for any vet that says "exotics" in their ad.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers

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

QUESTION: k, well it was liquidy because i gave her a ferret laxitive to help pass the blockage

Answer
Oh, I see. (duh :-)  Sorry 'bout that.  It's usually well formed tho?  You were wise to give the laxative and I would give it again just to be sure everything is out of there. If something comes out again next time, then give it again - repeat till it comes out with nothing but poop in it.

Hopefully she will start gaining some weight back and it was only the apple peel that was causing her to lose weight.  If she doesn't pick up some weight, it wouldn't hurt to get her checked over.  Weight loss is very often a symptom of something more going on, so do keep a good watch on it.

Hug that sweet little girl for me! I hope she's all better soon!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers