ferret and too soft of stool

Question
I have an 8 year old ferret.  He doesn't have full blown diahrea but his poo is definately without form.  More of a blob and it sounds like it squirts out.  Then he drags his but on the carpet like his anus is itchy.  I am concerned of dehydration mainlybut, nutrition is a definate concern and his old age and health.  

Answer
I have an older ferret rescue that occassionally gets diarrea too for no reason, but it usually only last for 1 stool passing. What I reccommend is buying some Wet Tail, it is sold at pet stores in the hamster area, it is actually made for hamsters but can also be used for ferrets, I have used it successfully before. Just follow the directions on the label. I also reccommend getting some ferret vitamins because it sounds like he is not absorbing any nutrition from the food, 8 in 1 makes a ferret vitamin paste that I love to use, ferrets seem to like it also. Then I reccommend switching food to Purina One Sensitive Systems, I have used this food for a long time and it seems to work better than any ferret food on the market, I have had less problems with diarrea from it also, it is sold in the cat food area, I know PetsMart and Pet Supplies Plus have it. It would also be a good idea to give him some Pedialyte in his water bottle at least until his stool settles, this will help with dehydration, or if you have a Tractor Supply Company (TSC) near by they sell a powder called Bounce Back, it is in a little pouch and is only a little over $1 a pouch, it is sold in the antibiotic horse and cattle area, it is a bit cheaper than unflavored Pedialyte. Also if he seems to be getting skinnier he might like some soft ferret or cat food in chicken flavor, only mix it half and half with his regular food, this will also give some more hydration. If nothing works though, which would be unlikely than take him to a vet to get some antibiotics. I would try the Wet Tail and new food 1st, as well as either vitamins or Bounce Back solution. Email me back if you have any questions, my direct email is PWOOBY@aol.com.