Joseph
Smokey's diarrhea may very well be caused by the fact that he has been
eating dog food for the last couple days.  His system is not used to that
very different food.
 
I'm sure you are aware that dog food is not an acceptable diet for ferrets.
It is far too low in protein and fat, and too difficult to digest--hence
the diarrhea.
 
Ferret food should be at least 34% protein and 20% fat, with meat
ingredients listed first on the label.  You will probably find that dog
food, and even many cat foods, list corn as the major ingredient.
 
Get your Smokey back to his regular diet, and his diarrhea will probably
go away.  Get him on a quality ferret food, or higher quality kitten food,
and he'll do even better.  But if he doesn't get better immediately, get
your parents to take him to the vet as soon as possible.  Ferrets can go
downhill very quickly.
 
Let us all know how he does.
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin OH
[Posted in FML issue 3201]