>>He starts wheezing, like he is trying to clear something out of his
>>throat
 
>You might also consider the possibility of a hairball.  Take him to a
>vet for an exam, but in the meanwhile a dose or two of ferret laxative
>couldn't hurt.
 
Also have a chest x-ray if this is pronounced, or happening often.  Need
to check heart and lungs for safety's sake and to treat if there is a
problem in either.
 
>I was reading up, and read that black tarry stools could mean "GI"
>bleeding.  First, what is "GI" and second, how is this caused?
 
Gastrointestinal tract.  Black tarry stools indicate partly digested
blood, often form an ulcer.  There is a LOT on treating same in:
http://listserv.cuny.edu/archives/ferret-search.html
       and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list .
 
I am not a vet, just a long-time ferret person with over 19 years with
ferrets in the family.
[Posted in FML issue 3566]