To Ken and Paula Tischler -
 
Tarry stools means it's time to go to the vet.  The presence of tarry st ools
indicates bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract, and it usually occurs
following the development of bleeding ulcers.  This is common in ferrets and
other mustelids under stress (I also have seen them in the sea otters during
the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and in sick skunks and mink.) Treatment can be
effective, but takes several weeks, often up to four.  I generally also treat
for infection with Helicobacter mustelae, a common inhabitant of the ferret
stomach, which can contribute to the stomach problems.
 
My treatment regimen for gastric ulcers includes Amoxicillin 10-20 mg/lb
twice daily, some form of gastric protectant which will mechanically coat the
ulcers and prevent the stomach acid from continuing to eat away at them, such
as Pepto Bismol - 1/15th tablet every six hours crushed up in food, or
Sucralfate, which you vet can prescribe, and a bland, highly digestible diet
in the initial phase.  Favorite diet at my house - Gerber's Second meals
chicken baby food in the blue jar.  Hand feed (force feed) first meal or two,
and then they go like gangbusters for it.
 
The problem with untreated ulcers is that the animal will become progres
sively more anemic with time, and in about 5% of cases, the ulcer can erode
into a large vessel, causing rapidly fatal hemorrhage.  This is not something
to take lightly.  Go to the vet!!!
 
 
Bruce Williams, DVM  [log in to unmask]  OR  [log in to unmask]
(202) 782-2445 (at the moment)
[Posted in FML issue 1128]