Black and or tarry stools are more often than not signs of intestinal
bleeding.  I'm not going to allude to as what it may or may not be but, I
am going to emphatically state that, this is an EMERGENCY.  Get your white
( a name would be nice) to a ferret knowledgeable vet right away, one who
will do a BUN, X-ray and a CBC for starters.  In the mean time get some
Deliver 2.0 ready to use Vanilla Liquid Nutrition Shake manufactured by;
MeadJohnson down him.  Shake it up real well (Do not use the Chocolate).
If he refuses to take it on his own try dipping a clean finger into it and
offering it to him bringing your finger closer to the dish each time.  If
he still refuses use a 1cc (VERY CLEAN / WITHOUT THE NEEDLE) syringe.
Scruff your little guy as if though his mother were carrying him, draw up a
full cc of Deliver and GENTLY run the plastic tip of the syringe along his
gum line until you get to where his upper and lower jaw meet then, slowly
depress the plunger.  Reassure him with love that he's a good baby.  You
should try to get at least 20cc's down him every 4-6 hours.  When you have
the opportunity to do so, make up some of Bob C.'s chicken gravy or even
duck soup, anything that will sustain his life.  Monitor him closely for
dehydration, this is done by pinching the skin together as if though you
were scruffing him IF, the skin sticks together and does not return to it's
normal position (flat) it is imperative that you get him to any vet for
some Sub-Q fluids.
 
I strongly urge everyone in here to ask your vets to teach you how to
administer Sub-Q fluids to your babies, this procedure can be taught by
using a healthy baby.  It doesn't hurt them and it could mean the
difference between life and death especially after vet hours and on
weekends.  The Sub-Q fluids are quite reasonable and has a shelf life of
up to a year if stored properly.  I use the .  20 gauge needle with a 30cc
syringe.
 
Good Luck Bob and please keep us posted.
[Posted in FML issue 2652]