I reported yesterday that Elvis was dehydrated, lethargic, and had lost about
one-third of his body weight.  The diagnosis is in.  Elvis passed a giant
hairball.  Fortunately, he was able to pass it on his own after a few doses
of laxatone I received from the vet.  Elvis immediately began eating and
drinking (voraciously).  I am supplementing his diet with nutri-cal in order
to get his body weight up.  It turns out that his body weight was down nearly
500 grams. Anyway, the moral is this:
Dehydration + lethargy + no food intake + severe weight loss MIGHT equal a
hairball problem.  It might be useful to actually pick apart your ferret's
stool to look for hair (gross, I know.).
Laxatone is a good remedy (hopefully.  Severe cases may require surgery)
See Ya,
Dan and Big Pelvis Elvis.
[Posted in FML issue 1115]