Thought I'd appeal to other readers' experience & expertise here: let me
know if you think I should be doing more/something else.
 
2 year old ferret Ramon had an extremely thorough shed early this spring -
it was coming off him in clumps.  He continues to shed at a more normal
rate.  In addition, one of his little hobbies is chewing on plastic and
rubber.  I've been giving him hairball remedy once or twice a week.
 
Also since this spring, he has weight.  I'm not sure how much is normal
for him, as it is our first year owning him, but he looks skinnier to me
than he did when we got him late last summer; on the other hand, he's
getting more exercise.  According to my little postage scale, he weighed
about 2.75 pounds this winter, when he looked nice and plump, and now
weighs just under 2.5.  (The numbers may not be accurate, but the
proportion probably is.
 
Then, in the past few days, i've heard him gagging a couple of times, like
a cat trying to get rid of a hairball.  Didn't actually vomit.  He is
cheerful and active & playful & appears to feel just fine.  Has not been
vomiting or straining to void.
 
But between everything i got worried he might have an obstruction.  Took
him to the vet this morning.  They looked at a stool sample and said there
was a lot of hair in it.  The dr palpated his abdomen & said he felt what
seemed like normal but large "fecal balls" that were not impacted.  Did
not feel an xray or barium xray were needed.  Said that if he had an
obstruction we would see him straining in the litter box and/or vomiting.
Suggested giving him daily hairball remedy as long as he's shedding.
 
Is that what you guys would say too?  Let me know if anyone thinks this is
not good advice for any reason.  Thanks.
 
--sharin
[Posted in FML issue 2702]