To Ross G Miller:
 
Whenever someone adopts a new pet, it is ALWAYS a VERY GOOD idea to take
them to a vet for a checkup, even if they are uptodate on vaccinations.
Take a fecal sample in for analysis at the same time.
 
I'm not sure what "sources" you are getting your info from, but "normal"
ferret stool is not black.  Black and tarry can mean internal bleeding
of some sort and is not a good sign.
 
Generally, the feces will look like whatever you are feeding them.  If
you are feeding cheap stuff w/lots of dyes fillers, the feces can be
red-tinged and smelly.  If you use a better quality food, they will smell
less.  Light brown, medium brown, dark brown, can all be attributed to
what you feed.
 
Ferrets normally have softer stools than say dogs or cats.  It will be
formed, but not "hard" if you will, like dogs/cats - it is soft - not
really mushy - but it will lose its form if you play around w/it (for
instance, if you are looking for a foreign object).
 
Sometimes when acquiring a new pet, there is a period of adjustment -
being in a new environment can stress an animal causing loose stool -
but this should clear up w/in a short time, and if Samantha is eating
and playing ok and seems happy, then she may have gotten thru the
adjustment period.  Being separated from 2 other ferrets after all
this time may have caused some anxiety as well.
 
Science is a good-quality food, but if you think her stools are too
mushy, it wouldn't hurt to have a once-over if you haven't done so
already.
 
Debbie Riccio
WNYFLFA
[Posted in FML issue 1175]