Stomach ulcers do seem to happen.  Ferrets grinding their teeth and or
ferrets with black tarry stools are possible victims of this condition.
Small ulcers may not bleed enough for the blood to show up as black "tar"
(digested blood) but they can cause great pain and cause the ferret to quit
eating.
 
We commonly treat a ferret who is off his/her feed or especially one
grinding its teeth with a combination of things.  1) Pepto Bismol (maximum
strength); 2) Amoxicillin; 3) Sulcrafate (Carafate); and 4) Duck Soup.  The
Sulcrafate given about 45 minutes before anything else to keep it from
binding with anything else.
 
The Pepto and Amoxi kill the common bacteria often associated with ulcers in
ferrets.  The Pepto also helps sooth the stomach.  The Sulcrafate, I
understand, binds with the ulcerated tissue to protect it.
 
Disclaimer:  I am not a vet.  Just a shelter operator.  Always check with
your vet before administering any treatments.
 
Dick B.
[Posted in FML issue 1599]