I have a 6 month old ferret that often develops a prolapsed rectum. He deficates normally but a few times a week I find him straining to let out a little more. In the process he pushes out his rectum, lets out a little from his anal sac, and often leaves a small bit of feces. Ithas never been diahrrea abnd has never been something hard enough he should be straining to push out. The irritation usually makes him try again and again to deficate and he pushes it out more leading to some bleeding and obvious discomfort. Trying to apply some antibiotic also makes him uncomfortable and he continues to try to strain. He is fully intact so not a surgery issue and in the early stages of rut but has been doing this since about 3 months. He is fed a mostly cooked meat diet with kibble backup. The Vet checked a fecal stain and found nothing. No other idea why he was doing this. Someone told me it could be an infected anal gland and it should be expressed but in this state, I have yet to find a vet familiar with ferret anatomy to try. Usually within a rest period it goes back to normal and he is fine for a few days. Any ideas on potential causes? Any help on how to "treat" this when it occurs? Thank you scott [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 5140]