My ferret had a prolapsed rectum. Does he need a vet visit?

This is usually caused by softer feces/diarrhoea and colitis (inflammation of the last part of the intestine). As a first approach, I would suggest to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

I recommend that you have your ferret examined by an exotic species veterinarian. First, I am concerned that your ferret may have a small rectal prolapse. This occurs when rectal tissue is pushed through the anus, often due to straining from constipation. Alternatively, if your ferret has diarrhea or loose stools, the skin around the anus can become swollen and irritated. Ferrets can also get impacted or infected anal glands. Treatment will vary depending on what is causing the redness and swelling, so a proper diagnosis is very important.

Anything you apply will likely be licked off, so this is not recommended. You can feed a bland diet and use an e-collar (cone) if she begins to lick her back end until she sees the doctor. If she suffers a prolapse, she should be seen right away. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites.

I would be concerned that your ferret is either constipated, having diarrhea, or perhaps has a foreign body/blockage going on. If she does not eat within a 24 hour period then yes, I would recommend taking her into the vet. Your veterinarian will need to palpate her abdomen, possibly do a fecal exam, and may recommend abdominal x-rays and an ultrasound. Because ferrets are so small they can become dehydrated and weak very quickly if not eating and drinking. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Please let us know if you have any other questions or if anything changes with Zelda. Best of luck!

Very dark feces is always a quite concerning sign as it could be related to the presence of digested blood coming from the first tract of the gastrointestinal tract. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

I would recommend that you have Sweetums examined by the vet. You have described a rectal prolapse, which can be caused by intestinal parasites, irritable bowel disease, diarrhea or constipation, etc. Some pets with chronic rectal prolapse require a surgery to tack the colon to the body wall to keep it in place. If it prolapses too long, it can become ulcerated or infected, which would require surgery to remove the affected portion.

It is definitely something to keep a close eye on but I don't know if I would be overly concerned just yet unless he is showing other symptoms of illness (like vomiting, not eating, lethargy, etc). If all else is OK I suggest you start Bilbo on a probiotic to see if that will help. https://petvaluemart.com/digestive-enzymes/111-purina-fortiflora.html?search_query=fortiflora&results=1 Also, be sure you are feeding him a high quality diet like Marshalls or Zupreem. http://www.ferretdepot.com/food-!%60-nutrition/ferret-food/ And don't feed any treats unless they are labeled for ferrets: http://www.ferretdepot.com/toys-!%60-treats/ferret-treats/ If the mucus persists despite these changes then I suggest you get him to your vet for an exam. Hope this helps!