My ferret has yellow fur and hiccups. Is she sick or is it normal?

Thanks for reaching out about Dixie. Yellow stool is a concern and could be an indication of an infection, whether bacterial or viral, to be determined. If persists, a veterinary visit is indicated. Monitor appetite and water intake, as you have been. Good luck.

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a gengivostomatitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics 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.

Since your ferret has been having abnormal stool for quite some time now I would recommend taking him to the vet to be examined and having a fecal sample checked. Your ferret may have parasites, irritable/inflammatory bowel disease, a forgein body or some other issue going on. Continue to feed him a bland diet until you can get him checked out. I would also recommend weighing him weekly to make sure he is not losing weight. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco. Best of luck.

Hi, and thanks for your question. I would suggest to withhold food for the next 8-12 hours and then 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 diarrhoea, more 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’m sorry Scarlet isn’t feeling well. It sounds like she could possibly have an upper respiratory infection. Has anyone in the house been sick? Ferrets can get influenza from people fairly easily. I would encourage you to have her evaluated by your veterinarian soon. They may recommend antibiotics. Also taking her into the bathroom and running the shower can help humidify her. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Freddy has been unwell. Coughing may be a sign of an upper respiratory infection (e.g. a cold), or a hair ball, or heart disease. Coughing can also be mistaken with wretching, or the attempt to vomit. In this case the cause may be related to a gastrointestinal infection, or foreign body ingestion. Stinkier stools may also be related to a gastrointestinal issue. I would recommend taking Freddy to a vet, who will be able to fully diagnose his condition by performing a thorough physical exam. They can take a good listen to his lungs to check for pneumonia, and palpate his stomach to check for pain or evidence of hair ball or foreign body. They may also recommend checking a fecal sample to test for intestinal parasites. I hope this helps, and that Freddy is feeling better soon!

Thanks for reaching out. A veterinary visit is recommended sooner than later. Ferrets are prone to bacterial and viral (influenza) infections. Gastric problems (foreign bodies, infections) can also appear like respiratory problems due to discomfort and nausea. Separate from other ferrets to limit exposure. Good luck.

Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. I would be very concerned as this can be a sign of gastric disease. Ferrets often get foreign objects stuck in their guts, and can try to vomit but nothing comes up. I would recommend getting Zelda to a vet right away and have some x-rays done, as Zelda might need surgery. Best of luck with Zelda!

Since ferrets can get distemper and also the human flu, I would definitely take Ghost to a veterinarian for an exam. It may just be an upper respiratory infection treatable with antibiotics, however viral diseases must be ruled out. Please take Ghost to a vet for an exam.

Thanks for reaching out about Ellie. An ingested foreign body, hairball or other, is common in young ferrets. A veterinarian should be seen if the coughing continues as these small animals have few reserves. Coughing could also be an indication of a respiratory problem. Remember ferrets can contract influenza. Good luck.