What's causing my ferrets to have wet stools?

Hi there. I have 2 ferrets under 3 years old who have had wet stools for about 3 weeks now (off and on). Mostly it's a normal color, but I did notice one of them pooped some that was greenish the other day.

I haven't changed their diet...they eat a high quality ferret food. They haven't been given any strange treats. In fact, I've quit giving them treats since their stomachs started acting up.

They're both going to see the vet on Wed...but do you know of anything that can be causing this? They seem to be eating and drinking just fine. They're not dehydrated and they're not acting sick, either.

Thanks!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Hello,  I am glad you are taking them to the vet on Wed., and glad that your ferrets are acting fine.

Remember to take a fresh stool sample of both your ferrets' wet stool so that vet can perform a fecal, and giardia test.  Ferrets can get similar GI parasites as cats and dogs.

The infectious cause's of actual diarrhea (not just wet stool) in ferrets is a long list and can include: Helicobacter mustelae (which can also cause stomach and duodemun ulcers), Lawsonia intracellularis, Mycobacterium avium, M bovis, and M tuberculosis, Epizootic catarrhal enteritis (this causes greenish diarrhea specifically).  Most of these infectious disease cause much more severe symptoms such as: vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy and anorexia.  And most also have treatments.

Unless your ferrets are siblings I would lean toward infectious, parasitic, or a toxin, such as: ingestion of inedible substance, as the cause of the wet stool.  

If your ferrets are siblings there are a number of endocrine disorders that can have wet stool as one of the symptoms, but usually come with many more symptoms.

If you need more information please email again!  Thanks

[Aruba417]

Thanks a lot! No, they're not siblings...so it most likely is something parasitic. If they're eating something they shouldn't be, I have no idea what it is. I've been watching them when they're loose to see what they're getting into. I haven't noticed anything being eaten (other than cat food...which is something they always normally snack on). But I've even kept that away since they've been sick.

Thanks again for your reply. It helps ease some of my major worries. Hopefully it's something that will be easy to treat.