Tarry Poop - Stress?

[alaskastreet]

So we began our drive from Texas to Alabama. This is our second night on the road and sneaking ferrets into the motel room. I went to clean out the dog carrier both my ferrets are staying in and saw a nice pile of tarry stool.

I know the trip has been stressful, especially for the baby since she isn't deaf like Boogie. The three toy poodles are crated in the car as well, and are also stressed (at least until their sleeping pills kick in.)

We'll be reaching our destination tomorrow. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to keep her okay until we can get to a vet? I've seen her eating and drinking and we're trying our best to keep the car cool enough for them. Right now, both of the fuzzies are checking out the bathroom and stretching their legs. She doesn't seem to be in pain when I hold her or showing any signs of illness. She does need her distemper booster when we roll into town and hasn't been near other ferrets to pick up a virus. I'm guessing it's an ulcer of some sort but it seems like it came out of nowhere. I can't think of anything at home that she could've eaten that's hurting her.

There's also the issue that I'm not 100% sure it's Baby. Boogie is treating this like a huge adventure, though, and doesn't seem stressed in the least. I checked both their butts and both of them got mad at me for invading their privacy but I didn't see anything abnormal with their rears.

Ahhhh! Parents, why did you have to mooooove?!

[joclyn]

if it is an ulcer that's started to bleed, you'll see a fair amount of teeth-grinding.

if you have carafate, i'd start giving that 2x a day. i'd also move to a soft diet (canned food now and make a gravy or soup once you're at your new location). and get to a vet as soon as you can. ulcers are connected to bacteria, so, you may need to start a regimen of antibiotics.

red roof inn, quality inn and holiday inn all allow pets - and there are others, too. some charge a pet fee and some don't.

[Barbara]

It could be stress but dark tarry stools usually mean blood in the stomach like from an ulcer. Just make sure they get plenty of water and not too hot. Lots of good thoughts and prayers coming your way.

[angelle3]

awwe, you poor things. Travelling in this heat is enough to stress anyone out. try to put some bottles filled with water into a freezer if the hotel has them, and put them in the crate the babies are in while you're on the road. It will help them to stay cool. I wish I knew more about tarry-pooh to help you, but it does sound like an ulcer or stress. All the best of luck to you, though. HUGS to you and your little ones.

[Dingo]

Hoping you're all settled in by now at the new place. Did you manage to find a ferret experienced vet yet? Hope everything is going o.k.