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Treatment

Unless diarrhea is severe and your veterinarian determines that your ferret is dehydrated, it will be treated as an outpatient; otherwise, it will be given intravenous fluids. Meanwhile, ferrets suffering from anorexia may refuse kibble, but are often willing to eat canned cat foods, meat baby foods, or high-calorie liquid or paste dietary supplements.

Rectal prolapse -- a protrusion of the rectal walls through the anus -- is not uncommon in cases of PBD, and should be surgically repaired and closed until the ferret's feces return to a normal consistency. As such, you should to monitor the animal while it defecates to make sure the sutures stay in place. Otherwise, your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate medication, such as pain relievers or antibiotics.

Living and Management

Fortunately, most ferrets with mild to moderate PBD respond well to medication, although animals with the chronic type of the disease may require long-term therapy. Also, the veterinarian will direct you to monitor the ferret and bring it back for a checkup if the diarrhea continues.

Prevention

Keeping the ferret's environment sanitary and stress-free will usually prevent PBD in your animal.