Why would a ferret's stomach bloat?

== == == == Possible causes - '''Intestinal blockage (fur balls, eating soft rubber objects); Heart disease; poison; internal tumor'''

Intestinal obstruction or blockage in the stomach is a common cause of premature death in ferrets. Many ferrets like to chew on soft rubber, foam rubber, sponges, rubber bands, pencil erasers and other small items and can become lodged in the intestines. Also grain-based foods (breads, cakes, cookies, cereals, noodles, etc.), nuts, or fibrous fruits and vegetables are indigestible to ferrets (lack a cecum) and can result in digestive problems, including blockages. Unless surgery is performed immediately to remove the obstruction or blockage, it will cause an agonizing, slow death. If your ferret appears bloated, loss of appetite, abnormal bowel movements, or exhibiting any abnormal behavoirs, it could be an intestinal blockage and be a medical emergency and need immediate veterinarian care. Advice from other contributors:

It could be multiple things. The best bet is to have it checked out by a vet. For suspected intestinal blockage try feeding it a couple 10ml syringes (the kind without the needle, for hand-feeding) of pumpkin pie filling (not sweetened). It is loaded with fiber and if your ferret has a hairball, as most ferrets get, this will get it to pass out faster than hairball remover and is safer than giving your ferret chemicals. My vet recommended it when my ferret had chewed an eraser up and didn't poop it out.

Many ferrets also get cancer. I had a ferret with a bloaty-belly that we rescued. She was under weight everywhere else but her belly was bloated. Suspecting an intestinal blockage she went to the vet but x-rays revealed it was cancer and she was put down. Many ferrets get cancer in different places but make sure your vet can rule this out with an xray.