Post by mayhemkb on Mar 24, 2009 8:30:16 GMT -5
We are trying this for the 5th time for Garrison, and the first time with Mr Twig. . .
1. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names, ages, genders, and do they have any health problems (this is VERY important)?
Garrison 6-6-06 MN MF. Dark Sable Mild IBD. Responding to Red Bites EVO and Beef EVO soupie. Stress causes flare ups as well as poultry.
Mr Twig 4-23-08 MN MF. Silver Shetland. No known health issues. No problems on Garrison’s diet so far.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They are both eating a 70/30 mix of EVO Red Bites/EVO Reduced Fat (left over from Clyde) kibble. ¼-1/2 cups each daily.
Both get 10 to 14 teaspoons of a water added soupie made from EVO canned Beef.
10-20 crunchies a day (Superior Choice Natural/Fancy Feast Gourmet kibble pieces)
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
Franken Prey-Most easily available Raw diet to aquire for ferrets in my area. . .
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
Better health odds. I want to give my guys every chance to stay healthy. I am a big believer in Raw and more holistic animal care overall.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
Started to feed EVO when Tweek became ill after a lot of research on ferret nutrition. Then I researched Dogs. Switched the Dogs over to Franken Prey before the pet food fiasco in 2006. My ferrets always resisted the change. Had Arte who switched himself to Franken Prey with his EGE. He did so well even ill I want to give it another try with my current ferrets. Clyde was a big reason I never pushed the switch since he was always more fragile in my mind (and every time he tasted raw meat he would gag ) Garrison I figured I could eventually win over-Not sure with Twig.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Garrison-3.7 pounds not overweight-but not well toned.
Mr Twig-3.7 pounds not overweight-more toned.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums?
Garrison-good-normal wear-but due to soupie intake gums are getting a red line around tooth line and starting to retract. Possible dental needed within a year.
Mr Twig-Good (can you get a picture?)Pics will come when my camera is up a running again sorry. . .
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Garrison-shiny soft. Not as fine as some ferrets on TF I know-but not rough and brittle. I am happy with it.
Mr Twig-Dry, rough. He was eating Marshall’s before I adopted him on March 8th ,2009.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
Both go every 3-4 hours. More often if I p*ss them off, to give me the message.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
The Feces only smells when Garrison is having an IBD flare up.
Urine Smell relatively nonexistent-usually sweet smells.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Both smell slightly skunky and very grape kool aid’ish.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!"
what is your ferret's energy level?
Both are at a 5-6 right now.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Exceptionally excited!
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
I have tried with Garrison.
We tried powdered kibble on ground beef, turkey and chicken, as well as on Cornish game hen pieces, and chicken wing pieces. Not all at once.
We tried ‘tone on all these things as well.
Tried putting chunks large and small in kibble dish with kibble.
Tried withholding food for 24 hours.
Tried chunks in soupie.
Tried whole pinky mice.
Tried opened picky mice.
Tried forcing pieces into mouth for taste on all types of food. That just illicits gags.
Only success with Garrison has been to sneak micro sized meatballs into luke warm soupie. Too big a meat ball and he will not eat any of it. Beef is getting the best response so far.
Twig is new to meat. We were trying even smaller micro meatballs. At this point Twig is eating the same size meatballs as Garrison in his soupie, again beef.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
I lost my first ferret Tweek to GI based lymphoma at 2 years old.
I lost Arte to complications of severe EGE. EGE as severe as his usually claims its victims in 6-8 months. The evolution of his medications helped, but his diet made him able to be medicated. I feel his eating raw kept him alive longer than many with EGE.
My Clyde just passed away from kidney shutdown after a short battle with cardiomyopathy.
Garrison is in a flare up right now with the recent losses (in the last month) of Arte and Clyde as well as the addition of Twig. He is a little flat-but coping well since he chose Mr Twig to be his friend.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
I will post some of both ASAP.
17.
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least every other day?**
I do-see below Note 1
b.) Do you understand that if you will be away from your computer for an extended period of time you will need to exchange phone numbers (or email addresses if you don't feel comfortable exchanging numbers)via private message with your assigned mentor, so that we can monitor your progress and ensure your ferret's safety during the switch?
I will do so.
c.) Do you understand that any threads that have not been updated in for more than a week (with no explanation as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***
Yes
**Note 1: If you are unable to make it to a computer (such as on weekends) please indicate below so we know whether you just don’t have computer access or if you have gone MIA.
I am typically offline on weekends. I also have some extended times where I can only hit a computer (for personal use) every 3-4 days at best. I will share my info with my mentor and inform all when I am gone.
***Note 2: If you would like to try the switch again and you are committed to making regular updates you ARE welcome to restart your thread. Failure to provide regular updates will result in the deletion of your thread.
1. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names, ages, genders, and do they have any health problems (this is VERY important)?
Garrison 6-6-06 MN MF. Dark Sable Mild IBD. Responding to Red Bites EVO and Beef EVO soupie. Stress causes flare ups as well as poultry.
Mr Twig 4-23-08 MN MF. Silver Shetland. No known health issues. No problems on Garrison’s diet so far.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They are both eating a 70/30 mix of EVO Red Bites/EVO Reduced Fat (left over from Clyde) kibble. ¼-1/2 cups each daily.
Both get 10 to 14 teaspoons of a water added soupie made from EVO canned Beef.
10-20 crunchies a day (Superior Choice Natural/Fancy Feast Gourmet kibble pieces)
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
Franken Prey-Most easily available Raw diet to aquire for ferrets in my area. . .
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
Better health odds. I want to give my guys every chance to stay healthy. I am a big believer in Raw and more holistic animal care overall.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
Started to feed EVO when Tweek became ill after a lot of research on ferret nutrition. Then I researched Dogs. Switched the Dogs over to Franken Prey before the pet food fiasco in 2006. My ferrets always resisted the change. Had Arte who switched himself to Franken Prey with his EGE. He did so well even ill I want to give it another try with my current ferrets. Clyde was a big reason I never pushed the switch since he was always more fragile in my mind (and every time he tasted raw meat he would gag ) Garrison I figured I could eventually win over-Not sure with Twig.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Garrison-3.7 pounds not overweight-but not well toned.
Mr Twig-3.7 pounds not overweight-more toned.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums?
Garrison-good-normal wear-but due to soupie intake gums are getting a red line around tooth line and starting to retract. Possible dental needed within a year.
Mr Twig-Good (can you get a picture?)Pics will come when my camera is up a running again sorry. . .
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Garrison-shiny soft. Not as fine as some ferrets on TF I know-but not rough and brittle. I am happy with it.
Mr Twig-Dry, rough. He was eating Marshall’s before I adopted him on March 8th ,2009.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
Both go every 3-4 hours. More often if I p*ss them off, to give me the message.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
The Feces only smells when Garrison is having an IBD flare up.
Urine Smell relatively nonexistent-usually sweet smells.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Both smell slightly skunky and very grape kool aid’ish.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!"
what is your ferret's energy level?
Both are at a 5-6 right now.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Exceptionally excited!
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
I have tried with Garrison.
We tried powdered kibble on ground beef, turkey and chicken, as well as on Cornish game hen pieces, and chicken wing pieces. Not all at once.
We tried ‘tone on all these things as well.
Tried putting chunks large and small in kibble dish with kibble.
Tried withholding food for 24 hours.
Tried chunks in soupie.
Tried whole pinky mice.
Tried opened picky mice.
Tried forcing pieces into mouth for taste on all types of food. That just illicits gags.
Only success with Garrison has been to sneak micro sized meatballs into luke warm soupie. Too big a meat ball and he will not eat any of it. Beef is getting the best response so far.
Twig is new to meat. We were trying even smaller micro meatballs. At this point Twig is eating the same size meatballs as Garrison in his soupie, again beef.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
I lost my first ferret Tweek to GI based lymphoma at 2 years old.
I lost Arte to complications of severe EGE. EGE as severe as his usually claims its victims in 6-8 months. The evolution of his medications helped, but his diet made him able to be medicated. I feel his eating raw kept him alive longer than many with EGE.
My Clyde just passed away from kidney shutdown after a short battle with cardiomyopathy.
Garrison is in a flare up right now with the recent losses (in the last month) of Arte and Clyde as well as the addition of Twig. He is a little flat-but coping well since he chose Mr Twig to be his friend.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
I will post some of both ASAP.
17.
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least every other day?**
I do-see below Note 1
b.) Do you understand that if you will be away from your computer for an extended period of time you will need to exchange phone numbers (or email addresses if you don't feel comfortable exchanging numbers)via private message with your assigned mentor, so that we can monitor your progress and ensure your ferret's safety during the switch?
I will do so.
c.) Do you understand that any threads that have not been updated in for more than a week (with no explanation as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***
Yes
**Note 1: If you are unable to make it to a computer (such as on weekends) please indicate below so we know whether you just don’t have computer access or if you have gone MIA.
I am typically offline on weekends. I also have some extended times where I can only hit a computer (for personal use) every 3-4 days at best. I will share my info with my mentor and inform all when I am gone.
***Note 2: If you would like to try the switch again and you are committed to making regular updates you ARE welcome to restart your thread. Failure to provide regular updates will result in the deletion of your thread.