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Post by Heather on Jun 14, 2009 12:01:41 GMT -5
I love it They're adorable. I love the little hoodies. I'm glad that you're already seeing a difference...well...smelling a difference If you figure how to get the smell of the mice down let me know You can imagine the number of mice I have to keep to keep 15 ferrets happy Can you find a supplier for rats? That would give your guys 1 more prey animal that they could eat. Rabbit would another. As your guys are really into prey, and it really is the ultimate diet for them....unfortunately, at least for me it's a very expensive outlay. I don't know if it would be any more expensive than say a commercially bought diet... You may want to create a soupy just so that you have something that you can feed when they're sick. My guys get a regular rotation of ground, frankenprey and prey so I don't ever really worry about feeding them when they're ill. They're used to the consistency of mush...you still have to force feed sometimes but at least your only fighting the battle of the di-sease not them not understanding the consistency of the food as well. Ferrets are rather texture driven too. Are you still feeding kibble? I will check in with you later ciao
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lilac
Newbie
The most precious treasure of all is friendship, so keep it locked away.
Posts: 28
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Post by lilac on Jun 17, 2009 3:37:25 GMT -5
There is kibble but they have not eaten that for a few days. They have been eating chicken and I ran out of that... I bought 2 jumbo rats and that is the last time I do that. I am use to american jumbo rats. I got them frozen with 2 fuzzy mice. Well Sjors took his fuzzy mouse and I did not know what he did with it. He kept trying to get his brothers mouse and eating that too. Sjors steals all the treats and food from his brother. Not nice. But last night Sjors was trying to throw up. He was clawing at the ground and just vomit white stuff. I did not know what was wrong. Then I clean it up and seen a mouse foot. So I picked up Sjors, felt his belly and he swallowed the mouse whole... wow that was new... No more small mice for him. Sjimmie he eat the head off but Sjors... Sjors acted like he was starving. There is kibble but he will not eat it. As for the rat. The rat it self is almost half the size of my boys. I took photos on my phone, so I have to see about getting that on here to show you. They will not eat it. Well I had to cut it a bit today and Sjimmie started to eat, But Sjors trys to run from it. I guess what happen with the small mouse scared him. He might be thinking " O my god it is a mouse on steroids"... LOL It was funny watching them try to move it and hide it in small places. I might have to cut the rat up. I have no problem with that. My boyfriend on the other had has a problem with it. 1 it is a dead rat and 2 he hate to cut things up. Chicken is ok if it is from the store, but one with a head.. nope not my man..... Funny is he... hahaha. Well I am off to cut a rat up. O as for the price. I got 2 for the price of 1. so in dollars it is 6 for 2 jumbo rats at about 360 grams each. the small fuzzy mice were 1$ for 2. they come in about 2 grams each... bit small for my boys but at least I know where to get them. Shipping was too much for me. Next time I am going to their store and buying it that way. It is the best store here in holland for pray foods for ferrets, cats, bird of pray, dogs and ,more... So if any one knows the language here it is www.prooidier.nl My own mice is coming along... At least I now know to let my mice grow larger then a fuzzy. I hope Sjors does not swallow it whole again. That was scary. To see him like that. Well as soon as I get my photos off my phone, I will post them. Have a great Wednesday! Lilac
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Post by Heather on Jun 17, 2009 12:04:59 GMT -5
Greedy little boy He may just be unsure about the rat, maybe watching his brother will entice him to look at the rat as a meal. Don't let him go too long without eating. His tummy may still be a little upset too. Watch for blockage, I sure his system was never meant to absorb a whole mouse . I have to admit, I've never encountered that before. Poor little boy, maybe he won't be so keen to wolf down his food next time Your boyfriend sounds like my son and husband....they can't deal with the prey thing...it's ok to watch the furbrats eat whole meats and ground stuff but my husband had an absolute fit when he reached into the sleep box and came out with part of a rat, instead of a ferret. Thor and Odin thought that they might have some bedsnacks Then there was the time that the furbrats decided to leave their dinner in the middle of the hallway...at least it was still in one piece It is lacking a tail as Lady "B" Itchy has stolen it to use as dental floss Maybe, it's a man thing. I've heard a number of people complain that their partners aren't up to the whole prey thing. Neat site. I can't read the words but by looking at the pics and knowing a little I can get the jist of it. My son was totally grossed out by the rat sausages...or at least I think that's what they were. Dead rats are one thing....ground up dead rats something entirely different. Poor guys...squimish Keep me up on how Sjors is doing. You may have to make a soupy to get him started on eating again. Keep a close eye on him. ciao
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lilac
Newbie
The most precious treasure of all is friendship, so keep it locked away.
Posts: 28
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Post by lilac on Jul 5, 2009 4:56:15 GMT -5
Sorry that I have not ben on. I have been going to school and working now. So my time online is very short.
Since my last up date about Sjors he started eating and all is fine untill yesterday. He started to act funny in a way that is not good. he started late last night by throwing up and it is just foum. today he is very weak and can hardly hold his head up to drink. the last time i had this my friend died a few hours later.
i do not know what is wrong with him... i am going to call the vet tomorrow do to the fact it is sunday and no one is in. i also do not have to money for an emergency appointment. i will talk to the vet tomorrow about what is going one. Sjors has also in the last few days lost the hair on his tail, attacking his brother, attaking me for no reason what so ever.
his behavior has changed for the worst. when i talk to the vet i will see what is going on with him and if he dies before hand,... i will get a search done to find out why his behavior has changed.
i under stand if i did some thing wrong and he bites me, but to just put my hand on th ground and have him run up to me a just attack me like that is not right. one day he is playfull and licking my hand and the next he stricks me several times and now i have the scars. not normal.
i fear for the worst.
i have put Sjimmie in the other cage just to keep them apart.
Sjors is weak and i have soup for him. just that he is sleeping and not getting up is what i do not like.
i do not know if i can get online in the week with school and my job, but if you or anyone would like to know here is my email and mobile....
lilacriverbrook@gmail.com
country code 31 636270620 is my mobile..... it is on all the time for my kids in california.
i will do what i can to post about Sjors.
my the goddess bless him in his time of need.
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Post by Heather on Jul 5, 2009 8:35:26 GMT -5
It sounds like your little friend may have a couple of problems but have you noticed if he's using the litter box?? Is he urinating? It sounds like an enlarged prostate and he can't pee. Is his tummy hard and distended? He may have adrenal, the enlarged prostate is part of the problem with the little boys. The reason why he attacked you (this doesn't always happen) is he is in pain and his system is shutting down. He needs to see a vet ASAP. The only other thing that comes to mind is a blockage of some sort...again, he's in a lot of pain and you would notice again if this is a fact by him not being able to use the litter box. Try and get him to the vet as soon as you, can both problems are very painful and will cause death . He may also have a urinary track infection (easily fixed with antibiotics. I'm no vet so I'm only guessing and offering suggestions. I will light a healing candle for Sjors. May the Goddess guard and protect him and ease his pain. We've lost too many little ones this week , myself included. Good luck to you and your little one, may it be nothing serious and easily fixed. Keep in touch, my private email is standingoak@xplornet.com. I'm working today but I will be back on line tonight. ciao ciao
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lilac
Newbie
The most precious treasure of all is friendship, so keep it locked away.
Posts: 28
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Post by lilac on Jul 6, 2009 10:23:25 GMT -5
I did take him in right after I wrote the up date. He is now in the rainbow bridge.
I hurt so much. It is good I have the next few days off.
I will know what causes this in a few months. I requested a search to find out what happened, how it happen and what i can do for the future of all the health of the ferrets.
I just hope that Sjimmie wont fall into depression and loose him too.
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Post by Heather on Jul 6, 2009 11:08:38 GMT -5
It is amazing how something so small can ferret their way into your heart and take so much with it when they leave . I'm sorry that you lost your precious little one, it is so difficult. Attila died suddenly last week, a massive coronary...he had been enjoying life and playing and being a big pain, I went to work and when I went to see them in their room 4 hrs later he was dead. He must of died just after I put him in the room Yes, I can certainly understand your grief. Did you allow your other little one to say goodbye? I know it's a little late now but I've found it makes a huge difference in their grieving process. I've had less of them go into that deep depression that seems to occur when their mates pass on before them. Little Mischief was the only one where I had to resort to drastic action. I had no one for him to love (he was a sick ferret to begin with he came to me with shelter shock, ulcers and IBD) After being left, being placed in a shelter, them moved to my place, finding his bestest friend and then loosing her (all within 3 months) he just curled up and decided to die. I emailed a friend who runs a huge rescue center but she couldn't help me, so I took him to a pet store and they let me put him in with the babies. They had to have 10 of the little furries. He chose his kit, I bought him and they were inseperable until the day that Mischief died about 18 months later. Napoleon is the only kit that I've ever bought that wasn't a rescue. Watch your little one, give him extra hugs (I'm sure I don't have to tell you this), make sure that he's eating and drinking and see if you can entice him to play. Good luck and I will be talking at you later. ciao
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lilac
Newbie
The most precious treasure of all is friendship, so keep it locked away.
Posts: 28
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Post by lilac on Jul 6, 2009 12:38:20 GMT -5
I did not take him with me. I thought that might go bad. He is hiding at the moment, but I have found someone that needs to get rid of his 2 ferrets and i contacted him if i caould have them. 1 is a 1 year old male also siamise color and an 8 year old female of the same color. Sjimmie loves all ferrets and i know by getting them he will be happy.
i am doing what i can to make sure he stays happy.
thank you for your kindness.
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Post by Heather on Jul 6, 2009 17:30:41 GMT -5
Good luck, I hope that you're able to get these new ones. One thing to watch, and again I'm sure you will, that the new ones who have already bonded don't leave poor Sjimmie on the outside of all their fun. I hope that they all get together wonderfully and that everything works out. Good luck ciao
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lilac
Newbie
The most precious treasure of all is friendship, so keep it locked away.
Posts: 28
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Post by lilac on Jul 26, 2009 5:47:36 GMT -5
sorry that i have not updated, but i did get Luca (lou kaa) and Chicka (chee kaa). Chicka is 7 years old taught ferreting and is the mother of Luca. Luca is 1 year old and fixed. Both was raised on the best ferret foods along with mice and rats. Some times they got rabbit. As for Sjimmie he still eats his mice.
The only sad thing is, is that Sjimmie has become a bully, but losses against Luca. Luca is bigger by length and weight. I keep Chicka away do to the fact that she is smaller then a normal female. She is no bigger then a large/jumbo rat. I call her my pocket ferret. Soo cute.
I have 2 cages right next to each other so they can get the smell from one and other. Sjimmie is let loose first, cause he dose not paly. Has really never did. So I let him out and when he goes back on his own to his cage I close it and then let the other 2 loose. I do know that Luca and Sjimmie will fight for a while. They have already and sjimmie got beaten. I think that Sjimmie just did not under stand what to do. Luca tried to play and I personal think that Sjimmie believed he was being attacked. From then one he kept of attacking the 2 new ferrets. After a week has passed I let him and Luca loose to see what would happen and really nothing bad. Just a lot of rolling and biting and noises. not bad to the point there was screaming. Screaming is the sound of pain. that is a sound i have never liked. it is like a baby screaming when it hurt.
I will post photo when i can. i hope that every one has a nice vacation.
Cheers, Lilac
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lilac
Newbie
The most precious treasure of all is friendship, so keep it locked away.
Posts: 28
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Post by lilac on Jul 26, 2009 5:54:13 GMT -5
ooo i almost for got. the autopsy came back. he had 5 small tumors on his left kidney and a very large on the right that was 3 inches in diameter. apparently he also had adrenal disease, but just got very big in such a short time. i found out that it is normal for it to just grow large in just hours. sjors has gone to the ferret resource center here in Holland. To help the future vets in the health and understanding of the ferrets special problems that could arise.
this will help all ferrets. i for one is happy to know that what i did was the right choice. i was also told that even with surgery there was no way sjors could live.
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Post by Heather on Jul 26, 2009 8:15:22 GMT -5
I'm glad that you decided to get an autopsy done. As hard as it is sometimes to allow the vets to do exploratories after our little ones have passed, each time they do they learn more. This helps our little ones the next time. I'm sorry that Sjors passed but he's teaching other vets and maybe some time they will be able to help the next little furchild. When I was working with the one vet she knew very little but worked so hard with my guys. If one passed on and she was on at the time then she would do this to learn. At first she was concerned about my reaction to this but she soon learned that I wanted her to learn how to better treat my guys. She always very neatly stitched up my guys so they could be buried in the memorial garden in front of the kennel, under the oak trees. Integration of ferrets can be stressful for all parties, human and ferret alike. Sjimmie probably can't understand the play habits of the younger ferret as he's used to Sjors. Screaming is a communication, not necessarily a message of pain. Ferret skin is very thick and they take a lot of roughing before it actually becomes a problem. When integrating fuzzies I usually go on the no pee, no poop policy. Screaming is just part of the communication and setting of boundries (I watch but often don't interfere as sometimes this can actually make things worse as ferrets keep a social hyerachy and these things must be worked out. I've got a couple who scream even when they're having fun. The higher degree of fun the louder it gets One of the problems of having 3 deaf ferrets in the one play group If you have screaming and poofy tails things are going ok. If you have screaming, poofy tails and poopies or pee...then someone is overly stressed and the situation needs to be re-evaluated. Fun-Go my one DEW is deaf and gives all the wrong signals, both physically and verbally....so he can't be integrated into my excisting business. He now has his own business with a harem . My primary playgroup, has 1 female (Lady "B" Itchy)....she is the dominant ferret and she has no tolerance for any other female, so all the other girls are now in the secondary playgroup...so Fun-Go is really happy I hope that you are able to get everyone to play well together. Sometimes it's just a matter of time and some patience. Good luck ciao
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