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Post by Heather on Jul 26, 2009 23:10:20 GMT -5
I had a cat who perpetually asked to go out in the rain...then was totally p***ed about being wet. Cat are just that Cats No one really understands them, we just pretend we do Good luck with the rabbit. If they don't want to try it, try mixing a small amount of rabbit with their regular food. Just enough for you to know that it's there, not them As they get more comfortable with it, increase the amount of rabbit, until they're eating just rabbit and presto...you've added another protein source. Yes, rabbit is hugely expensive. I'm in the process of trying to find a reliable source of rabbit right now. My guys really like it. ciao
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Post by Heather on Jul 31, 2009 12:00:09 GMT -5
I know that you're not really in the market for another fert but...Randy just sent me this in and well....who knows I hope everyone is doing well and you and your furbabies are enjoying this lovely weather. **It is now official. FAS is now hosting 2 adoptathons, at 2 locations on 2 separate dates. Dozens of friendly lovable ferrets are in need of safe forever homes. Toronto West Aug.9th, 11 am -3 pm Toronto East Aug.15th 11am - 3 pm All viewings are by appointment only. To book an appointment, email shelterferrets@hotmail.com or leave a message at 416.251.4333 ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Aug 7, 2009 21:54:52 GMT -5
Oh I'd been secretly checking out the FAS website the whole time. Both my hubby and our vet know me... any creature who comes through the front door of our house is staying. and they are adamant that we're not bring in new ferts until we're sure that Gadget's pneumonia is under control... I can't really argue with that when they put it that way Everyone's settling into their new routine. Now it takes me twice as long to get home from work, the day just never seem long enough. After we get all the creatures fed and tickled tired, I'm pretty pooped myself. Sorry I haven't got a chance to sit down at the computer and catch up. The new meat experiment went as I expected; Gadget ate whatever we put in front of him, Tassy could tell the difference with the slightest trace of pork and wouldn't eat unless we spoon fed him. But it might also coincide with his bout of upset belly so I'm not sure. It's pretty weird... we change their cage before their bed time. Over the course of a day there's usually 3-5 poops between the two of them. Only one of them would be green and bubbly while the other ones are normal and it's been like that for the pass few days.... So someone, I think it's Tassy has a nasty poo once a day but other times he's normal? I don't get it.... have you seen anything like that? Do I have to start worrying about IBD now??? Looks like it's gonna be a muggy yucky weekend. But at least it's more like summer. Have a good one! Will definitey try to be better and check in more often. <hugs>
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Post by Heather on Aug 7, 2009 22:29:14 GMT -5
It's great to see that you're checking out the FAS site...even if it's secretly It's ok, Gadget is going to get better, so eventually.... If you remember that's how things were before, I think I remember you asking me if Tassy would ever give up eating off the spoon. The fact that he's eating it is great. Check out sherrylynne's brat...she's just started a thread in general information. He's been eating raw for over a year and it shows her introducing new meat with the little bum in a full scruff and stuff....some fuzzies hate change. They will accept it eventually Really I have a couple with those odd once a day poopies...Genghis and Thor both have icky poopies but neither is less active nor are they loosing weight. I'm choosing to observe. You could take a sample in for culture to eliminate a bacterial infections but the way I look at it it's only once or twice during the day...I'm going to watch and do nothing. You will have to make the call with what you're comfortable with, but if Tassy's not loosing weight and the poopies are usually formed....I wouldn't think it's IBD, they get really sick when they get an attack.. You really keep a good eye on your furbaby, if he gets sick then you look at it as a symptom of many...right now it's only one. Is it something he ate resently? Have a great weekend, you and your guys stay cool and enjoy our first summer weekend of the year. ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Aug 12, 2009 16:27:56 GMT -5
Hmm.... scruffing for food introduction... Tassy is not going to like that He's really stubborn that way. He's been alternating between eating really well by himself and needing spoon feeding. Our latest theory is that he's ADHD (more so than your average fuzzbutts, if that's possible ) and he cannot have ANY distraction when he's eating. We put him in the feeding den and he's good for awhile. So we started going about our business - loading the dishwasher, cleaning their cage, whatever. The little nosy bugger will run out to check out what the noise is all about. So hubby and I did this experiment - we put him in the den, and we just sat and wait. Sure enough, if we were moving around, Tassy just stayed and finished his meal, bowl licked clean and all. Gadget is getting his deslorelin implant tomorrow. We don't really know if he's really adrenal, but the balding fat belly is worrisome. We know that he's had his left adrenalactomy just before we adopted him. With his pneumonia, we're not even going to consider surgery. We gotta keep a close eye on him to see if the implant is doing anything for him. We just noticed that Tassy is losing fur on his tail... uh-oh. Maybe it's just a summer shedding thing? Deep down, I don't think so.... more surgery for my babies <sigh> Yeah, I agree, I probably won't do much about the poopie situation. Like you said, Tassy's not losing weight or anything and it's only once a day. I just don't know much about IBD so I don't even know what to look for. But I'm glad to know THIS is probably not it. It's nastily hot outside. And I'm supposed to go running with a group.... what the heck was I thinking??? Have a good one. Talk to you soon!
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Post by Heather on Aug 13, 2009 0:31:25 GMT -5
Hmmm, a little distractable lol You know I have a couple of guys who every summer loose the hair on their tails...not naked...just not a lush full tail. They always grow these beautiful tails back once they get their winter coats. Nicodemus is the only one who doesn't he's my little fert from down under He's actually a marshals but he's confused. He puts on his beautiful dark winter coat with this gorgeous tail on in the spring. He then gets his spring coat on come September, along with a sparse tail . I will hope that your little fellow has just a summer tail and that he gets a beautiful full hairy tail come fall. I can't believe that you're going for a run in this weather.... I really must question your sanity Make sure you bring plenty of water, drink often....and enjoy yourself. Give your little ones a big hug and take care. Talk at you soon ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Aug 15, 2009 6:57:50 GMT -5
We were sorting through all our pictures on the new computer and we saw Tassy's baby pictures - well they're from a year ago and he looked so tiny! In his full winter coat, Tassy's such a fluff ball. I really hope he's just getting a summer tail and not adrenal. He's our only non-adrenal baby. He does have all these blackheads on his tail though. Maybe I should exfoliate him? Or maybe one of those pore-clearing sticky nose strips... kidding. But seriously, is there anything I can do to help his tail out? Gadgy didn't get his implant on Thursday. Our vet is on vacation but he thought we'd all done the research already and the only question now is to put it in. So he just leave a note for another vet to put it in, no big deal. Well turns out if it's an imported, "experimental" drug, the primary vet has to fill out all these paperwork and follow the case from the get go.... so we'll have to wait 10 more days until our vet comes back. We got a couple of Nina Ottosson dog puzzles from Woofstock a couple of months back, hoping to have something to entertain the cats. It's a 3-tier dog bone shaped tray that they have to spin to get to the treat. But the cats couldn't figure it out, even my most gluttonous girl, Polgara. They lost interest so we just put it away. Decide to break it out again last night and tried a different treat. This time I put chicken jerky it and the cats only ate the ones they can see. Next thing you know, Tassy was hovering over this thing, spinning the trays to get to the jerky like it's nobody's business!! I always suspect that ferrets are smarter than cats... c'mon kitties! Use that brain mass! Your heads are, like, 3 times as big! Well we're going to try ground pork again this weekend. I'll try sneaking it in first but we might have to try sherrylynn's way, just to get the little guy to try it. Will let you know how it goes! Yes, I'm nuts running in this heat. And I'm doing it again!! People always tell me that there's something addictive about running and sweat. I didn't believe then until I had a taste of that endorphin rush . Enjoy a real summer weekend! Will check in with you later!
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Post by Heather on Aug 15, 2009 21:12:22 GMT -5
For summer tail, I just leave it. You can wash it, some use zit cream...I don't know though, I'd hate for them to lick it Is Gadget on deslorin?? The ferrets figuring out puzzles that cats cannot does not surprise me. I've got several of the guys who know how to open cupboard doors, Odin knows how open the trash bin (he's my trashmonkey), his original name was Blizzard. He was found in the garbage bin behind Dairy Queen. Mad Max figured out how to pull out the filter out of the fish tank. He also figured out how to push boxes and food dens around so that he can get up on chairs and then onto the table. What a pain Running...ok?? Have fun Take it easy, and don't run too far in this heat. ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Aug 16, 2009 13:52:47 GMT -5
These little fuzzbutts are too smart for their own good. But then again, the smarts are probably what's keeping abandoned ferts like Odin alive. At least he knows to forage from the trash to fill his tummy. Poor little guy. I still can't believe how low poeple will sink to get rid of their "unwanted pets".... No, Gadget is not on deslorelin yet. The implant is sitting in our vet's office, waiting for him to fill out the paperwork before we can put it in Gadgy. We have an appointment 10 days from Monday. Will keep you posted. Tassy seems to be a little off since yesterday. He's playing but he's also speedbumping a lot. This morning he was in the litter box for a bit longer than usual and he let out a little whimper when he finally produce a poopie. It's kinda loose, bright orange (we checked, pretty sure it's not blood) and holy stinky! He had another stinky, gassy poop just now. I'm not sure what he'd gotten into or what he might have eaten that he shouldn't have. But I'm kinda suspecting the chicken jerky binge from the dog toy yesterday might be catching up with him... now I feel terrible. The little guy really enjoyed the jerky but it looks like it's not agreeing with his tummy. But then again, he eats raw chicken everyday, how can chicken jerky not agree with him??? In any case, I'm going to put some extra pumpkin in his dinner tonight and see if that helps. Running in this heat is no fun. Our group went out at 8:30 this morning and apparently that's not early enough. Hubby almost got heat stroke... Gonna lay low with the kids for the rest of the day. Enjoy the heat! check in with you soon!
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Post by Heather on Aug 16, 2009 16:50:33 GMT -5
Hmm, sounds like the jerky might have upset his tummy... I wonder if it's not necessarily the jerky but the combination of jerky and the heat. Ferrets spend so much time very close to dehyration, the jerky would require extra moisture which at this point may not be available from his body. I agree, it looks like pumpkin might indeed be a viable option. Speaking of hydration....heat stroke that's no fun. Be careful running in this stuff. You're going to have to start running at 6 if you want to beat the heat. It was quite nice yesterday at 5 Not that I wanted to watch the sunrise Oh, the joys of weekend shows Good luck, look after Tassy and give the boys a hug from me ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Aug 18, 2009 21:08:59 GMT -5
We ran out of our usual homemade chicken mix last night, so we hit Loblaws for some emergency ground chicken for their breakfast this morning. They didn't have any chicken hearts and the livers looked awful. So we figured, one day of just muscle meat is not going to hurt the ferts. Well, guess who turned their noses up to the sub-par, mass market, non-organic chicken? It might be the lack of offals, bones, or both. But both Gadgy and Tassy rather go hungry than eating substitute chicken. What a bunch prima donna! To make up for their disappointing breakfast, we provided entertainment for the twosome instead. Check out the sillies playing with the ice floes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdgR8dfyvzkThe dark one is Tassy, the silver blaze is Gadget
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Post by Heather on Aug 18, 2009 22:35:46 GMT -5
Picky little sods Not an unusual reaction though. I love the playing in the cubes. Looks like they're having fun...got to wonder about snorkeling in iced water....talk about headache You're guys are so cute. My guys aren't going to be real happy tomorrow...it's bath day. ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Aug 19, 2009 20:24:20 GMT -5
Got some fresh chicken and we'd decided to grind things up with the coarsest grind plate this time. Definitely easier on the machine (and my poor arm). Meat is chunkier and you can identify the liver and heart bits. Tassy is not taking too well to the change of texture. He's only eating half of his usual portion and wouldn't eat a bite more even from a spoon. Gadget is easygoing and he ate like a good boy. But he got one really watery diarrhea poop at play time this evening. Can change of food texture do that? There's no runny poop in the cage so I'm hoping it's a one shot upset tummy. How did bath go with the business? Bathing 16 furkids must be a full day event. I have to use all the towels in the house just to dry off 2! Do you just have friends over for lunch and start an assembly line? Hmmm, I'm fascinated by this like people are fascinated by Jon and Kate.... Thank goodness it's finally cooled off. We leave the AC on for the kids during the day and I'm starting to wince at the electricity bill. The kids tend to find open windows more fun than closed ones anyways.... Take care. Talk to you soon!
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Post by Heather on Aug 19, 2009 22:39:22 GMT -5
The different texture won't likely be the cause unless it's caused by stress, but what he chose to eat and not eat might. He may have eaten more meat or got more meat and organs...less bone, this might possibly be the reason for the loose poopies. The bathing went quite well. I started at 11 am and took a break at 1:30 (first play group was complete) and started the next group at 2:30 and was finished by 4. There were some rather ticked off fuzzies and a lot of poofy tails and a lot of wet towels but things went well The nice thing about ferrets is unlike dogs and cats they dry themselves . I really wish I'd taken some pics but there was just too much water flying around. I've still got the a/c running but it's more to keep things dry than cooler. Yes, open windows and screen doors are much more interesting. I swear there is nothing more curious than a ferret, they even outdo cats in that catagory Talk at you later, let me know if Gadget continues with the liquid poopies. ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Sept 20, 2009 15:16:37 GMT -5
Sorry we'd been MIA for so long. Work is stupid busy and I have a hard time to find 2 seconds together to just look at stuff on the internet.... Since we're last here, Tassy and Gadget are doing okay. We just went to the vet last week. Gadget had his chest x-ray. The infection seems to be mostly gone but there's also seems to be some scarring in his lungs.... he's finally off Baytril (after 10 weeks!!!) and we're going to bring him back for another x-ray in a few weeks to make sure the infection is indeed gone. Tassy's tail fur is getting pretty sparse. I'm still hoping it's summer tail but deep down I know it's most likely adrenal. We had a chat with our vet and we're going to watch for other signs of adrenal - if things get worse, we're either going to go in for surgery or we go for the deslorelin (Gadget's belly fur is not getting any balder, so we decided not to put an implant in him. Try not to mess with his hormones if we don't need to). They are still doing well with their raw chicken diet, but Tassy is being increasingly fussy these days. The feeding dens helped for a while but now most days he needs to be spoon fed. He's still having those once a day mucous-y, bubbly poopies. Usually when we let him out to play (the poops in the cage are almost always formed) I don't get it.... To top off our busy week, we had a cat following us home last week. The poor guy was absolutely starving. He inhaled a whole cup of cat food as soon as we put it down! We hid him in the basement, away from our other kids. But the cats knew there's a stowaway in the basement and the 3 of them just meowed at each other all day long through the door. Thank goodness someone saw our posted sign and came to claim him after 3 days. Turns out he'd been missing for 2 weeks. You should see the little boy's face when he was reunited with his buddy.... totally made my day. I had a chat with our kids: first of all, don't get lost. But if you do find yourself stranded, find a family with a bleeding heart, follow them home, be as adorable as you can be and hopefully they'll help you find your way home... How are your guys doing? Hope everyone is like the crisp fall weather and have fond memories of the mild summer. Take care! Talk to you soon!
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