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Post by tommy on Jun 18, 2010 2:12:36 GMT -5
Fell asleep last night right after finishing this: thisisnaive.com/?p=4042 More Ferry pictures but you all know the news anyway!
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Post by tommy on Jun 18, 2010 4:34:08 GMT -5
When I cleaned out her cage this morning, I noticed that she had poo but did not bother cleaning herself. Is this normal? I thought that ferrets like keeping clean and she usually does. I also noticed that Ferry has put on quite a bit of weight and that is probably not so good for her condition as it's concentrated on her lower body. I've tried to feed her less at each meal but she finishes everything and looks forlornly at her food bowl. Should I just leave her to get used to it? If I look at her, I'll feel like giving her more food!
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Post by tommy on Jun 18, 2010 5:51:40 GMT -5
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Post by Heather on Jun 18, 2010 12:50:14 GMT -5
I couldn't get the page to pull up for me. I'm guessing some sort of technical problems (hey, I"m computer illiterate ) As far as the food thing...she's going to be trying to make up for lost time and such. I don't know if I would be cutting her back or not. I know that with her spinal issues and such would make one want to hold her weight lower but with her having been left in season so long She's going to need that nutritional boost. Jennifer, what do you think?....Heather (lorelei)?? I'm still in the learning part about this whole season thing so I don't know Is there a way to boost her whole system nutritionally so that she can recover better from being left in season for so long? ciao
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Post by tommy on Jun 18, 2010 17:11:15 GMT -5
Here it is again! Attachments:
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Post by tommy on Jun 18, 2010 17:11:39 GMT -5
And her close-up. Attachments:
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Post by Heather on Jun 18, 2010 22:34:36 GMT -5
It appears to be going down, at least according to some photos that I have I've made some inquiries about her diet and what you can possibly add that would improve her health after being in season for so long. I've also asked if she should be allowed to eat more to make up for the loss of strength and health or should you regulate her diet so that it doesn't add extra stress on her damaged spine. ciao
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Post by tommy on Jun 19, 2010 5:54:29 GMT -5
Thanks! Whenever I'm expressing her bladder, I find it hard to distinguish between her belly and her bladder. And I noticed a lot of dragging of back body so I was wondering if she was getting too heavy. She hasn't been finishing all her food yesterday and this morning so maybe she is self-moderating. Her poo is especially watery though.
I'll also been trying to stimulate her to urine with a warm, moist kitchen towel/tissue and am managing to get some urine out. Then I check and express the rest.
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Post by Heather on Jun 19, 2010 20:22:58 GMT -5
Ok, just picked up the message. It was suggested regarding care, has she been checked out for ear mites (this might throw her balance)? Has the vet offered a steroid injection to take down the swelling around the injured areas, allowing her greater mobility and maybe able to better express her bladder? Do you know what the supposed age of the little jill? Is she old enough to have adrenal, meaning are they absolutely sure she's not spayed? This might account for the appearance of not coming out of season. Adrenal has the same swelling of the vulva. Regarding diet....it's been mentioned that the little jill is attempting to lay down fat as she's unsure as to when and how much her next meal is coming from. It takes a while for the little ones to trust their circumstances after being "left behind". She suggests breaking her meals up to 3x a day, scheduling so that the little one doesn't feel that she's going to be starved. She says to up her calcium levels...bonemeal is the suggested supplement...I'm not fond of it but when you're playing in the rescue and rehab game sometimes we do things that rub us a bit;) That might also help solid up her poops. You can also give a bit of pumpkin if her poos are really liquid (just the pumpkin not the pie filling) Give kitten replacer 2x per week to replace diminished vit and minerals but space it out so that she doesn't get it all at once and just pee it out (hence the twice a week suggestion) I hope that helps a little. Give Ferry a hug from me ciao
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jun 19, 2010 23:43:15 GMT -5
Ferry's vulva may still be a little enlarged, although not by much....this will vary by ferret. Regarding Ferry's weight...if she's eating a lot of chcken with skin/fat, ground meats with higher fat content, you may want to cut back on some of the fats. The addition of the some fiber (such as the pumpkin with a little ground egg shell) will help with the diarrhea as well as fill Ferry up a bit when she eats. organ meats such as liver, kidney and spleen are good because they contain more blood, which is a good source of iron for any potential anemia. If the towel you are using to stimulate Ferry is textured, it may be rough on her skin. We used plain a wad of old toilet paper hat was wet down with warm water. It sounds like Ferry is responding to some degree (a few drops is a start. And yes, warm water on the feet /legs tends to relax the bladder. ALL ferts go crazy when they get wet....even ferrets that love to play in water will go nuts when drying themselves off -jennifer
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Post by sherrylynne on Jun 20, 2010 12:00:00 GMT -5
My Sinnead was developing a bit of a vaginal infection, and we couldn't get in to the vets for a few days, so I started doing some warm water soaks for her twice a day. Now, this is one ferret that freaks every time she gets even her feet wet The important part, though, is that she got used to is after a couple of days, and basically just put up with it. Given that the warm water will help Ferry not only with the physio, but with her bladder issues, it might be worth your while to persist with it, and let her understand she's not going to be hurt. When you put her in the water, make sure there's a towel on the bottom of the tub or sink, so she's got some "grip", and she *shouldn't* panic quite so much.
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Post by tommy on Jun 20, 2010 15:25:48 GMT -5
I don't think Ferry has been checked for ear mites. The only treatment that was prescribed for her is Metacam. None of the vets is sure about her age though one thinks this might be the first spring she is in season. I sent him the picture and he thinks she is out of season.
I'm feeding her around 4 times a day at the moment. It looks like she is not eating as much as she used to. Maybe she knows food is readily available now?
Went for a walk today. No significant improvement from previously. Same paddling action. But she tried to climb a flight of stairs! I helped her by hoisting her lower body up. The walk has completely tired her out, she's been sleeping since 3 pm and is still asleep now (9 pm).
Will look into changing her diet based on your recommendations. The main thing I'm concerned about is her bladder situation as I'm never sure if I've emptied her out or not. Instead of stimulating her with a towel (will use toilet paper next time!), I let her lick herself and it has the same effect. When she stops licking herself, I assume she feels like she is emptied?
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Post by tommy on Jun 20, 2010 15:32:09 GMT -5
That's a good idea to have a towel to grip. I noticed she really hates the enamel surface of the tub and basin. I'll try it tomorrow.
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Post by Heather on Jun 20, 2010 17:52:58 GMT -5
Something that was also suggested was urinary crystals. This would make it difficult for her to void and take her off her back feet. These are just guesses but all plausible. Keep us posted of her progress. Good luck to both of you. ciao
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Post by tommy on Jun 23, 2010 14:21:10 GMT -5
We've been at the vet again today and she thinks Ferry is progressing well. Just have to make sure that she is not getting lazy and not using her back legs because it's easier and quicker to drag them around. She also got medicine for ear mites now.
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