The pumpkin (or squash) is a regular in my raw ground mix. I've been feeding that way for a couple of years and had no ill effects. It rather works like mouse fur
...it absorbs some of the moisture. It also slows the process just a little, meaning those ferrets that don't absorb their meal quite as well...it stays longer and they may actually get more nutrition out of their food. I've copied a section of a saved text, that might help some of you better understand Slippery elm. At the very bottom is the recipe that I use all the time for my guys when they're tummies are a little upset. Please note that this article is directed to cats and dogs but can be easily adapted to ferrets. This cut of informtation was sent to me when I was fighting to save a little ferret's life and a group of herbalist and homeopaths joined forces to help me with this little guy. They were the most fantastic group of people who taught me an awful lot in a very short period of time (my little boy lived quite comfortably with minimal gastro attacks until his death almost 2 yrs later when he passed on, with lymphomas at the ripe old age of 10 yrs ).
##Slippery Elm Bark is very rich in mucilage and forms into a pleasant
tasting gelatinous fiber when mixed with water. Slippery Elm Bark is
recommended for soothing gastric conditions. It has several beneficial
effects on digestion: it reduces bowel transit time, absorbs toxins from
the bowel, increases fecal bulk and dilutes stool materials thereby
reducing stool contact with the intestinal mucosa and it enhances
beneficial bacteria in the gut. The bark has noted anti-inflammatory
activity and because the mucilage resists digestion by stomach acids and
enzymes, it maintains its soothing action throughout the entire
digestive system.
As you may know, it is potentially dangerous to give certain herbs to
pets, especially cats. Many people commonly extrapolate a dose of hebs
by using the pet's weight compared to the "standard" 150-pound human. A
large dog, however, has a comparatively slow metabolism, while a small
dog's rapid heart rate and high energy level may make it difficult to
get the desired effect. Cats have very different metabolism and enzymes,
and many compounds that are safe for humans and dogs (like aspirin) can
be toxic to cats. Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) is an exception to the
fears and cautions surrounding the use of herbs in animals. It is very
safe and non-toxic. The part of the tree used is the inner bark, which
is soft and stringy. Herbalists attribute many wonderful healing
properties to Slippery Elm: demulcent (soothing, mucilage-forming),
emollient (soothing and protective for skin), nutritive (providing
specific food nutrients), tonic (promoting healthy function of one or
more body systems), and astringent (constricting, binding or drying
effect). It can be used both internally and externally. Slippery Elm is
one of the herbs used in the original formulation of "Essiac," an herbal
brew widely promoted as a cancer-fighter.
In the gastro-intestinal tract, Slippery Elm acts directly. It can be
thought of as a sort of natural "Pepto-Bismol." (Pepto-Bismol itself
should not be used because it contains salicylate, a.k.a. aspirin). Its
mucilage content coats, soothes, and lubricates the mucus membranes
lining the digestive tract. Slippery Elm is an excellent treatment for
ulcers, gastritis, colitis, and other inflammatory bowel problems. It is
high in fiber, and so helps normalize intestinal action; it can be used
to relieve both diarrhea and constipation. It may also help alleviate
nausea and vomiting in pets suffering from non-GI illnesses, such as
kidney disease. A syrup made from Slippery Elm Bark can be used to help
heal mouth ulcers from all causes.
Slippery Elm is said to relieve inflammation of virtually any mucus
membrane, and has been used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions
of the lungs (bronchitis, asthma), kidneys, bladder (cystitis, FLUTD
symptoms), throat (tonsillitis), and joints (arthritis).
Slippery Elm contains many nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat,
ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, and several trace minerals) that
can be beneficial for recuperating pets, and it may stay down when other
foods are not tolerated. Slippery Elm may interfere with the absorption
of certain minerals and pharmaceuticals, so is best given separately
from any concurrent drug therapy.
In the case of cystitis (bladder inflammation), Slippery Elm is thought
to soothe the bladder lining. However, it is somewhat high in magnesium,
so may be contraindicated in dogs who have an active infection with an
elevated urinary pH, where struvite crystal formation may be a risk. (In
cats, urinary tract infections are very rarely bacterial.) Slippery Elm
bark contains natural pentosans, a class of complex sugars that contains
the same compound found in the drug "Elmiron®,"the major pain-relieving
treatment for interstitial cystitis (IC) in women. Pentosan has been
used by the pharmaceutical industry as an anti-coagulant and
anti-inflammatory for more than 40 years. (Anti-coagulant effects are
not seen with normal oral administration.) Since bladder disease in cats
is very similar to that in women, slippery elm may be especially
beneficial for our feline friends.
Externally, a soothing paste of Slippery Elm powder (mix the powder with
a little cold water) can be used as a poultice for hot spots, insect
burns, rashes, scratches, ulcerated areas, or other shallow wounds.
Native Americans used Slippery Elm bark to stop bleeding. It forms a
natural "bandage" that can be left in place for several hours, if you
can convince your dog to leave it alone!
To give internally, mix about 1/4 teaspoon of Slippery Elm bark powder
with cold water for every 10 pounds of body weight. For very small dogs,
it is fine to use the same 1/4 teaspoon dose. The bulk powder may be
very fluffy, so pack it down as much as possible to measure it. Slippery
Elm powder will absorb many times its own weight in water, so be sure to
add enough to make a moderately thick gruel. This gruel can be given
before meals by syringe or added to food. It has a slightly sweet taste
and is usually well-tolerated by cats and dogs when mixed with food.
Give a dose 5 minutes before meals for sore throat, and before or with
meals for digestive tract problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease,
until symptoms resolve.
Author Anitra Frazier gives the following recipe for Slippery Elm Bark syrup in her book, The New Natural Cat, which applies equally well to our canine companions when adjusted for weight: Into a small saucepan place 1/2 cup cold water and 1 teaspoon powdered slippery elm bark. Whip with a fork. Bring to simmer over low flame, stirring constantly. Simmer 1 or 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Cool and refrigerate. Keeps 7 or 8 days. Give a teaspoon of syrup (5 cc) for an average-size cat (again, about 10 pounds) 5 minutes before a meal to minimize diarrhea, or to soothe and heal mouth ulcers. ###
I know this is an huge amount of information but I hope that it's able to be of use to you
ciao
I've found both things good either together or separate for slimy poops.
. He knows I've given pinkies once in a while, but for whole mice? If he found pieces around.....
.
