Apple's Diet and Progress

[mustelidmusk]

Yellow stuff the size of evo that's hard doesn't sound like cartilage - cartilage usually gets dissolved in the stomach - my kids never pascartilge - only bone bits.

but Apple does seem to push food through quickly. He may have lower pancreatic enzyme levels since he also seems to have trouble digesting food.

Have you fed him any antlers, different treats, etc lately? His tummy is different, so some things that work for other ferrets might be difficult for Apple's system to handle.

IBD really stinks. there are so many different causes and forms of it that there's so much trial and error involved. When Apple's tummy recovers, lets try the papaya enzyme on the raw daily. If that doesn't help, there are some stronger enzymes that may help break down the proteins.

If the dark urine doesn't clear up, he'll need to go back in to have that checked out.

Keeping all fingers, toes, and paws crossed here for everything to clear up completely.

-jennifer

[pear2apple]

I haven't fed the antlers yet. I should try that this week. But they love the beef trachea! Good, I know they need something for the teeth, so I will for sure be keeping some of that around.

Last night I fed chunks of raw rabbit with olive oil and salmon oil to Apple and Kiwi. Apple started dragging the container all over the floor once he licked it a few times and realized it was yummy. Eventually I put it in the cage with him and he dragged it around a little there too. I woke up to him this morning dragging it around some more!

I left it overnight in their cage, in the morning it was all gone. This morning they were super hyper, which is unusual as its almost always Kiwi that sleeps through the morning food check. I'm expecting some weird poops from the straight raw rabbit chunks.

I am sprinkling papaya on the ground raw turkey/beef and canned buffalo that I am feeding this week. I think its helping a little bit. I think the canned meats are for sure helping the digestion and adding some bulk tho.

Nothing weird since Apple pooped out the hard yellow chunks. Still seedy, but not as bad I don't think. I really just need to feed the same food, or a very similar mix for a few weeks straight to see how it goes before I can really tell if his poops are stable or not.

I fed mice last week. It went ok. I don't think they were hungry enough, Apple only ate half a mouse and stashed another one, without my noticing! He carried it out of hiding 2 days later, much to my dismay! LOL

[mustelidmusk]

Oh lovely - a half eaten mouse that's two days old
just like in the wild!

Oh cool, I'm glad they like the trachea rounds - I swear by those for teeth cleaning! They're kind of scratchy with some harder bits of cartilage - between the trachea rounds (from Oma's pride), and the antlers (from Bonus), the teeth aren't really a problem.

I tried another treat - Merrick's training treats - freeze-dried lamb lungs (pretty cheap by volume (they're light in weight)), and my brats love them!) I fed another brand of lamb lungs before, but they're hard to find - these work well.

www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Merrick-Lamb-Training-Treats/134198.aspx

Another thing - if you search for Only natural pet coupons, there are quite a few out there - I didn't look at them since I don't have time these days!

I just bought some Ziwipeak cat daily diet. The brats think it's OK, but they like the Wysong's and Stella and Chewy's better. I think the chicory makes it a little different. It appears to be a good, meaty product.

I'm glad things seem to be going pretty well with Apple's tummy. He's able to enjoy some variety without having his digestion get whacked out requiring prednisone to get back to "normal".

-jennifer

[pear2apple]

I know I am overdue for an update. I've got bad news. I've just lost my job, was laid off today. Me and like 7 other people are gone from my company! There was only like 20 of us left anyway! Anyway, money is tight and I have 2 months to find a new job, or I will need to move back home. My lease is up end of January. If I move back home....its just gonna suck! I could keep the ferrets, and they may even get their own "play room" but it won't be much fun, and harder to keep them

Anyway, so I've switched their diet to mostly Evo Red Meat bites and 1 raw soupie a day or every other day. That should help with costs I think. They both love the Evo, so that works good.

Ground raw is working good for them too. I usually mix that in a soupie, they love it. I mix the ground raw, sometimes kmr/baby food, and canned meats (dog or cat) together as their "soupie". They love it.

They eat their jerky so that cleans their teeth. I might still get them other chunks of meat, but they are less likely to eat it and I can't spare the money. They are mainly eating ground beef and ground turkey. But their treats, Evo, and jerky are different mats so they do get variety. Plus they are still eating the NV.

[mustelidmusk]

That is terrible news I know how bad it sucks to not have a job. My current job is contract - so I'll be out of work in March

But, you might find something new pretty quickly. And even if you end up living at your folks house for a bit, it won't be forever.

Here's a word of advice from an experienced unemployment pro... file as early as possible. It takes a whle to get things going - plus....if you do pick up a job sooner rather than later, you don't get paid for the time you were eligible for uemployment but sitting on your butt dreading the filing process. Been there, done that!

The only good thing I can say about ths crappy economy is that being unemployed doesn't carry the stigma it once did - people are getting laid off from just about everything except for nursing. If I were younger, I'd be going to school to be a nurse - they can't offshore that job, which iswhat happened to mine

Some more ideas...You can always see if a local butcher has some wierd things that people don't eat - like turkey hearts and necks....sometimes they'll just give them to you. Asian and other ethnic markets can be sources of cheap meats (fresh or dried) Also save juice from thawed meats, bits a fat, cartilage, egg shells, etc for soups. just start adding this stuff into a plastic cottage chese container tat you keep in the freezer. It's great for soups. You also probably qualify for the raw food fund from this site as well if you need it.

Sounds like your kids are doing well, which is good. Hang in there and don't let things get you down - I think quite a few of us may be going through similar experiences before things start to improve.

-jennifer

[pear2apple]

Yes, it is awful news! The good news is, I wanted a new job anyway! Wasn't happy there. Besides, now I have more time for freelance and getting back to a job search and interviewing will be much easier! So thats the good news.

Thanks for the encouragement! I do not need to borrow any money from the emergency funds. My Mom will help me out if it comes to that...haha which it most likely will.

I'll have to find an Asian market, that is a good idea. Thanks for your help!

[mustelidmusk]

I know the feeling.... I was miserable in my last job, and we all knew we were getting laid off eventually.....it was just a matter of time. But, the money and benefits were really good. It was actually a relief to get out of there I love my new job (as much as I can enjoy workig these days!!! (Too bad it will be goin away in March or sooner!)

I've got my fingers crossed that something good will come up quickly. If the market seems reall dry, don't panic...most depatments get new budgets approved around February/March. I'm glad you have your folks to fall back on if you need to...I think families will need to be pulling together more duing tough times, which has its benefits to.

jennifer