|
|
Post by cloudtickler on Dec 30, 2008 22:14:19 GMT -5
Rex is having some probs. He's got a growth or tumor on his head, and it's making him pretty darned grumpy. We're feeding him on his own, just to give him some alone time to eat and not stress about his cagemates. We have an appt for next week and I'm on standby for any cancellations this week.
This growth was NOT there a week ago. We noticed it while cleaning his ears on Sunday, and it's obviously bothering him now. I think it's a mast cell tumor but I'll cross that bridge when my vet confirms it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jan 1, 2009 12:56:45 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear about the bump on his head. If it IS a mast cell tumor, you can take reassurance that in ferrets (unlike in cats/dogs) mast cell tumors are almost always benign.
De has a mast cell tumor on her upper right shoulder. When Sams was alive he had one or two as well. They never caused any trouble. They would "flare up" from time to time and look kind of big and scabby, but then they'd "come down" and not be as noticable.
Some people still opt to remove mast cell tumors from their ferrets (just in case) but that is a personal choice since it requires the ferret to undergo anesthesia and not all ferrents are comfortable with that.
How old is Rex?
I hope all goes well and that it turns out to just be a mast cell tumor. You will be in my thoughts.
|
|
|
|
Post by cloudtickler on Jan 1, 2009 20:25:23 GMT -5
We decided to have it removed. (Which will happen next week.) It's bothering him significantly, to the point where I've removed him from the bigger cage and he hangs out in the other FN by himself. He's gotten pretty aggressive, and nailed our vet with a non-playful bite when she came over. (She's a family friend.) Soo yeah. We shall play it by ear. He's at least 4, which was greater than we were told when he was surrendered.
|
|
|
|
Post by cloudtickler on Jan 6, 2009 3:46:12 GMT -5
Major poop wars happenin this week. I think someone is starting fights and they are all squabbling. There were poop bombs over a foot outside the cage when I got home today.  In other news-- the food front is still going fine. We're on finger size chunks of turkey, chicken, pork, or beef. They are also doing well with the turkey or chicken wings, and necks. Gizzards are not accepted well unless I mix it in with chicken. Z and I got a really pretty set of kitchen shears for xmas which have helped out a LOT. Oh-- they all seem to approve of the cornish game hen so far. Forgot we'd added that into the menu. |
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jan 6, 2009 21:30:59 GMT -5
Very good! So do they eat the bones in the wings and game hen? You are so close to being fully switched! I'm so happy.  Almost there! |
|
|
|
Post by cloudtickler on Jan 7, 2009 3:07:42 GMT -5
They will sometimes eat the ribcage bones, and the smaller wing bones if I pre-break them. Jaina goes craaaazy for the marrow, as I've already explained  I found a hen leg stashed away today though.. and they haven't had legs since Sunday! Blech. One of em had gone *under* their fleece tray cover, and put it under the litterbox area, which the box being full, had squished it down to nearly flat so I didn't notice! I do a cage check 7-8 hours after they eat to make sure everything has been consumed. But someone hid that REALLY well from me!! When I went to throw it away they all looked at me with deep sorrow like I was planning on never feeding them again! |
|
|
|
Post by cloudtickler on Jan 11, 2009 21:22:07 GMT -5
Nothing to update. The turkey necks and chicken necks are quickly becoming favorites to all 6 fuzzies.
Shadow tried to steal Jaina's from her (through the cage bars. There was no real threat) and she shrieked at him! He was licking at the trail of 'juice' and apparently that didn't make her very happy. She's not normally very vocal so that was funny to watch.
|
|
|
|
Post by cloudtickler on Jan 16, 2009 13:47:05 GMT -5
Spent the last few days in hospital. (I'm okay now.)
NV chub prices rose this week, so we're going back to a mix of chub and ground up blended meat that we make here at home, for Miss Onyxia. There's a butcher in the city that makes their own dog food and grinds it. We're going to stop by and see if we can place an order of chicken/turkey with bones for her as well.
The others are doing okay. We're continuing to monitor Rex, who's irritability tells me he's unhappy. But we're trying to figure out where to draw the line..
|
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jan 20, 2009 18:57:21 GMT -5
Hey, sorry I haven't been around much recently, I have my computer in the shop. I wanted to leave you with my cell #. Please call or text anytime if you feel comfortable doing so. I hope to have my computer back soon! I'm glad to hear you are out of the hospital and doing better. Give the babies a big hug for me. |
|
|
|
Post by cloudtickler on Jan 21, 2009 5:18:21 GMT -5
Dear Big Bad Holistic Ferret Mama (AKA Mentor) I've been keepin tabs on the comp updates in your announcement thread. I don't mind that it takes you a bit to check in on me. I just am updating when I can so that there's something here to look at when you are able to check in. I do have your cell number on speed-dial in case we have any fert diet problems. But so far everyone is doing just fine. I've decided to keep Onyxia on NV chub for her long-term diet. (And to stop trying to increase the meat size) Her random weight flux issues sort of force my hand on the matter. She still gets treats of -small- bit size pieces of meat, in her chub rations, but as it is I have to water down the chub to a soupie to get her to eat it. We were going to schedule her for a dental but our vet says she's worried about using anesthesia with her, so we'll wait. She and Rex get fed by themselves (and not in the same cage as one another) So besides that little decision I think we're finally confident in the switch. Took us 5 months, but hey, we got there. And all but Nyx were kibble free since Oct 20th |
|
|
|
Post by cloudtickler on Jan 25, 2009 15:21:58 GMT -5
Yikes.. I'm sorry I'm falling behind a little bit on updating. School, work, and ferret rescue makes less time for internet forums nowadays. I haven't checked my email since the last time I posted here >.<
Nothin interesting to report. They are all doing great. They tackled a turkey wing like pros, all together. (well, 4 of em.) So that was fun.
|
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jan 26, 2009 16:14:28 GMT -5
If you are happy with where you are at in the switch, then I will just need you to post a copy of your sample weekly feeding schedule so I can review it. Once I review your feeding schedule, then you will be ready to graduate Don't worry that it took 5 months to switch, ferrets are stubborn and take time to switch. The point is that you did it. Even though Nyx is just eating the NV that is a-okay. Its raw, its balanced (as long as you rotate a variety of meats), and its what De eats. Just be sure that you regularly brush Nyx's teeth. I make sure to do so for De, because she only eats ground. BTW- De just went under anesthesia for a dental and came through with flying colors (she just turned 9 years old). We did pre-procedure bloodwork and an ekg to evaluate her ability to undergo anestheisa and she did perfectly. Since getting her teeth cleaned I have noticed she is much more willing to try and eat CHUNKS of meat, which she never did before her dental. I'd suggest doing bloodwork on Nyx to see if she can undergo the anesthesia (if your vet hasn't already done this). De benefitted tremendously from her dental. Can't wait to see your feeding schedule. I'm so proud of you! You really stuck with it! Look how far you've come! |
|
