Post by luvfuzzies20 on Aug 2, 2009 15:16:04 GMT -5
1. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names, ages, genders, and do they have any health problems (this is VERY important)?
I have 20 ferrets ranging from age 1-8yrs. I am part of a ferret shelter and have been for 8 yrs. The 20 ferrets are in 5 different groups. I have 4 ferrets that will eat chicken giblets/mice.
Right now I would like to concentrate on switching over a group of 2, Franklin & Eleanor. Franklin has insulinoma and needs to gain some weight. I think the switch could benefit him right now.
Franklin (male) & Eleanor (female) are both 6 yrs old. They came into the shelter about 4 yrs ago. Eleanor is in good health.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They eat Innova EVO cat/kitten, NOW cat & Nature's Variety cat/ Rabbit variety kibbles.
Daily serving of my home made chicken gravy. Which is pressure cooked whole chickens and ground up in my Vita-Mix, bones and everything. Only the cooking water is used for grinding.
They get a blop of Nutri-Cal on the side of their chicken gravy plate.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
A variety of whole prey and raw meat/bone/organ.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I know it is the best diet for them. (My 3 large dogs have been on a raw diet for 2 yrs)
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
I have always been interested but never had much encouragement from my fellow shelter moms. After getting the dogs switched, I see the benefits.
And 4 of my ferrets that do eat some raw and enjoy it so much.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Franklin: 1 lb 14 oz Underweight, low muscle tone.
Eleanor: 1 lb 12 oz Normal weight, good muscle tone.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
Franklin: Plaque build up and stinky
Eleanor: Plaque build up
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Franklin: White, thin, dull
Eleanor: Soft, sable turning roan
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
It's so hard to tell with so many ferrets and moving them around to different areas. Sorry
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
I'll keep a close watch. Franklin's feces are firm to soft.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Mild to me..... but when you have so many I don't notice any odor anymore
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Franklin: 2
Eleanor: 4
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
They both are not excited at all. They do get excited about the chicken gravy.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
No[/img].
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
Franklin: Has Insulinoma and is on Pediapred 2x/day after each chicken gravy feeding.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
Took some pics, but couldn't figure out how to post them. The insert image didn't work.[/img]
17.
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least every other day?**
Yes
b.) Do you understand that if you will be away from your computer for an extended period of time you will need to exchange phone numbers (or email addresses if you don't feel comfortable exchanging numbers)via private message with your assigned mentor, so that we can monitor your progress and ensure your ferret's safety during the switch?
Yes
c.) Do you understand that any threads that have not been updated in for more then a week (with no explanation as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***
Yes
**Note 1: If you are unable to make it to a computer (such as on weekends) please indicate below so we know whether you just don't have computer access or if you have gone MIA.
***Note 2: If you would like to try the switch again and you are committed to making regular updates you ARE welcome to restart your thread. Failure to provide regular updates will result in the deletion of your thread.
I have 20 ferrets ranging from age 1-8yrs. I am part of a ferret shelter and have been for 8 yrs. The 20 ferrets are in 5 different groups. I have 4 ferrets that will eat chicken giblets/mice.
Right now I would like to concentrate on switching over a group of 2, Franklin & Eleanor. Franklin has insulinoma and needs to gain some weight. I think the switch could benefit him right now.
Franklin (male) & Eleanor (female) are both 6 yrs old. They came into the shelter about 4 yrs ago. Eleanor is in good health.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They eat Innova EVO cat/kitten, NOW cat & Nature's Variety cat/ Rabbit variety kibbles.
Daily serving of my home made chicken gravy. Which is pressure cooked whole chickens and ground up in my Vita-Mix, bones and everything. Only the cooking water is used for grinding.
They get a blop of Nutri-Cal on the side of their chicken gravy plate.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
A variety of whole prey and raw meat/bone/organ.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I know it is the best diet for them. (My 3 large dogs have been on a raw diet for 2 yrs)
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
I have always been interested but never had much encouragement from my fellow shelter moms. After getting the dogs switched, I see the benefits.
And 4 of my ferrets that do eat some raw and enjoy it so much.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Franklin: 1 lb 14 oz Underweight, low muscle tone.
Eleanor: 1 lb 12 oz Normal weight, good muscle tone.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
Franklin: Plaque build up and stinky
Eleanor: Plaque build up
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Franklin: White, thin, dull
Eleanor: Soft, sable turning roan
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
It's so hard to tell with so many ferrets and moving them around to different areas. Sorry
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
I'll keep a close watch. Franklin's feces are firm to soft.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Mild to me..... but when you have so many I don't notice any odor anymore
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Franklin: 2
Eleanor: 4
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
They both are not excited at all. They do get excited about the chicken gravy.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
No[/img].
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
Franklin: Has Insulinoma and is on Pediapred 2x/day after each chicken gravy feeding.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
Took some pics, but couldn't figure out how to post them. The insert image didn't work.[/img]
17.
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least every other day?**
Yes
b.) Do you understand that if you will be away from your computer for an extended period of time you will need to exchange phone numbers (or email addresses if you don't feel comfortable exchanging numbers)via private message with your assigned mentor, so that we can monitor your progress and ensure your ferret's safety during the switch?
Yes
c.) Do you understand that any threads that have not been updated in for more then a week (with no explanation as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***
Yes
**Note 1: If you are unable to make it to a computer (such as on weekends) please indicate below so we know whether you just don't have computer access or if you have gone MIA.
***Note 2: If you would like to try the switch again and you are committed to making regular updates you ARE welcome to restart your thread. Failure to provide regular updates will result in the deletion of your thread.