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Post by aam127 on Apr 4, 2010 21:55:40 GMT -5
hello
We bought two ferrets about a month ago (4 and 5 month old). One of them is happy running and jumping boy. The second ferret is very different story.
He does not play much and do not like to run. He does not look very healthy either. We switched both ferrets to raw diet. It seems to work a little bit. He is some what happier and even plays some times, but he has constant diarrhea. No meter what I try he still has diarrhea. I tried to add more bones and bone meal, but all the same.
Can it be sign of chicken allergy or something else?
Thank you
Anna
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Post by Heather on Apr 4, 2010 22:17:09 GMT -5
What other meats are you trying? What's your meat to bone ratio? Have you tried pumpkin in your mix? Have you had him checked for parasites? bacteria? Have you had blood work done? What does your vet say?
ciao
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Post by aam127 on Apr 5, 2010 8:14:38 GMT -5
What other meats are you trying? What's your meat to bone ratio? Have you tried pumpkin in your mix? Have you had him checked for parasites? bacteria? Have you had blood work done? What does your vet say? ciao I give them bone every day. I even feed him bone meal every day, so he will get more of of the bone. I have not try pumpkin. I have been warring about sugar in it, but I am planning to buy it today and see if it will work. I also give to ferrets beef and we are trying some turkey as well. I am planning to call vet today. First, have to find one I can trust. We had bad experience with our previous ferret. |
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Post by mustelidmusk on Apr 5, 2010 22:35:19 GMT -5
A trip to the vet will be very helpful. Please let us know what your learn from the vet. Ferrets can get bacteria problems in their digestive systems. They can get parasites and other types of infections that can be cured with medicines.
Ferrets can also have food allergies and sentitivies. They can have a chronic condition called Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). IBD is not uncommon in ferrets. IBD is actually the term (or word) that is used for several different conditions that result in bad digestion. Adjustments in diet can sometimes help with some of these conditions. But you need to have a vet do some tests to find out what is going on.
-jennifer
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Post by Heather on Apr 5, 2010 22:54:05 GMT -5
Make sure that the pumpkin you use is not pie filling .... just pumpkin, there should be no sugar added
ciao
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Post by aam127 on Apr 6, 2010 5:22:20 GMT -5
We took our ferret Bapka to a vet yesterday. Vet took X ray because she could feel something inside what was not suppose to be there. It ended up being enlarge lymph nod. The diagnosis was bacterial infection with ulcer. Pure Bapka is on 3 different medications twice a day now. Hopefully it will help.
Thank you Jennifer and Heather for you help.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Apr 6, 2010 20:02:54 GMT -5
Hi,
I'm happy you have medicine for your ferret!
Please continue to let us know how your feret is doing. Once your ferret is better, we can review your feeding program and help you make adjustments if necessary. Ferrets need to eat meat, bone, and organ meats (such as liver and heart) in specific proportions to stay healthy. We will be happy to help you.
-jennifer
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Post by aam127 on Apr 9, 2010 14:59:29 GMT -5
update
Babka is doing better. He does not have diarrhea any more. I am very happy about it. But, his behavior is strange, on my opinion. He mostly wants to sit on my lap. He does not want to run or jump much. Is it just different temperament or something else?
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Post by Heather on Apr 9, 2010 23:05:00 GMT -5
He probably is still feeling a bit off (this could even be his antibiotics that are making him feel unwell). Personality changes in a ferret usually mean they're still feeling ill
ciao
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Post by aam127 on Apr 13, 2010 20:46:39 GMT -5
Babka has diarrhea again  I did not give him his medications last night ( I fall asleep while putting my 2 year old to bed). I am sad that just missing his medication once, made him sick again. Is there any special diet for ferrets with ulcer? Maybe I do not feed him right. |
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Post by Heather on Apr 13, 2010 22:37:36 GMT -5
He's only been on meds for a week, if he has helicobacter problem, he's not been on his meds near long enough not to go back to having stomach upsets if you miss his meds. If this is indeed the case, you have at least a months worth of regular med taking maybe longer. See if you get his meds to him on time wether his stools are once again become more normal. You may indeed have to take a look at what you're feeding but because you saw an improvement upon giving his meds I would see if that improvement continues if you're consistent at getting his meds to him.
ciao
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Post by mustelidmusk on Apr 14, 2010 1:21:49 GMT -5
Heather is correct. You have to give medicines for a long period of time to cure the ulcers. A study was done in Spain a couple of years ago proving that olive oil can help to prevent and get rid of the helicobacter bacteria that cause most ulcers. The study was performed in a "dish" rather than in a human or animal. So, more studies will need to be done to prove that olive oil works they same way in the stomach. A little bit of extra virgin olive oil given daily helps prevent hairballs too. So, it may help to give about 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil to each ferret every day. I will post some more information on this in the medical section so other people will see this too. Look for the post about olive oil and ulcers. I will include a link to the web page that has more information.
jennifer
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Post by aam127 on Apr 24, 2010 20:51:17 GMT -5
Babka is feeling fine.  He is off his medication and doing great. At that moment, Babka is running around the house with his brother and my 4 year old son. Thank you for your help. Anna |
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