|
Post by sherrylynne on Jan 24, 2010 22:48:43 GMT -5
|
|
nibblesandspazz
Going Natural
Forum Artist Extraordinaire[/color]
Posts: 165
|
Post by nibblesandspazz on Feb 1, 2010 15:16:38 GMT -5
I gave them a cardboard box and placed their food in it, hoping they would use it as a feeding fen. They took the food out and tried to eat the box. so much for that idea. Anyway we decided to give them some ground beef because it wasnt expensive and we thought it would be a treat for them. they absolutely loved it. They ate it within 2 minutes. We also got some turkey necks with alot of meat on it because it was so cheap and i figured the bone would be good for their teeth. they have been playing tug of war with the bone after they ate the meat. Its like their new favorite toy. We are still trying to track down some other types of meat at a decent price. I might have to start ordering frozen.
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Feb 1, 2010 16:01:16 GMT -5
For the feeding den, it does take some training. Try putting the meat in, and every time they bring it out, put them, meat and all right back in. Sooner or later they'll get the idea that's where they'll be able to eat in peace As for the ground beef- works as a treat, but doesn't nearly have the nutritional values they need. But- at least you found out they'll eat other meats! Mine also love turkey necks. Unfortunately, I have to chop up the neck segments in half, then half crosswise Spoiled brats that they are! One thing I tried with mine last night(mainly because I got it cheap from the grocery!) is something called pork rib tail ends. The bone is mainly cartiledge, and they loved it! Might be something to keep an eye out for. Also wanted to mention, it's getting on a while since they've been eating the raw(almost 4 months), and they really do need to start getting other meats in their diet, to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. As you likely remember- they need a minimum of 3 different proteins.
|
|
nibblesandspazz
Going Natural
Forum Artist Extraordinaire[/color]
Posts: 165
|
Post by nibblesandspazz on Feb 2, 2010 23:14:00 GMT -5
actually i didnt know that they need 3 types. could you tell me exactly what they need when (like how many times a week), and give me some examples. this stuff is still kind of confusing. I want them to be as healthy as possible. Also, other than ground beef, what are some safe things i could give them as treats? i cant thank you enough for all your help
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Feb 3, 2010 23:19:19 GMT -5
Here's my menu for mine. Keep in mind it's pretty flexible.
Mon- meat chunks(pork, beef, lamb, turkey, chicken) Tues- bone in(chicken wings, turkey neck, rabbit, pork rib tails, cornish hen, whole prey) Wed- meat chunks Thurs- bone in Fri- meat chunks Sat- organ one meal, bone in the next Sun- bone in
Now, where I've listed a variety of meats/bone in, I've got everything cut, weighed, and baggied. Once I baggie everything, I toss them into one of two larger boxes in the freezer. One labelled meat chunks, one labelled bone in. Whole prey is in a separate box. On meat days, I just grab whichever meat comes to hand. The same with the bone in. For one meal, they might get lamb in the morning, beef in the evening, etc. Basic menu to follow is bone in 3-4 days a week, meat 2-3 days a week, organ one meal a week- the other meal whatever you like. The reason it's so flexible is each ferret is different. Some need more bone, some less. That you can only figure out as time goes on. If poops are too loose, add more bone. Too dry, add more meat/fat. Hope this helps!
|
|
nibblesandspazz
Going Natural
Forum Artist Extraordinaire[/color]
Posts: 165
|
Post by nibblesandspazz on Feb 5, 2010 12:04:22 GMT -5
thanks that helps ALOT. I was also wondering if you could give me any diet tips to make my munchkin lose weight. she is 3 years old and weighs under a pound. her body structure is very petite so I dont think her weight is much to worry about though I would prefer a tad bigger
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Feb 6, 2010 19:50:11 GMT -5
You can add some more fat to her diet. Generally though, as they get more accustomed to eating raw, and their bodies adapt, they add muscle, although the small ones remain small. Three of my females weigh in at 2 lbs(approx). The other 3 are all just a pound, or a bit under. And they won't get any bigger. It's just their body size. If she looks reasonably good, is active, and eating, etc. I wouldn't worry about it. When was the last time she was weighed? I've got one(my new one) who's hip bones actually started to show, and I was getting worried, but she's steadily gaining. Only a hundred grams in teh last week or so, but still. And now she's starting to add the muscle. If she's healthy otherwise, but you're still worried, maybe have the vet take a look at her, see if they think she's too thin.
|
|
nibblesandspazz
Going Natural
Forum Artist Extraordinaire[/color]
Posts: 165
|
Post by nibblesandspazz on Feb 10, 2010 19:30:22 GMT -5
the vet did look at her which is how I know how much she weighs. He wasnt concerned about it, but he did say she should be a tad bigger in case she ever does start losing weight. she doesnt have any to spare so its more of a precaution. She had stomach ulcers and a prolapsed rectum. If either of those problems reoccur i would prefer to have her a little chubby so its not so difficult on her
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Feb 10, 2010 19:55:51 GMT -5
That I can understand! I'd give her some soups every couple of days with a tbsp of heavy whipping cream added. Ferrets normally don't tolerate lactose well, but the heavy cream is a bit different. They still can't have a lot, but that much won't hurt her. Also, don't forget- raw fed ferrets do have more resources to draw on than kibble fed ferrets as well. And some are simply "whippet" in build. And unfortunately, if you have one of those, not a lot you can do about it.
|
|
nibblesandspazz
Going Natural
Forum Artist Extraordinaire[/color]
Posts: 165
|
Post by nibblesandspazz on Feb 14, 2010 14:19:35 GMT -5
i'm pretty sure i jinxed tigger by sending you that last message on here. she is losing a bit of weight. the emergency vet said she only ways 57 grams. since we took her in she has been gradually feeling smaller. i will try the whipping cream once she feels better. in the meantime I think I will give her some all meat baby food, that seemed to plump her up last time.
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Feb 14, 2010 18:07:19 GMT -5
She is tiny. Just over a pound. It is possible she's just dropped the weight from the carbs, and will add the muscle, but some extra feedings certainly won't hurt her.
|
|
nibblesandspazz
Going Natural
Forum Artist Extraordinaire[/color]
Posts: 165
|
Post by nibblesandspazz on Feb 16, 2010 23:45:23 GMT -5
She's barely eating. Its really worrying me. she will eat the ferret laxand treats but will barely touch her raw meat. i watered down some beef liver the other night and she drank the liquid but didnt touch the liver pieces. i think her tummy might be upset from her meds.
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Feb 17, 2010 22:34:10 GMT -5
That's more than possible. Do you have some soups you can feed her? It's important to keep the food in her, even if she's nauseated. What meds is she still on? She might need some carafate, or pepcid to calm her tummy from antibiotics.
|
|
nibblesandspazz
Going Natural
Forum Artist Extraordinaire[/color]
Posts: 165
|
Post by nibblesandspazz on Feb 20, 2010 16:21:08 GMT -5
shes on tresaderm ear drops 1 per ear 2x daily, meloxicam 0.06 ml by mouth every 24 hrs and baytril 0.25 ml every 12 hrs.
you said pepcid, do you mean the human kind, like over the counter pepcid antacid medication?
She will only eat her treats and lax still. she wont touch any soup I have given her. I gave her baby food that only has turkey and turkey broth in it. she wont eat it warmed, up watered down ect. I've also given her beef and beef broth baby food. she took 2 licks and now wont touch it though I've tried everything. I'm thinking watering it down a hole lot might help, but then she still wouldnt be getting enough food. I've also tried soup of just chicken and water with no luck.
the treats she is eating are ranch flavor, but I dont want to give her to many. should I add 1 drop of ranch dressing to every 2 cups of soup? maybe that will entice her. I hate giving her anything that isnt meat but I'm at my wits end. I cant afford to take her to the vet again til the 1st of next month.
my other idea is to give her kibble for a while until she feels better since she is eating treats that are hard like kibble. please give me every suggestion you can think of. I'm so worried about my baby
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Feb 20, 2010 21:03:32 GMT -5
Have you tried syringe feeding? That's what I had to do with Athena when she quit eating for no reason. You can likely pick up a small syringe at your vet's, and have them show you how to do it, or if you know, just get one from your local pharmacy. If she's gone for a while without eating, she may not even touch kibble, although certainly try her with it. We can worry about switching her back later.
|
|