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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 9, 2011 20:38:17 GMT -5
That really does sound more like a spine injury then. Fingers crossed. I hope he makes a fast recovery.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2011 13:39:20 GMT -5
Just thinking about how to achieve weight loss with Hunter, to help with his spine. He needs excercise, (after his rest required by the vet) but I want to find something low impact like taking him exploring on the leash outside. Any suggestions? He was only eating 2 ounces of meat per day, same as Ollie, Maisey eats a bit less and Sebastian cleans up after (he needs a diet also-he is much fatter than Hunter) and licks all the bowls clean and shiny LOL. I have started feeding everyone seperately to monitor intake, I was just letting them do their thing all together before.
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Post by Sherry on Apr 10, 2011 14:30:25 GMT -5
Obviously this would only be after he heals up, but the thing that made my Vincent shed some pounds was a cat teaser toy. There is only one kind he likes, but he'd chase that thing non stop ;D
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 10, 2011 14:47:58 GMT -5
I have this fuzzy ball on a string and it hangs from a stick. Lard butt Sonny chases it around quite a bit. Looks like he's getting leaner now. I'd let him exercise on carpet because of his back.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2011 16:32:27 GMT -5
Thanks! Some great ideas, I really appreciate the help Any tips on getting him to swallow a pill? I popped it into the back of his mouth like with the cat, but he still manages to spit it out! It must taste really yukky...
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Post by Heather on Apr 10, 2011 21:07:11 GMT -5
I use a pill popper. ciao
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Post by Sherry on Apr 11, 2011 9:04:27 GMT -5
Talk to your vet. Some pills can be dissolved in a wee bit of water and syringed. But some aren't supposed to be, which is why I mentioned asking the vet first.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 9:12:29 GMT -5
ok I will call the vet, maybe I need to hold his mouth shut too? I might try to find one of those pill poppers, sounds handy. Surprizing how wiggly he is even without the use of his legs! It is my first time administering pills to a ferret, I just may need practice
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Post by Sherry on Apr 11, 2011 9:17:27 GMT -5
That's also quite possible, especially with how they can move! I have to give Boris metro liquid sometimes, and even though he's burrito wrapped, AND scruffed, he can frequently still manage to get more on me than I can get into him
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 16:22:02 GMT -5
How is Hunter with water? treading water would be great (low impact) exercise for the little guy
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 19:02:20 GMT -5
He is actually quite calm in water, don't know if he can swim though. I have to put him in the sink at least once a day to clean him off- and I let him float in the nice warm water with my hand under him. He dosen't paddle with his paws though.
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Post by Sherry on Apr 11, 2011 19:42:42 GMT -5
Try letting his back end down enough so his paws touch the tub/sink bottom. He should start pushing against it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 22:47:56 GMT -5
oo yeah I did that tonight and he started paddling like crazy with his front paws but his rear legs do not move. His tail moved a bit though, and during his dry off wriggling he flapped his tail and twitched his feet. It happened last night too. The vet personally called ME today and I was very happy about that-I told her about the baths and tail movement and she said it was a very good sign. With everyone's good advise I was able to give him his pill and he swallowed it whole ;D I did the burrito technique and popped it into his mouth and held his mouth shut and he swallowed it right down. I immediately gave him a smidge of ferretvite (just a small taste for reward)
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Post by Heather on Apr 11, 2011 22:51:37 GMT -5
Swimming is indeed an excellent method of exercise. I used it with Mayhem after his spinal thrombosis. At first all he did was float around. Don't put huge amounts of water, just enough to raise his buoyancy levels. He was walking (not well mind you) in about 9 or 10 months after. He would get all over the place, and often would scare me as to where he would get himself. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 23:25:16 GMT -5
OMG he looks a lot like Hunter lol thanks for the info- I have to wash him anyway so we might as well make a bit of gentle excercise out of it I am seeing a bit of rash and redness on his wee wee, I put a smidge of organic coconut oil in his bath water. I am concerned about "diaper rash" for lack oif a better term. he is obviously wet while I am away at work. Any tips? Should I take him to work with me? I don't want to powder him or use anything because he will injest it....sorry I am an obsessive person I admit it.....
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