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Post by mjbez on Jun 19, 2014 9:05:34 GMT -5
Oops sorry just realized that u don't have lamb nv. Try something like Duck. Duck is nice and fatty which would be good for Sophie gaining back her couple oz. Nv does come in lamb, I'm not sure if you're store carries it or can get it in. Either way, try Duck. Nothing else for a few days. So how she handles it. We will introduce one protein at a time to make sure there aren't any other sensitivities.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2014 22:51:22 GMT -5
I picked up some carnivore care and started her on that. It says it meets 100% of the needs of a sick or convalescing animal. I think I will try mixing some of that in with the duck, altho it looks like I could feed her that exclusively. Someone on the FB page posted an article indicating I could give just baby food, but that doesn't have taurine in it. I was mixing NV and baby food just to encourage her to eat. Medicating her is horrible, no matter what I try. Had an idea tonite to see if I can get both antibiotics(or at least the flagyl) as a transdermal. Annie is eating on her own, soupie in different flavors(lamb, pork, veal or chicken)with 6 or more pieces.
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Post by mjbez on Jun 20, 2014 21:08:37 GMT -5
Ok, I will start with the easier one - Annie. Since she is eating her food with pieces I would like you to increase the number of pieces. Try 12. Also, try thickening the soupie a little. (So don't add as much water after, or less when making it. What would you say the consistency of it is?
Sophie - Carnivore care is an OK product BUT it is made with chicken. I have a feeling she could have a chicken sensitivity so I feel it is important to hold back on the carnivore care and try what I suggested with one of your nature's variety raws. And I would not be feeding just baby food. It is not complete enough long term. Be careful of this too. Is it the chicken baby food? Try not feeding any chicken, and only one protein. If we see that she is OK with say duck then we can introduce ONE new protein at a time. This process will tell us if it is a sensitivity or not.
How is Sophie doing?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2014 20:46:18 GMT -5
8 \7 4 The preceding message(8/7 4) was courtesy of Sophie who is doing better. I had thought about the fact Carnivore Care is chicken based and not complete; she did pretty well on it tho, (so I guess it's not a chicken sensitivity). I started her back on NV duck tonite. She ate about 1/16 cup. But she's more active, poops looking better. Annie is ~ 2 lb 2oz (can they get too fat?) but her appetite has fallen off these last two days just a bit. I bought some Bravo duck, mixed with some NV duck & tried her on that tonite (with very little interest.) Will post more tomorrow & will send more info about the week then.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2014 17:56:49 GMT -5
Ok, so for weights for this week, we have Annie at 2 lb 2 oz, Sophie at 1 lb 11 oz. Happy she is gaining some of her weight back. I stopped keeping track of what Sophie ate for most of this week because it was hard to quantify, also her poops were unformed and runny.( I also had let her eat kibble for a day or two (Orijen kitten and cat) But currently she is back eating NV duck last nite with some Bravo duck added, ate ~ 1/2 oz. this morning ate ~1/2 egg yolk with some duk soup and evoo
Annie: M6/16 T17 W Th19 FR
Am 1.4ozNV chicken 1.4ozNV rabbit 1.4 ozNV rabbit/duck 1.2ozNV chicken 1ozNV chick/beef
PM 1 0z chic. soup, 1.4oz veal soup 1.ozpork soup 1.0 0z lamb soup 0.75oz chic.soup 6slivers chicken 3 slivers pork 1-2slivers pork 2 slivers lamb 6 slivers beef
Sat. 6/21 Sun 6/22
AM 0.5oz NVchic. minimal amount of NV chicken with a few chicken slivers. PM1/2oz NV duck+0.5oz bravo duck 1-2 slivers pork
In a few instances I could not tell how many slivers she ate bec. the soupie had so much unblended meat in it,but it doesn't seem like all. Her appetite has fallen off considerably, but she is slightly more active. Poops for her are formed and not worrisome (raw meat/boneless or kibble fed) This morning I tried giving her 8 slivers of chicken in EVOO before the NV; she ate one,picked up another and put it under a chair and walked away. I had to leave for a riding date so put the dish in the cage, not much was gone when I got back tonite.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2014 17:59:44 GMT -5
Just saw how this came out, I hope it makes sense but there was supposed to be more space between the days, they should be centered over the columns of food. I hate my computer
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2014 20:18:51 GMT -5
If you want, I will do chart over. Annie did eat 14 pieces of pork, some larger than others and then two about 1/4 in sq that I stuck in her mouth. Sophie is not interested in her NV duck tonite. Should I offer her something else? I really get the feeling neither like getting their faces in the food. Eat a little, go wipe face, run around, forget there's food.....
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2014 5:40:38 GMT -5
Also, the soupies I've made all have some pieces of bone- some small, ~ 1/8 inch or smaller,then some larger, ~ 1/4-1/2 inch. I've been taking the bigger ones out, because I'm afraid Annie might eat one and get it stuck in her(not that she would even think about eating something like that) Since I just got one over a GI issue, I'm paranoid about having something happen to her. I think I'm being a little overly protective, but I would like your opinion, please?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2014 20:15:31 GMT -5
So, today Sophie ate next to nothing. MAYBE 1/4 tsp duck in the morning, 1/8 tsp tonite( it was pork soupie, very thin. Annie ate minimally also, ~1/2 oz. Since Annie ate all the pork the last time I gave it, I am puzzled why not tonite. but she did eat some slivers and 3 larger pieces when I held her. I am beginning to feel frustrated because it seems I've been at the same place for over a month. I could use some more feedback
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2014 20:29:58 GMT -5
Annie just ate all of her soupie, looking for more.
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Post by mjbez on Jun 23, 2014 22:47:00 GMT -5
OK, sorry I didn't check in yesterday. It was a very very busy couple of days. Now life will slowly return back to normal I will address some of your questions/concerns. As for the chart of food - next time maybe try a different format but I was able to get the idea. When there is unblended meats does Annie eat them? Keep adding the pieces with her, and as she eats them reliably you can increase the amount a little bit. It is normal to eat one, stash one, eat later.. or forget all about it. Annie did eat 14 pieces of pork, some larger than others and then two about 1/4 in sq that I stuck in her mouth. Sophie is not interested in her NV duck tonite. Should I offer her something else? I really get the feeling neither like getting their faces in the food. Eat a little, go wipe face, run around, forget there's food.....I am really impressed that Annie ate so many pieces!! Go Annie (dance) If Sophie has eaten her duck before and doesn't seem to mind it (I am assuming, given she has been eating it) stick to it. She will have days where she will eat more than others. Each ferret is different. Some will have a day, two or more a week they don't eat much and then at a certain meal they will eat lots. Also, ferrets don't always eat a lot at a time. Sometimes they do where other days they may graze throughout the day. Also, the soupies I've made all have some pieces of bone- some small, ~ 1/8 inch or smaller,then some larger, ~ 1/4-1/2 inch. I've been taking the bigger ones out, because I'm afraid Annie might eat one and get it stuck in her(not that she would even think about eating something like that) Since I just got one over a GI issue, I'm paranoid about having something happen to her. I think I'm being a little overly protective, but I would like your opinion, please?So I am curious why you are making soupie with bone? Typically soupie is made with egg shell powder. I wouldn't recommend bone for the simple fact that if they aren't chewing it yet they aren't going to likely consume the bone. Bone is best served in larger portions that they can knaw on to a good size for them to swallow. So, today Sophie ate next to nothing. MAYBE 1/4 tsp duck in the morning, 1/8 tsp tonite( it was pork soupie, very thin. Annie ate minimally also, ~1/2 oz. Since Annie ate all the pork the last time I gave it, I am puzzled why not tonite. but she did eat some slivers and 3 larger pieces when I held her. I am beginning to feel frustrated because it seems I've been at the same place for over a month. I could use some more feedbackI see that after this Annie ate- so that is good. Like I mentioned previously, they will vary from day to day. That is one reason taking their weights is so important. When she doesn't eat much do you offer her some from a spoon/finger? Is she eating on her own at all yet? Is the soup warm? It sounds like you were feeding pork soupie to Sophie as well? Again, I would like you to stick to duck, and we will bring in more proteins later. If she needs encouragement to eat more you could always try adding some evoo or another treat to the top of her duck to encourage her to eat.
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Post by mjbez on Jun 23, 2014 22:50:03 GMT -5
Also- don't feel frustrated. This process can take a long time, sometimes many months but there will be progress. I'm impressed Annie will eat so many pieces. You can try bumping up the amount for her if you would like. If she starts spitting them out etc we will decrease size and amount. Keep the pieces pretty small. I would say no bigger than pinky finger nail but since she is eating some pieces perhaps a bit bigger you could try the bigger size that she has accepted and eaten. Annie will move along more quickly in this process than Sophie and thats OK
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2014 21:33:08 GMT -5
Sophie developed bloody diarrhea last nite, was very lethargic- all in just a few hours. Took her back to the vet(at 1 AM)for more tests. they are beginning to think IBS. Since it was such a short time after she started back on raw, I am putting her back on kibble for the time being. She was also slightly hypoglycemic. Looking a bit better today.
What's unblended food? you asked if Annie ate unblended food.
I'm making soupie with bone because the recipe says chicken thigh meat, doesn't say boneless chicken thigh meat. You mean it's not supposed to have the bones? I do add eggshell per the recipe.
Annie is eating on her own, I will sometimes put some on my finger to get her started but after that she's on her own. Tonite she ate some, left to run around the house and when i put her back in the cage she started eating it again. I am very tired after last nite, and can't think anymore, will post tomorrow.
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Post by mjbez on Jun 25, 2014 20:01:35 GMT -5
You meantioned that some of the soupies you feed are not completely blended (larger chunks) and I was curious is Annie is eating the pieces that haven't been pureed. Soupie is not typically blended with bones, that is what the egg shell powder is for. The bones that are in larger pieces can be a choking hazard. So unless your blender can mince them really tiny I would say ditch the bone and just use the meat and egg shell powder.
As for Sophie - I am sorry to hear she had another trip to the vet. How is she feeling now? What was she eating before this happened? Did you have her only on duck? IBD is manageable through a raw diet. Hypoglycemic is the one that concerns me. And to be honest, kibble is NOT going to help that situation. It is easier to stabilize blood sugars on a raw diet than a kibble diet. Are you able to get your hand on NV lamb? This is probably one of the best meats for a sensitive tummy.
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Post by mjbez on Jun 25, 2014 20:02:25 GMT -5
I will be checking in with some of our senior mentors regarding the best plan of action for Sophie. Just so I know, what kibble did you put her on?
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