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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2014 21:19:46 GMT -5
Elvyra ate a chicken wing! I wish I would have weighed it, but I didn't think anyone would eat it; maybe pull at the skin/meat. .... but I'm pretty sure she ate some bone! I think she ate 3 to 4 pieces! Ahhhhh, so exciting! That said, everyone else waited for soup Elvyra joined in on the soup too. ... and picked out the chunks to eat first! Very exciting Friday night
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 10:29:10 GMT -5
What a great weekend! I went to Target for the KitchenAid Cleaver for $12-I missed the sale But the 'retail price' was $14.97 + tax, so I got it and it was great once I got over the fear of chopping my fingers off! I cut up a CGH and was so excited for the rest of the babies to join Elvyra-No one touched it. Does CGH 'taste' different from chicken thighs? I drizzled some salmon oil over it...then I added a little warm water...then after an hour I put a couple spoonfulls of soup = nothing I put the rest of the bird in a container in the freezer and will try again at a later time. I did chop up some CGH meat and added that to their soup. The plates were clean this morning I was exhausted last night so I didn't weigh the babies, but that's on the agenda tonight. I hope Zoey put the 3oz back on! Reshiram has been eating so much so I'm anxious to see if he put on more weight!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2014 13:36:36 GMT -5
Zoey and Zekrom both gained weight- 3 and 2 oz! Pepper and Reshiram both lost a couple ounces and Elvyra lost 1 oz. I huffed Reshiram=Corn chips! Ah, he smells so so good! Elvyra had a little corn chip scent, but not as strong as Reshies. The other 3 do not have a smell I'm not sure if this is something to be worried about; I hope not because I'm not home right now and she seemed fine this morning... Zoey was the only one awake around 6pm and was hungry (I had been giving them fresh soup closer to 9pm each night) and she ate the CGH pieces! It wasn't until after she was done that I realized it was almost 24 hours the CGH pieces had been sitting on the plate in their cage. I went to let everyone out around 9pm, as usual, and Zoey just layed in the hammock. I did give them fresh soup with CGH slivers/chunks about 30 minutes prior...but it was weird. I kept petting her and finally picked her up to come out and play. She wondered around and drank some water... Everyone stayed out last night and I slept in the living room The alarm went off and everyone, except Zekrom, was at my feet ready for breakfast! I got their soup ready and everyone ate, including Zoey. I gave everyone kisses and tucked them in the hammocks before I got Zekrom. I found him, gave him kisses, and placed him next to the soup bowl (he was a hungry baby too!) I'm just worried that: She could get a bacteria overload? She has not had bone before and she swallows pieces of meat!(if they are thumb size, she might chew a little, but she does not chew much) Could this hurt her tummy/intestines? What should I watch for?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2014 13:20:01 GMT -5
ZOEY ATE HALF A CGH WING! I couldn't believe it!! I cut up the wing (with scissors) and put a few chunks on the plate and put it in the cage. She went right to it and started chewing! I could hear her crunching bone, but it didn't look like she chewed it enough? Her enegry was great last night and had a good helping of soup this morning It's amazing to see how far she has come! (I believe the 24th will be one month kibble free!) Tonight I am going to make more soup but this time I will do 1/4 chunks and 3/4 soup. I might even be able to do half/half but I don't want to back track. Woo hoo! So excited!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2014 15:35:01 GMT -5
When I thawed 12oz 'already chunked/cut up to be blended' chicken yeaterday, I forgot to thaw hearts and liver Luckily, I have a dozen baggies of frozen hearts, preweighed 1 oz, but the liver container is unopened. So I tried to blend the hearts smooth (smooth-ish) and then threw in 3/4 of the container of chicken into the magic bullet. It came out how I wanted-a little chunky with the 'puree' soup/chicken. Last night, and this morning before work (with fresh 'soup') I saw everyone CHEWING! I'll be anxious to see how tonight and tomorrow goes-I'm hoping this is a regular thing! I'm wondering what the next step should be? Should I be thinking about an actual menu? I really hope someone can help us out on what to do at this point!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2014 13:53:56 GMT -5
Man o man, my little babies are growing up! I saw everyone last night chewing away! Zoey, once again, chompped CGH bones! (I smashed a CGH leg with a hammer and cut into pieces) I left a plate of chicken chunks and a plate of the CGH leg pieces in their cage overnight-both were clean this morning!! I can't wait to see how they are when I get home! I have a package of chicken thighs and container of livers(chicken) thawing. I think I'll make a couple batches of soup just to have in the freezer. It almost feels too good to be real, but I really hope Zoey continues impressing me! I also hope she tells her brothers and sisters that bone is delicious and they should try it too! I'm going to take some pictures, hopefully, tonight. I know I'll be able to post on FB but I'll try to get them on here (My computer is being wonky). Wish us luck!!
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Post by gfountain on Nov 21, 2014 16:29:31 GMT -5
I'm posting here so I'll get notifications when you update. I'm sorry that I've not commented on here before now. I've been sort of following along, but you've been doing so well that I just haven't taken the time to post. I'll try to do better. (shy)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 11:54:42 GMT -5
thank you gfountain! Your switching thread was the one that helped Zoey eat bone!(I saw this weekend that your thread was the one that mentioned cutting the bone with kitchen shears is easier to expose the marrow to get them going-so thank YOU!) I'm not sure if we had a set back, the weather change making them less hungry, or if I pushed too much... Zoey did well Friday night and Saturday with her CGH bones, but last night she wasn't diggin it She had a good helping of soup this morning though. Zekrom was actually the most hungry at mealtime and ate some chunks too. He also lost 4oz since last weigh in(2 lbs 12oz on the 17th) however, he 'usually' has weighed in at 2lb 8oz. I'm thinking maybe last week he ate before I weighed him? But I cannot rememeber if that's the case. His appetite and energy are both good! Reshiram is 'waiting until everyone is finshed' before he will eat-not sure why? But when he starts to eat, he eats a good amount. Elvyra ate a few chunks but not much-I don't think she likes CGH either but her weight was the same as last week. Pepper is the one I was worrying about all weekend. I think she's grinding her teeth Not all the time, and I'm not sure how long she has been doing it (Probably not more than 3 weeks at best) but the times I've seen it before-I thought she was just chewing. When I got home Friday, I noticed she would do it when she woke up. She yawns, licks her lips, and then starts 'chewing'...I offered slivers/chunks and she would lick them and then go lay down (in a hammock).I gave her 2 mini chunks by hand and she ate them but that was all I could get her to eat so I made some soup. That poor babygirl ate almost 3 oz in one sitting! She is the biggest female, but she really ate a lot even for her. She has not lost any weight but I'll keep my eye on her. I really hope this doesn't mean she has an ulcer...maybe she was just hungry? Always worrying 'bout my babies... Today marks one month kibble free
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Post by gfountain on Nov 24, 2014 13:49:46 GMT -5
Glad I could help. I can't keep track of which of your kids are which. It helps that their names are in bold; now I just need to try to put names with faces! Zoey maybe just wasn't hungry last night. Mine will often just pass on a meal and of course I worry, but then they're waiting at the dish for their next meal so I have to assume they just weren't hungry or didn't like what I was serving. Zekrom - could last week's weight have been off? Either way, sounds like he's doing fine! Reshiram - I've got one of those 'wait till everyone is done' guys. It's frustrating because I've also got a 'eat everything in sight immediately' guy and he doesn't usually leave anything for the 'wait' guy. (headwall) Elvyra - <shrug> maybe she just wasn't hungry? She'll probably eat lots at the next meal to make up for skipping one. Pepper - I'm worried about the grinding. That usually means some kind of pain - ulcer, upset tummy. 3 weeks is a long time for that to be going on. And she's not wanting the solid food, but is hungry for the soup. Have you checked her mouth for anything unusual? Tooth or gum problems, mouth ulcer? Hooray for kibble free!!! You guys are doing great!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 14:19:10 GMT -5
Haha, sometimes I have a hard time keeping track too I was thinking about it, I did not crush the CGH bones last night with a hammer first as I've done previously.....maybe that was enough for Zoey not to be interested? I'll try offering as is again and if she's not a fan, I'll go back to smashing Zekrom-he's my problem child. I suspect adrenal disease even 3 different vets said "he's fine". I've been caling my vet almost every week so she if they have heard or received confirmation when the des implants will arrive.(I'm sure you probably have seen my other thread about this) I started a weight log around mid October and wiegh them every week-10days. At first I was worried about Zekrom's weight but then saw that almost every week said 2lb 8oz.....I'll have to see what he weighs next week. Reshiram is such a chunk you could honestly mistake him for a polarbear cub with red eyes He warms my heart-he will stop at my feet and I'll ask him what he's doing and he'll flop on his back for a belly rub! (swoon!) Elvyra is a wannabe diva! But god love her, no matter how 'bad' she is, she will give you boo boo eyes that could make you weak in the knees Yeah, Pepper definitely has me worried. I'll try looking in her mouth; is there a good/best way to do it? I was thinking scruffing? I was trying to remember the first time I saw her do this, and can only think this started since I pulled the kibble. (maybe only because I'm more in tune with their every move now) Until this past Friday, she had no issue with chunks/slivers. I'm hoping it's nothing :/
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Post by gfountain on Nov 24, 2014 15:56:11 GMT -5
Ah, that may have been the issue for Zoey. If she won't take them whole yet, smash them for her but each time smash them a little less so the pieces of bone increase in size. Best way to look in a mouth.. probably scruffing.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 11:46:08 GMT -5
Not too much new in the way of the switch-Worried now for Zekrom. I have 2 other posts out there but on here I can see the time table. Monday night (11/24/14) I noticed him stuggling to go to the bathroom. He finally pooped (looked like an egg poop but formed) but no urine. I didn't have the means to take him to an emergency vet that night, so I prayed he could make it to the next day. I called the closer vet (the one that sees ferrets, but is more cats&dogs) and got an appointment at 5:30. The vet we usually see would not be in that late, but Dr. Smith would see him. She couldn't have been nicer and spoke with the 'usual' vet and ordered lupron (should be in Friday/Saturday). She expressed his bladder with a medium amount of urine-you could tell he was in pain He also got a prolapse from this...poor thing. She was able to 'tuck' it back in so she suggested I put some vaseline on it if it sticks out again. When we got home, he went right to the cage and pooped (light yellow/off white color and formed-looks like an egg poop but not sticky) and urinated! But I have not seen him urinate since. He did have a good amount for breakfast (pudding soup) but he was sleepy. I think he is usually sleepy but I'm more in tune with his every move right now. I'm mad! I'm more than mad! This is exactly why I called over 3 weeks ago to get him on lupron while the des is unavailable!(and now I see it won't be available until mid-late December....and I was worried Virbac would push back the November time frame). Ugh, and this isn't a matter of me being right-I'm just tired of worrying. And Thanksgiving is tomorrow-I have 2 emergency vet numbers but I have not been to either. God forbid, if we have to go, I sure hope they now what they are doing. Now, once we get the lupron; how long does it take to *help* his prostate? Since he has the prolaspe, is this something I'll have to watch and care for from now on? On a happier note, I have not seen Pepper grind her teeth and could not see anything in her mouth. Ugh, I'm emotionally exhausted.
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Post by gfountain on Nov 26, 2014 16:11:17 GMT -5
For the prolapse, IF it's minor, put a little sugar on it and hold him for a few minutes so he can't lick it off.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 16:31:14 GMT -5
Hope he's feeling better soon.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 10:53:47 GMT -5
Thank you gfountain and @jdomian! Zekrom is doing well! Urinating without stuggling and poops are good WITHOUT a prolapse reoccurring!!!!!! Poor guy though-he has no privacy since I'm all up in his business :/ Everytime I see him urinate, I'm relieved but then get nervous he won't be able to go the next time. He is such a love-I did 'baby manicures' yesterday and Zekrom just melted my heart! After I got all 20 'toes' done, he was still licking the salmon oil off his tummy so I started massaging his feet and his arms- he then started grooming himself by licking his 'hands' the rubbing his face/head with his hands (I hope you know what I'm talking about) I absolutely LOVE when they do this! And he was right there, on my lap, doing it! My sweet baby boy! In the way of the switch... Everyone is still doing well. I introduced a new protein yesterday-pork ribs(boneless since they were on sale). I did 1/3 pork and 2/3 chicken and blended that together. At first Zekrom and Reshiram were confused what it was...so I added a half pump of salmon oil with warm water-bingo! Everyone ate that mixture! I think I'll do another batch that way, then tomorrow or Sunday try half pork half chicken. I am wondering about food allergies... What are the signs? I'll look through the forum and see if I can find anything but if someone reads this and has experience, plese let me know This morning, as I was thinking about the allergies and Zekrom's issues, I almost kicked myself for trying something new now......I hope I didn't open the door of new issues arising and worring about someone else..... Oh way, my SD card in my phone got 'unmounted' somehow and my 670+ photos are gone Oh well, at least my babies are okay for the time being I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving!
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