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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 10:47:56 GMT -5
Thanks! That sounds like a much better way to mallet bones than the first time I tried. Too much mess and not enough crushed bones.
So, the restaurant supply place had open hours listed for Sunday so I went over there to find they were closed. May try tonight. Yesterday was the first day back to work and I was a little worried that the cat was going to protest by destroying things. He was pretty good, although he did get into a bag of corn tortillas and took out some frustration on them. He and Alvin rough housed all night and they had a good time.
Alvin tried lamb for the first time yesterday and loved it. Since u wasn't sure he would like it and lamb is generally pretty pricey I bought a scoop of ground from the market. Will give him hearts tonight and then back to slivers in the morning. He does seem to like everything now, even the beef I gave him. Good boy!
Thanks! I will send another update soon.
Good luck with your work/classes/students.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 13:22:41 GMT -5
I've had that happen before! Lol, You get all excited to go to a store and you get there and bam, closed. What?! Lol. It's alright, whenever you can get it, it's fine. Just another way to make crushing bones easier. I'm superrrrr glad that he's getting back into the groove of chowing down and even with new proteins!
I'm a lab technician, I prep/ make all the chemicals for a particular course but, I step in wherever I'm needed. Like yesterday, The course coordinator never send us the experiment calendar and my coworker didnt make anything, and I stepped in to cover what was needed since he wasn't in yet. Things happen, especially when the coordinator doesn't give us the heads up in advanced. lol
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 9:29:04 GMT -5
Alvin continues to impress me. He ate all of his hearts yesterday and this morning ate his pork all on his own. He and the cat played for an entire hour yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work. Those two have bonded nicely, and Alvin takes the cat bops on the head in stride. I'm going to spend quality time this weekend crushing bone (we have a hen that I would love to get Alvin to eat more than just the meat I can pull off). Liver tonight for dinner. I am still giving Alvin baby food in small quantities as a treat and to get him started eating. Is that harmful to him in any way? I'm sure that the meat or organs is the largest ingredient by far but Alvin lives the baby food and refuses all other treats.
Oh, I also discovered that Alvin loves quail eggs after being hesitant about them. Mixed one in with the hearts and he was chowing down. Love that he loves his meats!
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 15:37:15 GMT -5
That's great news! I'm so happy that he's progressing back to his old self again! (dance) As far as baby food, which one are you giving? There's one that has no carbs in it. I believe it's called beech-nut. The other ones usually have carbs. As much as I'd hope that he'd get off the baby food, it's currently helping and if you say it's only a little bit, then it's alright. Maybe try a day without it? Just to see if he goes for the food without it. If he doesnt, add the little bit and let him eat. Yay for quail eggs! That's awesome that he's right on track and not being hesistant again. So happyy!!!
Let me know how the bone crushing goes on the weekend. Send pictures if you take any. =) And keep up the great work! I couldn't be any prouder of you and Alvin.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 7:35:12 GMT -5
I was using Gerber chicken. I bought a jar of beech nut to try. I did give Alvin ground pork (I pulled some off from my dinner but he is beyond grounds now) and mixed with a little water and salmon oil but no babyfood. He didn't seem to notice the lack of babyfood. I usually need to break down breakfast into a few feedings as he is more I Teresa ed in playing. I give him a few bites, let him play and then a few more bites. If I leave food out for him during the day he just ignores it. But today is my telework day and I only need 4 hrs so he will be free roaming most of the day.
Alvin may have eaten some cat kibble yesterday. Ugh. I found him standing next to the cat food but I didn't see him eat. He did get a drink out of the water bowl and I was happy he is drinking on his own. He has been getting all his water from meals but he always has water in his room.
Have a great day!
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2015 12:48:08 GMT -5
Sorry that I've been absent for a few days. I'm glad that he's progressing so much! I hope that he didn't get into the kibble but if he ever does, remember to not feed him for 1-2 hrs so his tummy doesn't get upset.
How did the beech nut baby food go? I mean if he didnt even realize that the baby food was gone with the water and salmon oil, he can live without it. A few little licks is okay so he's still acquainted with it should he become ill and need to go back to soupies.
How did the bone crushing go? Let me know lol.
Have a great day as well! ^_^
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2015 22:47:06 GMT -5
Hi Jocelyn, my computer is the one that posts pictures to the forum much better than my phone so I decided to post the pictures to FB. Alvin has been very picky the last few days and I trying to maintain a fair balance between getting him to eat and getting him to chew on slivers. I checked his gums and they look okay so I keep strongly encouraging him to eat slivers. He spits out chicken at all costs. Got him to eat a bit of hen and pork but the balance is FDR. I don't want him to step backwards and I know getting him to eat slivers will help his gums if they are bothering him. He has had 2 days of diarrhea so I gave him carafate, added more egg shell and tried to get him to eat more than FDR. He is getting weaned off the babyfood and I sure that is part of his resistance to slivers. Tried adding a bit of salmon oil and quail egg which I have a feeling is adding To his diarrhea issues. He is hibernating with our long streak of rainy and cool weather but otherwise seems okay. His nose is coo,, wet and his eyes are bright so I'm not suspecting a cold or stress. We have had a lot of company that has messed up his routine so I know everything is coming to play. He doesn't seem to have lost weight and his prednisone was reduced a bit and his sugars seem normal.
I've tried getting him off the babyfood but getting him to chew has been a struggle. Would it be harmful to make a thick soupie with pork as a base instead of chicken and use that to replace his babyfood? Add his slivers to the soupie and try to encourage him to chew that way? Even if I add just water and oil to his slivers he will lick everything and leave the pieces he needs to chew. He has gotten very good at spitting slivers out. He does seem to try to chew for a few seconds and then spits it out.
He loves his hard rubber bone and crocheted eggs. He doesn't chew them but he protects them like they are his babies. I'm finding them tucked away in Alvin's sleepy spots (mostly closets) and he just started moving them around again since all our company has left. I'm trying to find some special non food treat for him which could be a walk in his stroller. He really is such a good boy!
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 16:11:44 GMT -5
my computer is the one that posts pictures to the forum much better than my phone so I decided to post the pictures to FB. Alvin has been very picky the last few days and I trying to maintain a fair balance between getting him to eat and getting him to chew on slivers. I checked his gums and they look okay so I keep strongly encouraging him to eat slivers. He spits out chicken at all costs. Got him to eat a bit of hen and pork but the balance is FDR. I don't want him to step backwards and I know getting him to eat slivers will help his gums if they are bothering him. He has had 2 days of diarrhea so I gave him carafate, added more egg shell and tried to get him to eat more than FDR. He is getting weaned off the babyfood and I sure that is part of his resistance to slivers. Tried adding a bit of salmon oil and quail egg which I have a feeling is adding To his diarrhea issues. He is hibernating with our long streak of rainy and cool weather but otherwise seems okay. His nose is coo,, wet and his eyes are bright so I'm not suspecting a cold or stress. We have had a lot of company that has messed up his routine so I know everything is coming to play. He doesn't seem to have lost weight and his prednisone was reduced a bit and his sugars seem normal.
That was fine, Sometimes the forum is a bit behind in the times so that's okay if you want to tag me on other picture on FB.
Now, Mr. Alvin... why are we reverting back to bad behavior when you were doing so good! Grr. I think the eggs probably caused the loose stools as well. When did you give the eggs and when did the diarrhea begin? Remember that too much eggs and oil can cause loose stools. Maybe he's reverted because of the little upset tummy? How are his stools right now? Back to normal or almost there?
Also, since he's fussy with chicken, try a bit of soupie (of his favorite protein) with the chicken slivers.
Would it be harmful to make a thick soupie with pork as a base instead of chicken and use that to replace his babyfood? Add his slivers to the soupie and try to encourage him to chew that way? Even if I add just water and oil to his slivers he will lick everything and leave the pieces he needs to chew. He has gotten very good at spitting slivers out. He does seem to try to chew for a few seconds and then spits it out.
Yes, I think I mentioned that you can add soupies to his slivers to entice him to eating them. That's absolutely okay to do. But we don't want him to get used to the mix of soup and slivers. Slowly and gradually, you'll need to decrease the amount of soup to sliver ratio.
He loves his hard rubber bone and crocheted eggs. He doesn't chew them but he protects them like they are his babies. I'm finding them tucked away in Alvin's sleepy spots (mostly closets) and he just started moving them around again since all our company has left. I'm trying to find some special non food treat for him which could be a walk in his stroller.
Aww. Pinky had a little tiger he was highly protective of. It's cute. Treats could be FDR, a lick of his fave oil, a little piece of his fave meat, etc.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2015 10:26:02 GMT -5
Hi Jocelyn, it's so rewarding watching our babies protect their babies. So cute.
Alvin is chewing again! Small slivers only right now, but he isn't spitting them out any more. Whew. Yeah, the quail eggs were timed with his loose potty which is starting to form up again. Adding extra eggshells. He's not eating any of the food I leave out for him at day or night, but his eyes are still bright, he is looking healthy and he's still giving kisses so I'm thinking his lack of extra play time is due to this unusually dark, cold weather we are having. I'm running late to work so I will have to keep this entry short. Just wanted to let you know he is improving and looking good. Talk to you later!
Edit: Alvin has been fairly lazy the last few days. Not looking puny or ill, just sleepy. He was eating and playing in short spurts and his eyes were bright. Well tonight he started playing and playing! He ate half his dinner (hearts with a few pieces of hen). He was chasing balls, bouncing, going into his tube and even wagging his tail. He has been chasing the cat too. I will give him his second dinner before I head off to bed. Earlier today Alvin chose to sleep in his cage downstairs instead of his room upstairs. I giving him options to choose from to make up for the tough love he is getting with his food. I'm one very happy ferret mama right now!
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 13:12:05 GMT -5
That's awesome that he's up and playing again! And even eating. I'm sure he's one happy boy with options and even a room. Look at him being spoiled over there lol.
I'm happy that he's eating again! How are his stools doing? Much better? Just wondering how his tummy is doing.
Also, when is he starting bones? I know I keep asking but he's been on small slivers, so we can either increase size (which he won't be a happy camper) or introduce bones. The choice is yours.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 22:03:11 GMT -5
His poops are hit and miss. Yesterday morning they were normal. Yesterday afternoon and night orange-is and mucousy. Today better.
I am nervous about bones but I know I just need to get over it. I am worried he either won't eat it and shy away from solid food again or he will eat some and somehow get hurt. I know it's my issue and he needs them. I still have half the hen to try to cut up more and we have a lot of frozen quail.
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 13:01:06 GMT -5
We're all scared at the beginning. I remember listening to Pinky crush his for bone, I thought he broke his tooth, but he didnt. It's okay to be scared because it's something new. The entire meal does not have to be bones with a little bit of slivers. He's starting on bones so you can make that beef soup you spoke about earlier, add in slivers of his favorite protein or organ and add in a little bit of crushed up bones and mix it in really well so that the bones stick onto the slivers with soup. It's like sticking your toe into the pool. Slow and gradual, remember that. We have to make him understand that this new thing is food and not poison. The next time you can do the same, add a little bit more of bones (weight it the first time if you want to see how much you're adding) and add less soup. But we won't get anywhere unless he tries it, then we will know how to proceed with it. Do it on a day when you're home all day if you'd like, so that way you won't feel rushed to head out the food and not know if he ate all of it. Until then, just try upping the sizes of the slivers with a little bit of soup so it's more appealing to him. h*ll, use the tenderizer to make the meat a little less rough if he's a little picky. Baby steps, this process is nothing but baby steps and sometimes we go backwards, but it's okay because we always move forward in the end. Just look at Alvin's progress. He went from not waiting it, to loving it, to backing off a bit, back to eating alone.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 14:48:00 GMT -5
Thanks Jocelyn! I will give that a shot this weekend. He has been doing so well. Today is my telework day so the boys (Alvin and Colby cat) have been out all day. Alvin found one of my shirts to nap in. He is so cute.
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2015 13:48:11 GMT -5
Soooo, how did it go? Good I hope -fingers crossed-
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2015 16:00:26 GMT -5
I honestly didn't get a chance to try. Alvin was stubborn with his food all weekend with slivers, stella's anything other than baby food. I tried not to indulge him too much but certainly didn't let him starve. He ate a ton of ground lamb today but he also started chewing on thkngs. Fabric type thkngs. Other than the obvious worries about ingesting fibers and blockages could the sudden chewing be indicative of something? Maybe that he is finally hungry?
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