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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 15:36:49 GMT -5
Lily a 2 year old female ferret has been acting a but weird, she isnt very playful and is the first to run out of the cage. Its almost like she doesnt wanna get out. No matter how hard i try she just tries to find a new sleeping or hiding spot. although as i type this she is running around and trying to get into my suitcase  im not sure where to post this but i recall reading signs of depression can be for a serious disease  Sorry if i sound confusing |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 16:07:56 GMT -5
Maybe a typing error or I am not following u ---sorry.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 16:12:48 GMT -5
Take a look at her ears, nose and paws. Are they a nice healthy pink? Has she lost any weight lately. Has she been around any other animals like a new pet store ferret? How is she eating and what do her poops look like? You have two right, Lily and Rose. Is Rose acting normal with her regular energy levels? One thing to look at is that for alot of us, it's summer. Ferrets don't like the heat. They eat less and sleep more. If you can post a picture of her, that might help. I will move this thread to Health and Medical. It will still show up under New Topics. Sending Lily some "Hope you feel well" thoughts.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 16:35:14 GMT -5
Take a look at her ears, nose and paws. Are they a nice healthy pink? Has she lost any weight lately. Has she been around any other animals like a new pet store ferret? How is she eating and what do her poops look like? You have two right, Lily and Rose. Is Rose acting normal with her regular energy levels? One thing to look at is that for alot of us, it's summer. Ferrets don't like the heat. They eat less and sleep more. If you can post a picture of her, that might help. I will move this thread to Health and Medical. It will still show up under New Topics. Sending Lily some "Hope you feel well" thoughts. Yes, all pink her paws are a bit dry. Yes she used to be quite big and once we changed her over too a raw diet she lost weight (Rose gained weight) No, but my older brother just came to visit my family (although hes only held rose) She is eating well, the only thing is she likes to hide her food :  : Yes rose is acting normal, rose isnt as playful (unless its lily playing with her) They sleep alot (as ferrets do) they get very excited when i bring out food but Lily just seems different. Not sure what but i dont want to take her too the vet (Its 1 hour away) and stress her out  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 16:37:47 GMT -5
Maybe a typing error or I am not following u ---sorry. Sorry, i meant she usually is the first to run out of the cage and play , but now she just hasnt done that in a couple days |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 16:42:26 GMT -5
You talked about dry skin once, a long time ago. Some more fats in her diet will help with that. Some fish oil and or an egg (once a week) can also help.
Stashing is part of a ferret's natural instinct and a great bit of fun for them. I have to do a stash patrol once a day, especially in the summer. They love hiding and eating that jerkified stash.
Yuck!
I know it's hard to get them to a vet and can be expensive but sometimes, it's best to trust your instincts. If something seems off, it probably is.
Try to work on keeping her nice and cool for a day or so. See if she perks up with that. Chances are it's the heat. What temperature is her room or your room? Is there a ceiling fan or AC on for them?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 18:15:46 GMT -5
You talked about dry skin once, a long time ago. Some more fats in her diet will help with that. Some fish oil and or an egg (once a week) can also help. Stashing is part of a ferret's natural instinct and a great bit of fun for them. I have to do a stash patrol once a day, especially in the summer. They love hiding and eating that jerkified stash. Yuck! I know it's hard to get them to a vet and can be expensive but sometimes, it's best to trust your instincts. If something seems off, it probably is. Try to work on keeping her nice and cool for a day or so. See if she perks up with that. Chances are it's the heat. What temperature is her room or your room? Is there a ceiling fan or AC on for them? Yes, rose had dry skin (All the animals did) thats gone and my house has AC so its very cool  I will add some oil to their diet and do you have any ferret vitamins that could improve the girls health? I always see them in pet stores but im too nervous to buy them. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 18:28:09 GMT -5
Kind of like you--scared of the vitamins, but like What Ponce said--- some salmon oil and egg.
Maybe some chicken thigh pieces with skin.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2015 8:49:28 GMT -5
If their menu is balanced, they don't really need any vitamins. Look at the ingredients on the back of Ferret supplements, treats etc... If you see any addded sweeteners/starches or fruits and veggies and you probably will, then don't buy those. Why don't you post your weekly menu, you said you are feeding raw. We can look at it and maybe make some suggestions. Your house is nice and cool, that's good. The next thing to consider is that ferrets have two body types, a whippet which is long and lean like the Whippet Dog. Lily may be the long and lean body type and it is summer, which means they eat less and get thinner. Rose may be more the Bulldog body type, short/stocky and muscular. So, when you went raw then she put on more muscle and lost fat but weighs more. It's had to say without a closeup picture. Can you get a picture of both girls? Hold them up and let them dangle. If Lily is too thin, you will see her ribs and she will have a waist line. I'd still love to see her get a vet visit. I'll tag Heather and katt for more help. |
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Post by Heather on Jul 22, 2015 13:39:23 GMT -5
I know this sounds like a cop out but....if my gut is telling me something is wrong, I take my ferret to the vet. It sometimes takes a bit but usually I'm right. A ferret like all carnivores instinctively tries to hide pain and illness (think cats....if they hide they're sick). It's the same with ferrets. If her behaviour is off then it might indeed be something that needs to be seen to.
How is her appetite (it is summer so she's going to eat less)
How are her stools?
You mention depressed...is there a reason that she might be depressed? Loss of a friend? Human friends? New space? No out of cage time?
Just some ideas.
ciao
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Post by katt on Jul 22, 2015 19:31:37 GMT -5
I agree with the others, I would vet her. Trust your gut - if you think something might be wrong it probably is. I recently had Koda checked out for similar symptoms - vague decrease in energy with no change in appetite or poops. Turns out he has cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart). Ferrets are masters at hiding illness - if she is acting off she is probably feeling off.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 8:25:59 GMT -5
Should we be supplementing with some taurine capsules a few times a week? Is there any reversal for this?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 23:44:19 GMT -5
If their menu is balanced, they don't really need any vitamins. Look at the ingredients on the back of Ferret supplements, treats etc... If you see any addded sweeteners/starches or fruits and veggies and you probably will, then don't buy those. Why don't you post your weekly menu, you said you are feeding raw. We can look at it and maybe make some suggestions. Your house is nice and cool, that's good. The next thing to consider is that ferrets have two body types, a whippet which is long and lean like the Whippet Dog. Lily may be the long and lean body type and it is summer, which means they eat less and get thinner. Rose may be more the Bulldog body type, short/stocky and muscular. So, when you went raw then she put on more muscle and lost fat but weighs more. It's had to say without a closeup picture. Can you get a picture of both girls? Hold them up and let them dangle. If Lily is too thin, you will see her ribs and she will have a waist line. I'd still love to see her get a vet visit. I'll tag Heather and katt for more help. Her weekly diet consists of Livers, gizzards, hards minced beef. we also cut chicken off the bone. I dont really have an order, i just go but a ton of it then i start with liver and go on to the next food. If that makes any sense :PI cant get a picture right now but as soon as i can i will post it! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 23:47:00 GMT -5
Should we be supplementing with some taurine capsules a few times a week? Is there any reversal for this? What are those? Also i see you live quite close to me! What vet do you go to? How far away is it from you? I wanna look at different vets but no one i know in my area has ferrets so i no one can give me reccomendations. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2015 2:06:21 GMT -5
www.carolinavet.com/about-carolina-veterinary/animal-doctors/lauren-powers-avian-exotic-pets/ I go to Lauren Powers at the office in Huntersville. Some of the areas mentioned r not too far from each other. Taurine capsules contain powdered synthetic taurine that u can break open and sprinkle on food.Taurine prevents cats and ferrets from deterioration of heart muscles and is good for eyesight. Rabbit meat for example is low in taurine. Chicken hearts r good . Will try to find list of meats and their taurine load
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