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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 0:42:13 GMT -5
Thank you Natalia, I am feeling a lot better. I am excited to tell you all that tonight Bandit, Maverick, and Paisley all ate soupie from a bowl independently without me prompting them at all! I'm so proud of them! Durango will lick it off my fingers and went to the bowl and sniffed and tipped up to get a closer look, still not eating on his own. He will lick it from my fingers but thats it. Hoss took a few tentative licks but wouldn't eat anymore than that. Cowboy still thinks it's poison. I was able to get a few tastes in his mouth, but he is not interested at all and locks his jaw and fights me to even taste it. I put some on his nose, he licked it off and was not happy. I will continue working with him. I think that Durango will catch on in no time, Hoss may take a little more time, but I think he'll eventually accept...I"m not sure about Cowboy... My report cards, I know they're late. Sorry about that. Also my dangling pics as promised. Cowboy 2lbs 12oz Cowboy is not eating any raw at all yet. stools are normal activity level normal Currently still eating his kibble Maverick 2lbs 10oz Maverick just ate soupie independently for the first time today. I did not measure amount. Stools are normal Activity level is normal He is still eating his kibble with soupie offered twice daily. Bandit 3lbs Bandit just ate soupie independently for the first time today. I did not measure amount. Stools are normal Activity level is normal He is still eating his kibble with soupie offered twice daily. Durango 2lbs 10oz Durango shows a little interest in soupie. He is still only eating off of my finger. Stools are normal Activity level is normal He is still eating his kibble with soupie offered twice daily. Paisley 2lbs 3oz Paisley just ate soupie independently for the first time today. I did not measure amount. Stools are normal Activity level is normal She is still eating her kibble with soupie offered twice daily. Hoss 3lbs 10oz Hoss will take a few licks from finger, not much interest in soupie. Stools are normal Activity level is normal He is still eating his kibble with soupie offered twice daily. I am working with everyone when I offer soup. I am sitting on the floor, holding everyone (one at a time obviously) and encouraging eating. I make sure to get a few tastes inside their mouths and work with them until they get frustrated. I feel as though I am making some progress but we obviously still have a long way to go.
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Post by dorena261-Natalia on Feb 24, 2016 5:30:58 GMT -5
i love your ferrets! they are all so beautiful and Hoss is so fluffy it can be very hard in the begining, esp if you have more than one ferret. they won't switch over night, it can be a long process and it is important that you are not frustrated and know what to expect for every step on the way. that's why we are here make sure you do make a spacing between the kibble and raw, wait at least 3-4 hrs so they won't have upset tummy. just keep offering them. try to offer the soup to Durango and Hoss with the spoon as soon as they are comfortable with the raw meat taste. Cowboy will get there too, don't worry, you just have to be more stubborn than he is LOL. this is a great start, i am so proud of them!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 8:46:10 GMT -5
You're doing great. Working with them is so important and it's fun also. They are all beautiful Ferrets and coming along at a pretty normal pace. Start cutting back on the amount of kibble now. If Cowboy and Hoss know the kibble is coming then they will hold out for it. Spring is coming and they will eat less so we don't want them to refuse the soupie and wait for the kibble. They are young enough and no one has Insulinoma so it won't hurt if they get a tiny bit hungry. That will make the soupie more enticing. I'd like to work on the soupie this week and see if we can loose the kibble in the next few days. Remember the soupie is safely left out for 6-8 hours. Try crunching up some kibble into a fine powder and sprinkle it on the soupie. Just enough for the smell to entice the stubborn ones and let it get a little wet so we aren't offering dry and wet at the same time. See how that goes over. How is Bandit doing with his elbow? Is everyone over their sniffles now? You're doing well and so are they. Give everyone a big hug and give yourself a 'Pat on the Back'.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2016 7:38:08 GMT -5
Just checking in. :peek: Please try to check in every day during this first stage. I know you have alot going on but we can still work on giving you some lessons and see how everyone is doing. :wave3:
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2016 8:10:50 GMT -5
Bandits elbow is okay. Some days he over does it and is sore, our vet provides us with a standing prescription for metacam, if he gets to limping really badly we give for 3 days and then stop. We don't have to do that very often though, we try to stay on top of him to make sure he doesn't over do it.
I had thought everyone was over their sniffles and coughs, the vet even called to check in on everyone and I told her everyone was getting better. Paisley and Durango spent a fair amount of the evening coughing...they may earn themselves a trip to the vet, we will see.
Maverick is half way through his 21 day course of antibiotics, when we're all done I'm going to request a re X-ray, if there's still fluid, we will move on to blood tests and then possible cardiologist.
We had what I consider a pretty good night last night with soupies. Bandit, maverick, and paisley all ate on their own. Maverick ate the most out of everyone (about 3 ounces) out of curiosity I cut up some chicken thigh really small and tried to feed to the three of them. Paisley only licked it but didn't try to eat it. Both maverick and bandit are a few pieces from my hand.
Durango licked soupie from my fingers and took a few licks from a bowl while holding it in my hand. He was very curious though, kept going over to the bowls and sniffing. After leaving the soupie and little chunks just sitting to my surprise Durango went over and helped himself to the chunks and ate two all by himself! Lol, I was very excited.
Hoss ate from my fingers but would not lick from a spoon or the bowl. And cowboy continues to have no interest and actually fights me to get away from the bowl or my fingers with soup on them.
I tried griding up some kibble and sprinkling it on top of soup, didn't seem to make him any more interested. I also removed kibble 4 hours before giving the soup.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2016 8:12:32 GMT -5
Oh. I apologize, I thought I had read I was supposed to post every second day. I'll post everyday from now on..
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2016 8:31:42 GMT -5
Good Morning. :wave3: You're right about posting every second day. My mistake and I apologize. It's early and I need my coffee. :cup: I'm glad Bandit's elbow is doing better. He's such a sweet boy. It sounds like Paisley and Durango are still a little sick and I hope they feel better soon. That was a good night with the soupie. Cowboy is a funny little fellow and I guess he will be our super stubborn one. He'll come around though, it's just a matter of time and finding the right way to convince him. Try offering him a separate small plate and change the temperature of the soup. If it's warm then try adding some cold water and see if he likes it cooler. Also try taking him into another room and see if he wants to try it when it's just the two of you. Dab some on his nose and talk sweetly to him. Then put a dab on his paw and see if he licks it off. Be gentle though. We don't want to frighten him but praise him for doing well. The next time that you offer some slivers then try standing at the sink and hold Paisley in your arms. Have a couple of long thin slivers ready and run one under some hot water for a second. Then offer it to her and wiggle it around her nose and mouth and see if she will accept it in her mouth. This has worked well for me and now my Wynstan thinks I should do this alot. He's a big goofball. Maverick and Bandit did great with the slivers. Once they actually eat one or two then it gets much easier and we'll be able to work on increasing the sizes. Durango did fantastic! Good for him. Hoss is enjoying the attention. If you need to keep using your fingers for a bit more than by all means do so. He might need the reassurance and your fingers smell familiar. It's not easy with six and six who were not feeling well but you are doing really well. I know it's alot of work keeping track of six and watching how they eat and following along with each one of them. I'm proud of you. Lovely job ferrenting.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2016 11:31:16 GMT -5
No worries! I'll be glad to post daily if you'd like! It is a bit difficult with 6! I also have a 7 year old two legged baby! Lol. But I'm keeping a journal of everyone and everything they do, that way I don't forget anything and I'm organized.
I'm happy with everyone's progress. Cowboy is definitely stubborn, he's the oldest of everyone, maybe he is just imprinted on his kibble? I will continue to work with him though, I think we'll get him to where he needs to be soon. They like these treats that are made by the same company as their kibble, ive been trying to switch them to a different treat...I'm thinking maybe I might try to crush them up and use them on top of soup for cowboy. It may work? I have been giving seperate bowls but adding warm water. I will try cold with cowboy tonight, maybe it's a temperature thing.
I will try some slivers with paisley, I can try to warm them but will have to try a modified way...paisley is terrified of leaving her room. I have no idea why but she's afraid of the rest of the house. So we will figure something out for her.
I'll let you know how these things go!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2016 14:26:47 GMT -5
You do have a busy household but it sounds like a fun one. Post as often as you like but if you can only post every two days that's okay also. As we move along the posting requirements lessen. Ferrets do imprint on their kibble. Usually around 7-9 months but for some it can come earlier. If Paisley is afraid of leaving her room then we don't want to frighten her. Perhaps you could bring some warm water in a bowl to her. The sit on the floor and dangle the slivers in the water while you hold her. Have a towel ready since she might decide it would be fun to tip over the bowl or snorkel in it. I wonder why she is afraid of the house. Have you tried carrying her around and letting her see everything? She might feel safer in your arms and if she sees some safe places then she might relax. dorena261-Natalia any tips on coaxing Cowboy to try the new food?
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Post by dorena261-Natalia on Feb 27, 2016 15:23:53 GMT -5
oh God, i wrote the whole post and my laptop shut down anyway.. i was very busy for the last few days bc my cousin came to my town for a spinal surgery and i am in the hospital with him for the last 4 days. i will be till thursday for sure, and i won't be able to check in regularly. i didn't know you have a 7 yo kid! you're awesome! i was wondering, is it possible that Maverick was the first who got the flu and his condition is not related with any heart issues? at least i hope so (fingers crossed) i'm glad they are better, hope that Paisley and Durango wil be better soon keeping journal is a great thing, am very (VERY!) forgetful and and putting everything on paper was very helpful to me. Cowboy is a stubborn one, but maybe he'll accept raw soon when he see others eating. a little competition between them make a miracle sometimes. you can try to crush those treats you have over the soup, it may help to get him interested. like Poncesmom said, it's just a matter of time but you will get him there
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2016 2:18:42 GMT -5
I'm not sure why she's afraid of the rest of the house. They aren't free roam and only have access to their room. I'd love for them to be free roam but we also have 5 cats and a very big clumsy golden retriever. Everyone else loves "field trips" to the rest of the house, but paisley gets really upset and starts shaking when I try to take her anywhere else in the house. Pasiley loves to snorkel, if there's water near by she's going to make a mess! Lol. I was able to get her to eat one sliver while dipping in warm water and kind of playing with it with her. After the one she wasn't interested in anymore. Hoss took a few licks off of a spoon today, when I tried lowering it into the bowl he looked up at me like, "what are you doing??", lol. We're getting there. Durango will still only eat a very little pit of soup and seems to prefer slivers, he ate 4 today. Maverick and Bandit are the same. Seem to love the soup and will eat a few slivers if I hand feed, they won't eat them out of the soup yet though. Cowboy is still as stubborn as ever. I managed to get him to take one lick from my finger today, it'd progress and I'll take it! dorena261-Natalia , I hope your cousin is doing well and that his surgery goes/went well, I will keep him in my thoughts. Thank you both for all of your advice! I feel as though we are slowly but surely making progress. Just need to keep at it! Now, I did a thing today...went into the pet store up the street looking for something and they had this little tiny baby...he was crying and when I held him he tried to suckle my fingers. He's 7 weeks old...and well, he broke my heart. So he came home with us! (Well, technically he's at my significant others house for his quarantine) I'm going to start him on soup immediately, I've read that when they're as young as him it's much easier. Is there anything different I do with him because he is so young? Or do I stick with the same soup recipe? Anyways, this is Granger
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Post by dorena261-Natalia on Feb 28, 2016 2:51:23 GMT -5
OH MY GOD!!!! you have a new baby addi(c)tion!!! i don't have much time since i have to go to hospital (and thank you for your wishes and thoughts <3). you can start to feed your baby raw, babies are easiest to switch. only one thing you have to be aware, babies need more bones (calcium) than adult ferrets. pour some more bone powder to his soup, although you can start to offer him small bones like chicken ribbs or chicken wings, adult quails... give him chunks of meat with bones right in them. they digest bones very well. raw bones will give him calcium and phosphorus , but he also need meals of raw heart for the development and function of his eyes. without this he can go blind. he is going to want to eat just about everything you give him! i think you can start with frankenprey right away. Granger is beautiful!!! I ENVY YOU! i will check in in the evening when i come back home...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2016 9:33:14 GMT -5
Granger is too precious. I am so glad you brought him home. I've seen them suckle each other's ears when they are very young. It's sad that they lose their mother so young. Now he will get off to a great healthy start. He's a Tummy with Teeth and will eat easily. The soupie is prefect for him while his little teeth are still growing in and tender. Like Dorena said, he needs a little more bonemeal powder. Breeders often give extra calcium until they are about 18 months old. Green tripe is a perfect blend of calcium and phosphorus and if you can find some of that smelly stuff then try offering it to him. It would be great for him and get him use to it early and you will be able to keep it in his menu. Hearts are full of Taurine and so important for him now. Taurine is water soluable so it flushes out of their system. (*test question). Tongue is good also. He must have that and so must your others but Granger in particular needs it to get off to a good start. You can begin giving him wingtips and small bones and I think you'll be surprised at how he can handle them. I'm going to tag Heather who is a breeder and ask her to give us some advice on Granger. A baby expert is just what we need now and I don't think she will mind my asking for a little expert opinion at this point. Cowboy did well. We'll take a finger lick, it's a start. Try several times during the day and maybe for the next day or two then try the finger and don't push him too hard at first. Hoss makes me laugh. He wants his Mommy and he wants the attention. What a big baby but that's okay. You'll have a special bond with him by giving him all that extra attention. Paisley is so sweet. I'm sorry she gets so frightened. Perhaps something really scares her. If she is that frightened then I wouldn't push her but I'd still try to hold her a bit and maybe just step over the doorframe and then back in again and comfort her. If she feels safe with you and you make just one little step and back "home" again, she might get use to it with time. Durango likes his slivers. He will move forward faster now so give him more slivers and less soup. Let Maverick and Bandit watch and try just slivers for a meal or two. If they prefer slivers to soup then we can move them forward faster then the others. Have you tried a plate of just heart slivers? Add the blood to the plate and see how they like that. dorena261-Natalia I'm sorry about your family member and hope all goes well. Take your time and when everything is better then we'll be here. Give everyone a big hug and give baby Granger a special hug for being so darn cute. He'll be happy and secure now. Just wait until everyone meets him. I'm curious to see how they accept him. If anyone is too rough then he may need some time to get a bit bigger but I know he'll find at least a few who are perfectly willing to mother him. He may also meep in the middle of the night and need comforting. What a gorgeous boy he is. :wave3:
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Post by Heather on Feb 28, 2016 16:45:52 GMT -5
You can try soupy but at 7 weeks he can eat just about anything your other guys are eating. Once you show him what meat is for (remember he's only had kibbles so far) he's going to eat you out of house and home....let him. What you have to think about is how fast a baby ferret grows. Take pics daily, try doing this with something that you can gauge his size by. It will change daily. The difference between a baby's diet and and adult's is usually just the amount of bone in meats they get. You normally look at 7 to 9 bone in meals per week....babies get 9 and then add some bone meal to their organ meal. Watch his stools if they're dry back of on the bone or the bone meal. The one thing to remember is he's going to need to eat and eat a lot ciao
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2016 16:47:56 GMT -5
You can try soupy but at 7 weeks he can eat just about anything your other guys are eating. Once you show him what meat is for (remember he's only had kibbles so far) he's going to eat you out of house and home....let him. What you have to think about is how fast a baby ferret grows. Take pics daily, try doing this with something that you can gauge his size by. It will change daily. The difference between a baby's diet and and adult's is usually just the amount of bone in meats they get. You normally look at 7 to 9 bone in meals per week....babies get 9 and then add some bone meal to their organ meal. Watch his stools if they're dry back of on the bone or the bone meal. The one thing to remember is he's going to need to eat and eat a lot ciao Thank you so much Heather! Heather is our Ferret Whisperer and a very good breeder. :thankyou:
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