Post by Heather on Feb 5, 2016 0:53:47 GMT -5
Name: Mariana
HF Forum Username: mariana
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: Yes
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Facebook and google
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
Full raw diet, not sure yet if I'll be able to handle whole prey (maybe in the future)
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
To prevent deceases such as insulinoma
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
Yes!
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
Currently only one (will be adopting one more in about a week)
Rino, male.He is about 4 to 4.5 years old (got him in July 2014, previous owner said he was 2.5 at the time)
He is not overweight, his weight last year was between 750 and 850 g depending on the season, he is currently about 960 due to winter.
I've had him for 1 year and 3 months now.
Rino has been diagnosed with Adrenal decease, he is currently receiving Lupron injections (he is still itching) and we are waiting for the implant to arrive.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
He is currently eating raw soup with small chunks added, in the am and pm (has not had kibble for a few days now and does not seem interested). (he is on day 8)
I give him freeze dried chicken and turkey breast (cat treats) and used to give him freeze dried beef liver (was not aware it should not be given often)
Gave him some FerretVite (liquid) about a month ago as he had a partial blockage and stopped eating, at the time I also gave him Furo Vite when trying to give him his meeds (still have both available but don't use them anymore).
I also give him one egg a week.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I wasn't well informed and as committed, I would give him small chunks but never really tried a transition.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I love animals and I am totally in love with Rino. I work in the IT industry and some times have to travel for a few days but Rino loves my roomate too and does not seem to have a problem staying with him.
When I got Rino, he came with a mate (female) she had cancer and I did not know any better (previous owner did not mention it either) and she passed about 2 months later (very advanced adrenal and some other type of aggressive cancer - I did take her to the vet, got the adrenal test done and some lumps removed for biopsy, that's how we found out she had cancer). I did not see him grieve (except for one time when he made a whining sound when he smelled a blanket where she used to sleep) and her passing helped us bond more (he used to bite and not want to be held), now I am ready to get another mate for him as I really want him to have someone to play with.
He had a partial blockage about a month ago and it took about a week for the entire thing to come out, including barium twice. After that, he had a cough and xrays showing speckles in his lung so we treated with oral antibiotic which upset his stomach really badly and he was getting depressed/stressed due to bad taste of the med, we switched it to a single dose shot and tested his poop for blood (negative). The cough stopped, and all additional blood work came back fine, the entire thing lasted about 4 weeks... right after that, his activity level has been very low, he sleeps a lot but eats really well and drinks well to, so I think it is just winter, or he may be upset/bored that I took away his push toys (he was chewing and eating them) and 2 of his hiding spots as they were not safe.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Daily
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
(not letting me post it here... will add in next post)
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
I do meet all requirements mentioned.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor ( Celene ), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun (dance) . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
HF Forum Username: mariana
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: Yes
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Facebook and google
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
Full raw diet, not sure yet if I'll be able to handle whole prey (maybe in the future)
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
To prevent deceases such as insulinoma
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
Yes!
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
Currently only one (will be adopting one more in about a week)
Rino, male.He is about 4 to 4.5 years old (got him in July 2014, previous owner said he was 2.5 at the time)
He is not overweight, his weight last year was between 750 and 850 g depending on the season, he is currently about 960 due to winter.
I've had him for 1 year and 3 months now.
Rino has been diagnosed with Adrenal decease, he is currently receiving Lupron injections (he is still itching) and we are waiting for the implant to arrive.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
He is currently eating raw soup with small chunks added, in the am and pm (has not had kibble for a few days now and does not seem interested). (he is on day 8)
I give him freeze dried chicken and turkey breast (cat treats) and used to give him freeze dried beef liver (was not aware it should not be given often)
Gave him some FerretVite (liquid) about a month ago as he had a partial blockage and stopped eating, at the time I also gave him Furo Vite when trying to give him his meeds (still have both available but don't use them anymore).
I also give him one egg a week.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I wasn't well informed and as committed, I would give him small chunks but never really tried a transition.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I love animals and I am totally in love with Rino. I work in the IT industry and some times have to travel for a few days but Rino loves my roomate too and does not seem to have a problem staying with him.
When I got Rino, he came with a mate (female) she had cancer and I did not know any better (previous owner did not mention it either) and she passed about 2 months later (very advanced adrenal and some other type of aggressive cancer - I did take her to the vet, got the adrenal test done and some lumps removed for biopsy, that's how we found out she had cancer). I did not see him grieve (except for one time when he made a whining sound when he smelled a blanket where she used to sleep) and her passing helped us bond more (he used to bite and not want to be held), now I am ready to get another mate for him as I really want him to have someone to play with.
He had a partial blockage about a month ago and it took about a week for the entire thing to come out, including barium twice. After that, he had a cough and xrays showing speckles in his lung so we treated with oral antibiotic which upset his stomach really badly and he was getting depressed/stressed due to bad taste of the med, we switched it to a single dose shot and tested his poop for blood (negative). The cough stopped, and all additional blood work came back fine, the entire thing lasted about 4 weeks... right after that, his activity level has been very low, he sleeps a lot but eats really well and drinks well to, so I think it is just winter, or he may be upset/bored that I took away his push toys (he was chewing and eating them) and 2 of his hiding spots as they were not safe.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Daily
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
(not letting me post it here... will add in next post)
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
I do meet all requirements mentioned.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor ( Celene ), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun (dance) . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao