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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2012 0:51:27 GMT -5
OK, so I don't know if I should be worried at this point, but here is the situation - Bandit has been strictly on raw soupie for 12 days now, averaging about 6oz a day. He has gained nearly 1 full pound in the past couple of weeks. He doesn't touch the kibble anymore even though it is left out for his brothers (for now), and he eats like a champ. Granted, he doesn't drink much water, but this isn't atypical for him. Now, today has been no different. He has had about 5oz today, he has played which doesn't happen often, and he *seems* fine, though he is a sickie. However, his poos over the past week have been rather small, squishy, kinda reddish (he has eaten rabbit with pork organs so what goes in and comes out is kinda whitish with a red tinge, I assume from the organ blood), and few in number (like max of 3 times a day). I understand that with raw they poop less, but I wasn't expecting the reddish color or the fact that they are never well-formed. ANYWAYS, getting off-topic - today Bandit's poos have been even smaller so I gave him 1tbsp of pumpkin. It took 4 poos but it all came out. The first and last poo were small in diameter and length, the second and third were well formed and a good size. SO, I thought everything was OK and was just writing off the previous poos to the raw switch. HOWEVER, since he pooed out the pumpkin, he has been frequently trying to go potty and every time only a small pencil eraser size poo/slime ball comes out. A few times only a small string of clear mucous came out. Is this something that is normal and to be expected with a raw switch??? Or does Bandit have something else wrong with him??? Since the pumpkin came out well I assumed we weren't dealing with a blockage, but can this still be a possibility? He has been trying to go poopie for about 4 hours now and hasn't really put out much, but he doesn't appear to be straining and he doesn't sit there for long. Any ideas???
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2012 1:31:03 GMT -5
Quick Update - So I gave Bandit a little vaseline about 20 min ago and he just tried pottying again and a bit more came out this time, maybe the size of a quarter but seedy and bubbly. I didn't think vaseline would work so fast, if that is what happened at all. But again, 5 min later he tried to go AGAIN and this time was another small pencil eraser size with mostly mucous and some seedy stuff. Luckily, I think he is peeing, as I'm having to watch this most of all right now due to his bladder stones. I just don't know what to make of this. If I had to guess, I'd say he's tried to potty about once every 15min for the past 4 hours. Is this normal during a raw switch???
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2012 1:40:28 GMT -5
Again, he just tried to go and only produced a string of clear mucous. As stated before, he doesn't appear to be straining or to be in any pain. He just drank 'cup water', his favorite. And he's walking around looking at things. He seems fine, but I've just never seen this kind of excessive pottying before and don't know what to make of it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2012 1:50:00 GMT -5
OK, again with about a nickel sized amount of bubbly seedy stuff. I am really beginning to think this isn't a blockage issue as he keeps putting SOMETHING out, but instead is there maybe some sort of intestinal issue? The only change with anything here is the fact that Bandit has been on raw for 12 days. I don't think he's straining to urinate. Does this sound like any raw side effects or any intestinal problem to anyone??? (Sorry, but it's really late and Momma hasn't gotten much sleep recently, and I've gotta be up early for work so I'd like to know what I'm in for and if I need to sleep beside the cage yet again.
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Post by Heather on Sept 21, 2012 2:58:21 GMT -5
Sounds like he pooped out the vaseline. Keep an eye on him but he may be absorbing a lot of what he's eating. He appears to be eating well. The seedy stuff is often undigested fats not uncommon in a newly switched ferret. If he's acting fine and you don't suspect a blockage, just feed him and keep an eye on him. If he eats well then it's not a blockage. Wee ones with blockage issues refuse to eat.
Good luck, keep us posted
ciao
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Post by Sherry on Sept 21, 2012 9:04:06 GMT -5
Are you putting enough eggshell in the soup for him? Sometimes if they aren't getting enough calcium they feel they have to go more often as there isn't enough bulk to "push" against. It should be approx. 1/2 tsp per 8oz of meat, liver, heart.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2012 9:17:00 GMT -5
A probiotic could help reestablish his intestinal flora as well. Some have quicker resolution using digestive enzymes with feeding also.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2012 11:37:27 GMT -5
Thanks all!! Heather - Yeah, he does eat well. Typically 6oz a day, though some days he's eaten as much as 8-9oz! But after 13 days he's starting to level out to 5-6oz a day. He did finally eat for me this morning (about 1.5oz) so that is good. @sherry - I have been using Bonemeal instead of eggshells (don't really eat eggs at my house so shells aren't readily available). And I have been putting the 1/2tsp per 8oz as recommeded for the soupie. I'm a little worried about adding anymore though as I don't want anymore calcium in his system than is necessary due to his bladder stone issue. Is there anything else we can do to help him emply his intestines more easily? @suzie - I am thinking about adding probiotics now, but I figure we'll have to wait until after the 3 days of metacam the vet gave us, will we??? What brand and type of probiotics are best for ferrets??? |
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Post by Sherry on Sept 21, 2012 12:48:16 GMT -5
Ah, got it! In that case you may need to add regular pumpkin for now if you aren't already. I usually give 1/2 tsp a day of that anyway. If you already are, increase it a bit for him. Maybe 1/2 tsp morning and evening.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2012 13:19:42 GMT -5
Yeah, I've been thinkin that. I add the 1tbsp pumpkin to the soupie, but I think I'll just leave it out and spoon feed it (sometimes the only way Pogo and Mischief will take the soupie is if I've put a tiny bit of pumpkin on top anyways). So 1 full teaspoon is OK for a ferret for a DAILY feeding??? Sorry, just want to make sure I'm getting this right.
Thank you!!
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Post by Sherry on Sept 21, 2012 14:38:38 GMT -5
Granted, Boris had IBD. But he got about a tablespoon a day mixed in with his meals. He needed that amount to help control his severe diarrhea.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 21, 2012 14:39:30 GMT -5
That's the advantage of raw feeding, or even simply making your own pet food. You can tweak it to whatever is going to help  |
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