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Post by bitbyter on Jan 17, 2014 15:33:19 GMT -5
You've been pretty solid through this whole process so congrats to you and your fuzzies. I'm going to start quizzing you on some stuff and then I'll submit this thread for Sherry or Heather to graduate you.
Question 1: You notice that one of your ferrets has started eating in private or avoiding food at the normal meal times. They are also dropping weight slowly. What should you start looking for?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2014 12:03:32 GMT -5
Thank you! You have been very helpful, I could not have done it without you!
Answer: Aggression/ territorial behaviors from another one of my ferrets, causing her to sneak food when she can.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2014 14:09:25 GMT -5
Also, do you need an update today
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Post by bitbyter on Jan 20, 2014 10:17:37 GMT -5
That is one possibility but the change in eating behaviour as well as the drop in weight would be concerning. Anytime a change in behaviour involves hiding, I'd start looking for other symptoms. Ferrets are predators and often feel vulnerable when they are sick so they tend to hide. I'd look for vomit, check poops and make sure he / she is actually eating as much as they were. If no other obvious signs of illness appear, I would monitor and if behaviour doesn't return to normal after a few days, take them in for a checkup.
Ok, Question # 2: Your normal source of hearts dries up and despite trying, you have been unable to find any for two weeks. What would you use instead and / or where would you locate more?
and no I don't need any more updates at this point. Just answer the questions and once we are done those I'll get you to post your weekly menu and submit you for graduation!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2014 14:24:30 GMT -5
I totally blew that one! Eek! Longer answers, check. I just figured the vet visit was a given after too much weight loss.
And.... Wouldn't I just use more dark meats for the taurine? And I would really just drive a ridiculous distance to source them until I found some available and also try other heart meats (pork/beef/lamb/rabbit...). I would also definitely do some online raw order if it looked safe for my furries.
Better answer this time? :/
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Post by bitbyter on Jan 21, 2014 10:23:20 GMT -5
Good answer. I meant if you couldn't find ANY heart (not just the type they are used to). Yes dark meat is higher in taurine. The more the muscle works the more taurine is in it. Tongue is really high in taurine as is fish. Ordering online is always an option as well.
Next Question: You think you have noticed that one of your ferrets has started avoiding bone. What could be some possible causes?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 17:57:13 GMT -5
Gotcha... I figured I would cover all my bases. Did not know that about the fish or the tongue. I wrote that down in my little ferret notes! (Hopefully i'll never need to use it... i don't think my girls will fancy eating fish.) Umm, one possible cause could be dental issues... teeth, gums, or even maybe their jaw hurts? Another cause could be...GI tract issues? (this one is a total guess... i really can only think of mouth issues/pains being the reason they would avoid bone... or they are being lazy. ) random issue with miss Ziva... she wasn't acting herself and seemed to have a sore tummy so i took her into the vet and he put her on amoxi. for 10 days for a possible bacterial thing... but her poop check came back negative for anything. any opinions? we did pumpkin and vaseline prior and she isn't blocked (just annoyed)... she eating fine, sleeping slightly more, playing relatively normal... she just wasn't using her litterbox AT ALL... not even in her cage! So just thought id ask. She just started the amoxi. today. sigh.
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Post by bitbyter on Jan 23, 2014 14:53:53 GMT -5
Yep, good answers. Avoiding bone is usually either dental related or being lazy and trying to hold out for something better . Ziva - so pooping outside of the box? Has anything changed in their environment? Have you been stressed at all. Sometimes the smallest thing can set them off. What did the poops look like? Normal or bad?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2014 5:26:18 GMT -5
Awesome! Poops were normal poops... And I know I have been stressed but I really try to not let it show to them, ( i know they can still feel it but... I'm trying ) I mean we are still doing the same routines for the most part, we introduced foraging times to hinder chewing... Still playing and everything.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2014 5:27:13 GMT -5
And my hours changed at work, but it allows the girls even more time out.
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Post by bitbyter on Jan 25, 2014 13:54:55 GMT -5
She is probably just acting out then (protesting the changes) or reacting to the changes. Keep an eye on her for other symptoms though.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2014 5:25:49 GMT -5
Okay, And after these few days on the amoxicillin she actually has perked up times a million. Doing very well. She she really may have had something random going on... Not just the stress. My other little gals are doing fine, sassy as always.
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Post by bitbyter on Jan 29, 2014 12:48:57 GMT -5
Last question...
You see one of your fuzzies pawing at their mouth, what are some possible causes?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2014 18:38:07 GMT -5
sweet!
well...
1. they could have food stuck up in there; check for obstructions! 2. nausea 3. nausea due to blockage? 4. insulnoma; drop in blood sugar levels.
would you like more detail?
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Post by bitbyter on Jan 31, 2014 22:19:45 GMT -5
Nope, good answers. Nausea and need to determine what is causing the nausea (if it isn't something in their mouth such as stuck food, a bad tooth or an abscess). Do YOU have any questions for me before I get you to post your weekly menu and we graduate you?
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