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Post by katt on Aug 28, 2013 0:27:10 GMT -5
Sorry for my delayed replies. we are into our first week of real classes and we are still getting used to the new routine. :/ Those chunks sound good. Next batch double the size and let me know how he does. As for the diarrhea, that is unusual. Usually if meat is spoiled they will not eat it. That being said, it isn't impossible. How are you storing the meat? Are you freezing each batch of soup after you make it, or keeping it in the fridge? I kind of wonder if they don't have some GI upset from shedding. Shedding is stressful on their bodies, and they can be prone to get hairballs too. Will they all eat raw eggs? If so, give them some raw egg (whole egg) twice a week. As much as I hate to use pumpkin, if they get diarrhea again try adding a TINY bit (1/4 - 1/2 tsp per ferret) of pumpkin into their soup OR hand feed it as a "treat" for 2-3 days. IF you have to do this let me know, and let me know if it helps at all. Hairballs and shedding stress can cause weird poops. Two more important things... One is - you said you are teaching them tricks, remind me what treat you are using as a treat? Is it an oil (salmon or olive oil)? If so, how much are you giving? Too much oil can cause loose poops and even diarrhea. The next important thing. We are * almost* ready to move to the next step. I want to see Dax eating bigger chunks (let me know if he will take double sized ones as I mentioned above). As soon as he is eating the bigger chunks (not sooner! No rushing Mistress Speedy McGee hehe), I would like to begin adding in new proteins one at a time. With that in mind, when you get a chance you should pick up some pork if you don't have any on hand. Pork chops work well, or pork chuck roast. AFTER we know Dax is eating the slightly bigger chunks, (again, ONE change at a time, don't do this before he is eating the bigger chunks)I want you to add some pork chunks into the soup. Start with just a few bits, maybe 1/4-1/3 of the muscle chunks pork, the rest chicken as usual. We'll see how he takes it and go from there. Again - NO RUSHING! How have their poops been since your last post? (PS If I don't reply right away never hesitate to post another update, or even a "bump." Like I said, I am still reorienting to my new crazy schedule. Once things settle into more of a routine it will be easier). Just to be safe with the loose poops I would like to get another weigh in as soon as you have a chance. Pics too pretty please.
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Post by katt on Aug 28, 2013 0:35:33 GMT -5
Oh and 2 more questions - do the loose poops smell particularly bad? Are you able to get some Colloidal Silver? (Check the natural foods or supplements section of the store, or if you have a vitamin or natural foods store, etc). If their poops continue to be slimy we might try a little CS and see if that helps calm things down a bit.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2013 10:04:50 GMT -5
Hey that's totally ok I start classes in September ill be right there with yea soon lol
They still have the runs ): I was using ferretone (I know bad saleena lol) but they absolutely love it so I figured training with it would be ok, I've stopped since the runs just using loves and praises and the clicker. They STINK! Awfull smelly runny poo I have to change there 3 boxes 2x a day my house is reakin, I gave them egg with there dinner yesterday night and Dax was doing this weird gag thing and then his tongue would hangout I felt around his belly and checked his poo for any not edibles found nothing so gave him a bit of petroleum jelly to move anything threw he isn't acting any different though.
I freeze and take out there daily bags the night before, I haven't changed the recipe any besides chunks so ill make em a bit bigger starting Thursday and let you know how he does (:
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2013 10:06:58 GMT -5
Also I look for cs on thurs when I'm out buying meat, and when I get home ill do pics and weights with a pic of the litter box and the soup chunks, just reply when you can and i promise ill stay slow and steady lol (:
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Post by katt on Aug 28, 2013 10:30:41 GMT -5
Well I hate to say it but it sounds like vet time. The fact that they still have the runs combined with the odor indicates that they have some kind of bug. Probably a bacterial overload. Could be the result of successive stress (diet change followed by mommy being stressed followed by a new cage mate followed by starting to shed their coats). It could even be something Bubby brought home with him, esp considering it seems to have started when he came home (remember the weird poops they were having that we thought might be stress related?). As long as the meat is good when you buy it, and you keep it frozen until its time for them to eat it, and they get fresh soup 2-3 times a day, there shouldn't be any issue that is food related. I was considering the possibility of a chicken sneisitivity when it was just Dax, but it is VERY unlikely for all 4 of them to be sensitive. I think they all need a round of antibiotics, it definitely sounds like they have passed a bug around. I know many vets will not give meds without seeing each animal (so even if both of my boys have the same things, I have to have 2 exams if I want meds for both of them) but some will offer a group discount if you are bringing in multiple animals at once. They may want to run a fecal test too so bring in a fresh poop sample when you go.
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Post by katt on Aug 28, 2013 11:09:04 GMT -5
I just wanted to add an extra note in case you haven't faced this yet. I don't want you to get scared or stressed too much if it comes up. Many, I would venture to say MOST vets are very anti-raw. I won't get too into it now bc I have to leave for class but it has to do with conflicts of interest. Kibble companies (Hills/Science Diet to be precise) COMPLETELY Funds AND teaches nutrition courses at vet schools. They are very closely tied in with the AVMA, which released a public anti-raw statement. You just have to stand strong and know that raw IS best for them. It IS safe, healthy, and the diet they are designed to eat. I don't know if you have run into this with your vet yet, or if you will at all, but I have seen newbies get nervous when their anti-raw vets try to push s**tty kibble diets on them. I just want to make sure you are prepared if that does happen.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2013 16:42:51 GMT -5
Oh no my poor babies ): the vet I went to was ok with it but they stopped excepting pet assure, I can't find any vets for ferrets that do there's a ferret specific vet in Scarborough but she doesn't take it ill have to suffice with a quick vet until I can afford ferret insurance, I don't even have health insurance right now :/
Ill call around and message you ASAP ill keep checking all poo and monitor energy and attitudes they've Been eating steady and pooing steady, just can't kick these runs! I hope they don't have belly aches I wish they had ferret pepto haha
Ill be on frequently tomorrow, so don't stress about getting on here to much schools number one we need some legit doctors up in here!! Lol ill keep the boys hydrated and as comfortable as I can and hopefully find a vet fingers crossed or were gonna have to travel maybe yurei Avalon knows of some vets in NH ill ask thank you for everything btw, I'd be at quite a loss without your help me and the boys thank you !!! Good luck with classes and have a good night (:
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Post by katt on Aug 28, 2013 18:38:13 GMT -5
The only pet insurance that covers ferrets other than Pet Assure (which is technically a discount card, not insurance) is VPI, and even their coverage is pretty limited. Definitely send Yurei a PM, she might know some good vets. Keep a close tab on their weights. Can you get another poop pic? There is a difference between "the runs" and soft stools. That is good they are continuing to eat, it will help keep them hydrated. And I feel you on the health insurance part, I don't have any atm either. Soon though they are going to start penalizing people for not having it so I have to find some...
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Post by katt on Aug 28, 2013 18:40:10 GMT -5
Where in NH are you? Here is a list of NH cities via Pet Assure. Click on the cities close to you and it will list vets in that city that take Pet Assure. www.petassure.com/veterinarians-in-nh
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Post by katt on Aug 28, 2013 19:05:29 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2013 20:00:40 GMT -5
We got a solid poo! Novak is back to solid (:
Ill let you know if I catch any body else but that made me happy lol and as I'm typing this I'm watching Dax eat big chunks the fingernail size ones with grace and ease, yayyy !
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2013 20:03:28 GMT -5
A lot of the Maine ones say they are and when I call have no idea or don't do it anymore it hasn't picked up round here yet :/ ill try NH tomorrow it's basically 2 towns over so no biggie ill try the acton one, but berwick was were we went for Dax and I was the first and last pet assure customer lol
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Post by katt on Aug 28, 2013 21:47:47 GMT -5
We got a solid poo! Novak is back to solid (: Ill let you know if I catch any body else but that made me happy lol and as I'm typing this I'm watching Dax eat big chunks the fingernail size ones with grace and ease, yayyy ! Yay that is good news! And GO Dax! It is definitely time to increase the chunk size as soon as you are able to. When you do that also add MORE chunks, and a bit less soup. Is he eating chunks of meat, heart, and liver or just meat? If all of the above that is fantastic and he is making incredible progress (all of them are). If just meat that is fine, we will just need to adjust the soup recipe a bit to keep the balance in line. I'll tell you what to do once I know what he is eating. That is unfortunate about the vets. Try to catch each of them pooping if you can. If you can get a picture while you are at it all the better. In the meanwhile, next time you go shopping look for the CS, it has some antibacterial properties and MAY help them kick this little bug if it IS bacterial. Don't forget to pick up some pork meat soon too and have it ready in the freezer for the next step that is coming up. You and your boys are doing great Saleena, keep it up!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2013 14:04:02 GMT -5
Thank you! We wouldn't be we're we are without you (:
So I saw Marcellus poo this am and it was literally poo colored water ): I think it may be the ferret vite Aric gave them some last night while they were playing and the runs came back so I'm cutting it out completely and seeing if that may be the issue.
The soup we made this morning is a lot of chunks, Aric gave Dax a heart to see what he'd do and he LOVED it he fought the crap out of bubby trying to keep it all to himself lol so we made it extra chunky and they dove right in my little carnivores lol I'm excited how much they've progressed ill check in tonight an see what's left and I couldn't get pork Thursday it was such a hectic day I had orientation for college a doc appointment and Aric had a apprenticeship from 11-2 I forgot all about the pork and sc but Sunday is my day off so ill be going out then I can't wait to see how they like pork! I also need to take a few pics but I can do that tonight (:
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Post by katt on Aug 31, 2013 14:48:08 GMT -5
That is not good. Any luck on the vet? I would give them all a round of pumpkin. About a teaspoon each. How is Marcellus doing? Have you been able to get any poop pictures? Weights? Also the colloidal silver has some antibiotic properties, if you can get that it may help. It is not a replacement for vet care however. How are they all behaving? Is Marcellus eating? Pooping?
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