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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2014 12:05:40 GMT -5
I did buy a small bag of Nature's Variety kibble since I don't know what Shepherd has been on in the past. However, he just will not eat it. So I'll probably be donating it later.
Actually he isn't wanting to eat anything at this point. His whole world is turmoil right now, being abandoned last week, then in a strange place, then being taken from his friend and brought to another strange place. So I've been force-feeding him soup to keep him hydrated.
I just used Nature's Variety raw bites and water to make his soup, figure that's the easiest possible soup to make. LOL He's drinking it on his own now. Making the "Blech, yucky!" face, but drinking it. He currently weighs right at two pounds and is very slim.
Something tells me he's going to be my toughest switch yet. Both my girls were easy, River because she was a baby, Kaylee because she loves chewy things. Shepherd is still sort of an unknown thing.
The girls had mice for breakfast, and he was very curious about those, though. So hopefully, seeing the girls eat will convince him to eat some tasty meats too.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2014 12:08:21 GMT -5
Poor baby, I'm glad he has a good home with you!
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Post by Heather on May 21, 2014 15:40:58 GMT -5
Poor wee mite. People really don't think about the damage they cause when they dump these wee ones. It can be so heartbreaking. This is one of the reasons why I do a raw switch (using soupy) the instant they walk through the door. Usually, I've not been told or given food that they were accustomed to eating so rather than try and feed them something new and upsetting their stomach, feeding something new and have it rejected and upsetting their stomachs, I just switch them and do all that in one move  Keep working with the soupy. Once he gets over his rejection and finds that soupy and raw meats is all that is provided in this new home he will settle in and accept it all as a necessary change Good luck and keep pushing you will win in the end ciao |
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2014 16:04:21 GMT -5
My girls showed him their feeding den during playtime. (formerly a ball pit LOL) They'd stashed a couple partially eaten mice from breakfast in there, and I know he at least sampled those. He came back out doing that crazy face wipe on everything they do after eating something messy. He's eaten a couple teaspoon of soup so far, so progress!  |
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2014 0:17:45 GMT -5
Aaaand tonight he's like, nope, I need to be fed. So I got out a syringe and he drank his soupies that way.
Then the girls were like, whatever that is, we want it more than our CGH wings.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2014 13:09:57 GMT -5
That's funny. It's so cute that the girls were showing him the ropes! Sounds like they'll be a big help in the switch (giggle)
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2014 12:12:48 GMT -5
We've had a few setbacks. Shepherd stopped eating completely during the two days he was separated from Inara (who suffered no such drama), and has lost four ounces. I've had to resort to force feeding him soup, which at this point I'm supplementing with some kitten milk replacer just until he's at least lapping off a spoon again. His energy is very low, but since Inara's arrived, he's at least looking around and trying to explore a little. He needs her far more than she needs him. I've also added some olive oil to the soup to increase the fat a little.
I have them in my travel cage, since Inara is currently eating kibbles (Nature's Variety) and Shepherd is needing to be hand-fed soup. I'm leaving the soup available to him since today I go back to work, been on vacation these past two weeks. He'll be hand-fed before work and as soon as I get home until I can see he's eating on his own.
He did take about 3/4 of and ounce this morning, without being force fed! He actually voluntarily drank out of the syringe, and came looking for me, so hopefully we're making progress. On Monday I'll be making them an appointment with my vet, probably won't be able to get them in until Friday at the earliest.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2014 12:25:20 GMT -5
Good to see an update. Poor Shephard... how lucky for him that you were able to go back and get her. I really hope that helps his appetite and activity pick up again.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2014 22:29:23 GMT -5
HE'S EATING!!! He's eating freeze-dried Nature's Variety right now, (same as the frozen, but dried and sold as treats) like there is no tomorrow. The frozen variety is what I've been making soup out of to force feed him...guess he's learned to like the taste of it. After he lost 4 ounces in three days, I was willing to offer almost anything to get him eating again. Honestly, when he reached for the big of FDR in my hand and started to eat it, I almost cried from relief...I've been very worried about him!
I'm sort of suspecting he may have insulinoma, which may be why they were dumped.
Getting him and Inara onto raw will be more challenging that either of my other girls, for sure. Inara wants kibble...I'm thinking, get her interested in the FDR, which, when dry, is more like kibble, then frozen and soupie since she will eat under her own power. She may have to gt hungry first, but unlike Shepherd, she seems to be healthy and won't start wasting away after a day. I'm never separating these two again as long as they are both alive.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2014 11:41:11 GMT -5
Super happy to report that as of this morning, Shepherd is still eating up the freeze dried raw with water poured on it. Inara apparently has, but not as eagerly. (of course she didn't go three days without eating at all) Next step, getting them to eat the frozen version. Then I'll work toward frankenprey as Shepherd gets stronger and gains some weight.
He's looking more alert and seeking out attention, and has stopped losing weight, currently 1 pounds 13 ounces. (or 822 grams according to the calculator I found)
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2014 15:57:31 GMT -5
Oh, Thank you for bringing Inara home, (dance) and reuniting Shepard with his Inara. Their story was sad, and I'm awfully happy to know that they had their happily ever after.  |
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Post by Sherry on May 25, 2014 18:09:30 GMT -5
Definitely have bg's etc checked but it is sounding as though he was grieving his companion. I am so glad you relented and reunited them. Separating bonded pairs is so very risky and it isn't uncommon for at least one to grieve themselves to death  |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2014 21:52:39 GMT -5
Part of the reason I'm suspecting insulinoma is the way he kept gagging and retching, all the while digging at his face like he had something stuck in his teeth, every time food touched his lips. (hence, the force feeding...he wasn't willing to eat and then throw up)
I'm going to have the vet check his BG for sure, and while we're there, find out about preventative implants for adrenal for everyone. Granted, I can't even get in until Friday at the earliest. Our vet is ridiculously busy.
Shepherd has gained back three ounces now. He's still skinny (he was to begin with) but at least now his bones aren't jutting as far. When you only weigh two pounds to begin with, four ounces is a lot. More importantly, he's starting to act like a ferret again and not be wobbly when he walks.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 13:00:23 GMT -5
Shepherd is eating whole chicken liver today! He's also chewing on gizzards. Kaylee is showing him how...she's my best eater, really. We'll have to work up to bone, but liver is a start!
I haven't seen Inara eating, but I know she is, she's not losing weight and she's pooping normally, with lots of energy. Switching more than one at a time is definitely harder than working on a solo ferret, knowing who at what when some won't eat if I'm looking. At my house - white ferrets, eat when I'm watching, brown ferrets, only eat if I can't see them!
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2014 12:52:27 GMT -5
I'm going to say that both Shepherd and Inara at liver and gizzards yesterday. I'm not 100% SURE on Inara as she won't eat when I'm looking, but she's eating something as she's not losing weight ans she's bouncing around like a little maniac. I'm offering commercial raw since I KNOW they both eat it, but it appears at this point, fresh food is winning out.
Shepherd was eating Cornish Game Hen breast this morning. Not much, just a few bites of meat only, but he was clearly enjoying it. I suspect that CGH wings will be a hit. (I'm out of wings right now LOL) After he finished he came to me for a cuddle. Having been syringe feeding him for a while got him to where eating = cuddle time! Such a sweet boy. He does want me all to himself for his cuddles, no girls allowed. (the girls believe the more the merrier and just pile on me for their cuddles) He's looking SO much better already, fur is already getting softer after just a week of raw food, and he's gained back all the weight he lost + another ounce. His hip bones aren't poking out now. In a few months he's going to be my dramatic ferret on the before and after thread.
I'm taking him in Friday afternoon to get looked over and have his blood glucose checked out. Does he need to fast before a BG check or no?
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