Mellazarus' Switching Thread / Mjbez

[Heather]

1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?From this site. My daughter told me about this site.

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. I don't think I can feed whole prey at this time. I see myself feeding them frozen commercial diets, chunks of meat(per Frankenprey), the occasional chicken wing and other meats. Not sure what a partial natural diet is?

3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet? My daughter's had ferrets for some time now, and I hate that we lose them so quickly, and to such terrible diseases. 6 years ago I bought Sophie for myself and last year we adopted Annie after losing Lily to lymphoma. If feeding them appropriate food will extend the time I have these guys and improve their health, then I want to do it.

4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment? I am. I have the time for this and want to do what is the best for them.

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? Sophie is 6 1/2, female and has an enlarged(vet said huge) spleen. She has, if I think about it, been slowing down for some time, but always was more of a stay by your side kind of ferret. The spleen is scheduled to come out Tues. 5/13. Annie seems fine. Sophie's weight on 5/8/14 was 1.9 lbs; she has lost a small amount of weight(used to be ~ 2.1 lbs) I haven't had Annie weighed recently, but she is lighter.

6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup? They currently have Marshal ferret diet, Purina Pro Plan on hand always. And they steal the cats' Purina One kibble on occasion. I am trying to get at least Sophie to eat Arigen cat and kitten, but so far no dice. For treats Annie eats freeze dried turkey or chicken and a splash of EVOO when she goes back in her cage. Sophie gets EVOO and a cat treat when she goes back in her cage. She also (please don't yell at me, gets ~ 1/8 tsp of light cream in the morning.) I think I can substitute some egg yolk in the future; she will eat this now if I put some Duck Soup in with it. Annie eats soup with ~1/4 inch chucks of meat 1-2x/day now.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened? No

8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share? Just Sophie's upcoming surgery

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).I will do this soon, already have posted two, but not the ones showing body image

11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc? Just need a scale.


Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave) . In a little while your mentor (Mjbez) 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 . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao

[mjbez]

Hi Mellazarus!
Here is a little about me:
Name: Mandelle

HFF Screen Name: mjbez


Location: Saskatchewan, Canada

About Me: I am 25 years old. I completed my Bachelor of Education in 2010 and am a grade 7/8 teacher.

My favorite color is..... Turquoise
My favorite food is.... Ice cream!
My favorite holiday is... Although it isn't technically a "holiday" I would say the summer. As a teacher this is my 2 months off
My favorite hobby is... too many things to list! My ferrets are my number one hobby, but I also like to read, watch T.V., go for walks, talk, etc.
I like to listen to... almost anything
I collect... Well, I would be tempted to say ferrets! I don't tend to collect any objects.
Something about me you might be surprised to know... Hmm...I don't think there is too much surprising about me!

I became a mentor because... I believe in providing the best for the animals we care for. I switched 3 of my ferrets with the help of the holistic ferret forum mentors and 2 on my own. I have always been the kind of person that likes to help and teach others (that was a big part of my becoming a teacher). Now that I have gained a lot of information and knowledge I would like to pay it forward and help someone in their switch!

About My Ferrets:

Kyra- Kyra was my first ferret and is absolutely my heart ferret. She is currently almost 6 years old. She has been switched to raw since June 2012. Kyra was a hyper young ferret but now is content to follow me around - she is definitely a momma's girl!
Mika - Mika was my second ferret. Mika is currently 5 years old. She came to me as a severe biter. She was switched at the same time as Kyra. Once she started on raw I saw a decrease in any nipping. Mika is being treated for adrenal.
Bear - Bear was ferret number 3 and was my first male ferret. He is currently 4 years old. He is the sweetest boy and has WS. He was switched at the same time as Kyra and Mika. He was my easiest of the three. Bear is adrenal as well and is being treated.
Zeke - Zeke is my crazy lunatic ferret! He is constantly into something and has tonnes of energy. He is almost 1 year old. I switched him the day I brought him home. He took to raw immediately with zero issues.
Miya- Miya came to me from a couple that was no longer able to take care of her. She is a sweet girl that loves getting lots of attention. She is almost 1 year old. I started her switch as soon as she came into my care. She took about 2 months to fully switch.


About My Natural Feeding Experience:
Kyra, Mika and Bear have been raw fed since 2012. It took a few months to get them eating raw but thanks to the mentors on this forum learned so much and my switch was successful. I currently feed a frankenprey diet with three meals of commercial raw.
Type of mentor: I am a mentor in training so I am open to different types of switches. However, currently I would prefer full switches of frankenprey - RMB, commercial raw, etc

Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/176/meet-mentor?page=1&scrollTo=195867#ixzz2rZ1GnE7s

[mjbez]

I'm really looking forward to helping out! Let's start with an update on how your switch is going. I understand you have Annie eating some soupie, which is great! How about Sophie now? How is she recovering from her surgery?
Here is what I would like:
A) A current picture of each ferret (top view)
B) Since you have started the switch with Annie and maybe now Sophie? - I would like the following information for each ferret:
1. Ferret's weight (in brackets put weight gain or loss since beginning)
2. Amount eaten
3. Stools
4. Activity levels
5. Weekly menu

About once a week I would like you to update me on the above 1-5.

[mjbez]

Poke

[Deleted]

Hello! I had no idea I had been assigned a mentor. So glad to be working with you. Both ferrets are eating soup at this point; Sophie's is a little more watery, both will eat small pieces of meat occasionally. Neither eat consistently; Annie eats a little then runs off and seems to forget there's food; Sophie will eat off my finger if I hold her, but since I am still concerned about her weight I basically spoon feed it to her.

Currently Sophie weighs 1lb12oz(loss of 2 oz over past month but last months' weight was pre surgery), Annie is 1lb 15 oz(gain of 2oz over past 2 weeks)I weighed them tonite.
They didn't eat much tonite, maybe 1/2 oz at last check, but last nite and this morning they ate over an ounce each. Annie eats more.
Usually I give them ~ 1/8 cup Nature's variety frozen bites each in the morning, with a little salmon or olive oil on top- Sophie gets ~1/2 tsp chicken or turkey baby food mixed in or she won't eat. I give them each an egg yolk once or twice a week, Annie's not too interested in it, but Sophie will eat it happily. Night is soupy with either more NV bites or cut up meat slivers-chicken, pork or I have NV chicken, rabbit, duck and I just picked up their beef tonite. We seem to be stuck at this point. Annie will pick up larger pieces of meat and carry it off, drop it and forget it.
Stools: Annie's look like they should according to the poop chart- raw meat, boneless. Sophie's look like kibble fed altho there's no kibble around.
Activity: Neither seem very active. They get the run of the house for a few hours in the morning and both make beelines for the second floor and my bedroom, where they burrow into a drawer and stay there till I call them to come down. They are let out again in the evening and usually go out on the porch with a dig box, some tunnels and a few other toys; they play for a few minutes then hang by the door waiting to be let out. This is not a change in their activity level-they've always been laid back.
I am terribly stupid with computers; can't figure how to post the pictures you asked for. My daughter is coming down tomorrow and I will get her to show me how to do it.

[Deleted]

Yikes! Got up to find ferret barf all over the lowest level of the cage today(they sleep in the top level)and some scary looking poop in the box. Thinking it's Sophie as she's acting kind of lethargic this morning and Annie is running about.

I am hoping the picture i took of it comes throug

[mjbez]

Hello! Sorry I haven't checked in the last 2 days. It has been super crazy around here. My car broke down Friday on my way home, I have been sick the last 3 days and I had to spend yesterday looking for a new vehicle... ugh. Lol.
That poop looks like undigested soup to me. Keep a really close eye on her. Is she still throwing up at all? How are her poops today?

"Usually I give them ~ 1/8 cup Nature's variety frozen bites each in the morning, with a little salmon or olive oil on top- Sophie gets ~1/2 tsp chicken or turkey baby food mixed in or she won't eat. I give them each an egg yolk once or twice a week, Annie's not too interested in it, but Sophie will eat it happily. Night is soupy with either more NV bites or cut up meat slivers-chicken, pork or I have NV chicken, rabbit, duck and I just picked up their beef tonight. We seem to be stuck at this point. Annie will pick up larger pieces of meat and carry it off, drop it and forget it."

I am curious - have you tried mashing the bites and adding a little warm water for Sophie? Some ferrets prefer a more soupie texture. I happen to feed NV as well and I know if I don't add water and mash it up for my spoiled fuzz a couple will refuse to eat! This is a great morning meal, and I like that you have 4 proteins in the NV.
For their evening meal, I would like you to continue to add pieces of meat. Chicken is usually best received. I want them as small as the crescent on your finger nail (yes, cutting them this small is a pain in the rear, but this is usually the easiest way to get them eating pieces). start by counting out about 6 little pieces. After their meal, count again and see how they are eating them. We will start with just the evening meal.

You are finger feeding Sophie, which considering she has had surgery and has lost a little weight doesn't hurt. But I would like you to start moving your finger to the dish. Continue to hold her and keep moving your finger down towards her dish as she eats. See if she will lap any up on her own.
Something that can help a stubborn fuzz eat is making sure the food is luke-warmish rather than cold. So defrosting and adding a little warm water so it is not cold to touch is often more appetizing for the picky ones.
How runny is the NV and soupie for Sophie? If it isn't already, make it a nice smooth runny texture until she will eat it on her own. Once she eats reliably on her own we can start thickening it up.

As for their energy: have you tried rearranging toys, playing towel chase/ride, doing toy rotations? Sometimes they just get kinda bored and need a little change to get them excitedly playing again. However, since they have always been more laid back I am not overly concerned. What we want to keep an eye on is a sudden change in energy levels.
Poops: Sophie's poops could look more kibble fed due to the NV. NV has some fruit and veggie matter that can form some pretty large/ shaped stools. When mine have NV the stools are very different then when they eat say quail or chicken.

Also, I see you adopted Annie last year. Do you know how old she is? (I may be missing her age somewhere in your previous post)

Do you have top down pictures of your two ladies?

I look forward to helping you with your switching process. It is sometimes frustrating, exciting, crazy, but in the end it is soooo worth it! It is awesome that your 2 are already on a raw diet, now we will work on the pieces

[Deleted]

Hi- sorry about your car. Nothing worse than having to look for something like that when you're not feeling well. Sophie still is producing very loose stools. I was heartened this am when I saw some mostly formed, but then she did another loose one. Anything I give her is watery, since staying away from chicken obviously hasn't made a difference, I can give her chicken or lamb soupy tonite. I had called an emergency vet this afternoon about her, but they didn't seem too concerned when I said she was eating and drinking ok,and her activity level was pretty much normal. She doesn't seem dehydrated. She will eat out of the bowl, but I've been holding her and pushing the food up to her mouth. I will start with the small slivers again with Annie; should I try some with Sophie? We adopted Annie in Jan. of 2013, she was 1 1/2 yrs old when we got her.(so she's almost 3?) Good to know about the warm food being more attractive-I thought I had really picky eaters, or they were playing me. It's always warm. And no, no more vomit. I'm worried about Sophie because she has been the sweetest ferret we've ever had(Had 4 before her) and ferret # 2 had some GI thing from which she never made it home from the vet. Plus her age. Think I have the sending photos down, the two I am sending shows Sophie and Annie then just Sophie-wish her hair would grow back in. Thanks for your help!

[Deleted]

Hmmm. I saw the pictures on here, but don't see them now. Let me know if they didn't show up. Actually, Sophie's stool looks much better tonite, maybe it IS chicken?? Will try to get her to eat some lamb soupie tonite, but tried a little while ago and she acted really like I had poisoned her.

[mjbez]

No Pics.

Hmmm. I wonder if it is a chicken sensitivity or if the soupie doesn't contain enough egg shell? Has Sophie vomited/ had really loose stools with chicken before? Lamb is usually really well received by ferrets with sensitive tummies.

For now, we want Sophie just eating independently without holding. So if she needs to be held to begin eating try setting her down as she gains interest. Or you can try to hold her in front of you sitting on the floor. I did this with my oldest. She wouldn't eat unless I was touching her (hand on the back or her side like I was holding her). As she eats, slowly move your hand away so she is not being held but is close to you. Eventually you should be able to show her food and move away. It is important for her to learn to eat on her own without being held/ prompted.
Is the soup/NV with Annie runny? If so, we will start with thickening it up slowly. If it is already a thicker consistency you can start by adding about 6 small crescent sized pieces of chicken to her meal.

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

I am running out of ideas for Sophie to eat. I really want to stay away from chicken for a few days to see if her poops straighten out. I have veal soupie and lamb soupie at home, but my blender apparently sucks because I'm finding big pieces of meat in it, no matter how long I blend it. (so 1 oz of soupie ends up being more like 1/2 oz.)I'm looking for other prepared food, or freeze dried. The local natural food guy is really nice, but as he says, I don't know about ferrets. He ordered me some Carnivore Care- I saw that people are giving it to their ferrets as a food supplement. What do you think of that idea? He will order anything I need, but he doesnt' carry ferret food at this time. So I can ask him to order what you suggest. FDR, or other types of frozen prepared is what I'm looking for. And I am going to start looking for a new vet. I posted online after I got back from my emergency vet appt and it's beginning to sound like the guy I'm using now isn't so great.

[mjbez]

I'm going to post a longer response later, I apologize, this time on the year is crazy. I was working almost solid until 1030 last night. I will have a chance to look through this thread a little closer later today

[mjbez]

For now, why not stick to the lamb nv? That is a balanced meal for her and is something easy to use. Just add water to make it more soupie. I'm not familiar with carnivore care but will look into it. For now use the lamb nv. Don't worry about to much variety for a few days it will be fine. It's more important to get her tummy settled.