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Post by mjbez on May 26, 2015 21:33:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. They have been kinda stuck at this point for some time now. This weekend I will talk to my senior mentors to advise me to if this is the correct time to graduate you. They are on a balanced raw diet (although a little limited with variety). Variety is rough when your girlies are so picky! How do you feel about completing the program? Are you feeling ready?
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Post by mjbez on Jun 8, 2015 22:46:12 GMT -5
Hey Mel,
I have not talked to my mentors yet, I was wanting to make sure you are feeling prepared. How are things going?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2015 20:31:13 GMT -5
Things are about the same except I think Sophie is slowing down. She's been kind of lethargic last nite and today but she is eating well. At this point I think I am ready to graduate. As you say, we are kind of at a stand still. I also don't want to take up space/your time that someone else could use.
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Post by mjbez on Jun 14, 2015 1:28:51 GMT -5
Ok so for graduation here is what I need you to do: I need you to complete these questions and I need a final copy of your menu written out. (if nothing changed from the last one just copy and paste if for me. I submit it for approval) If you do OK on the questions and your menu is approved you will be graduated from the program . Remember, at any given point if you decide you want to try whole pieces again you can either just ask for advice from the masses, sign up for a mentor or even PM me and if I am available to I will happily help you out as a mentor again! Having a com raw diet is still a nice healthy option, just remember to brush their teeth once in a while! 1) What is a healthy diet item that can be used for hairballs, and his often should you give it? 2) Give 2 examples each of muscle meat, edible bones, and organs 3) How many meals a week should be organ, and of those meals how much needs to be liver? 4)Your ferret's stools are loose/soft. What is this a sign of and how can you adjust to fix it? 5) List 2 good sources of taurine. 6) How much food on average should a male and female ferret each consume per DAY?
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Post by mjbez on Jun 14, 2015 1:36:45 GMT -5
Has Sophie been in for a check up lately? Are you able to take a pic so I can see her weight? I'm wondering about bg with her energy level
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 21:22:22 GMT -5
OK, the answers to the questions are below. I will try and send the picture of Sophie that I just took, but you know me and cameras/sending things. I had brought Sophie into the vet about a month ago because she had a swelling/lump under one of her nipples. The vet said it was a cyst and drained it. I have an appt for her in a little over 2 weeks for a check up and possibly draw blood for a distemper titer. But she is definitely slower. But eating more, and has gained an ounce (up to 2 lbs 3 oz). She usually eats an ounce at a time and will finish up what Annie leaves. Sometimes I try and feed them at different times so Annie finishes. Sophie is not using a litter box consistently these days. Annie is holding her weight at 1 lb 11 oz, a gain of 2 oz I believe. She actually gnawed on a chicken wing tip the other day! Not much, but some. Menu is essentially the same: Mon. am&pm NV duck, 1 oz each per meal. PM I add 1 quail egg usually for each. Tues am&pm NV rabbit, 1 medallion each per meal. We all really like the medallions. But I can only get them in the rabbit. Wed. am&pm NV chicken, 1 oz each per meal Thurs am 1 quail egg each or 1/2 chicken egg, ~1/2 oz NV duck Thurs pm 1 0z each Rad Cat turkey or lamb Fri am &pm 1 oz each NV duck Sat am&pm NV rabbit, 1 medallion each Sun am NV chicken, pm Rad Cat chicken
I think they would happily eat more than 1 quail egg, but I thought I saw somewhere that even though they are smaller, they are as nutritious as a chicken egg.
The questions:
1.- Eggs with maybe a little salmon or olive oil is good for hairballs. One egg(quail, or 1/2 a chicken) once or twice a week. The whole egg, not just the yolk. 2.- Muscle meat: turkey thighs, lamb, beef, heart Edible bones: chicken/ CGH wings, chicken necks. Chicken ribs or backs. Beef shank? Organ: liver, kidney, pancreas 3. There should be 3 meals a week of organs, 1/2 of which should be liver 4. Loose stool could be a sign of so many things! The simplest could be if they are being fed soupie with not enough egg shell. You could sprinkle a little more egg shell on top. I think you could use egg shell to firm up their stool even after they are no longer eating soupie. If it continues for more than 1 day I would be calling the vet. I would also try adding some probiotics to the food. 5. Good sources of taurine are heart or any muscle meat 6. Females can eat between 1-3 oz/day, males~2-4 oz/day. I am also (hopefully) sending a picture of Sophie and Annie sleeping, which you will have to look at sideways because I can't get it to rotate on my computer. Let me know if they don't come through
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Post by mjbez on Jun 23, 2015 22:02:40 GMT -5
Looks good except one error: Organs - 1.5 meals a week and heart 1.5 meals a week. You were correct with the 1/2 being liver.
Also I don't know about beef shank. Mine wouldn't make it through any beef bone. perhaps smashed up enough.
Your right - loose stools can be a sign of a few things. But if you were feeding a frankenprey diet what could it be a sign of in terms of diet?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2015 20:33:04 GMT -5
It could be a sign of too much organ, especially heart, so I would cut down a little on the amount of heart they get. Some day maybe I will get to this point, but not counting on it. The pictures came out OK? Her hair is getting a little sparse on her shoulders these days.
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Post by mjbez on Jul 4, 2015 13:19:12 GMT -5
Loose stools can be a sign of too much organ - however, if you are following the guidelines of 1.5 heart and 1.5 that is not a number that should be tinkered with. However not enough bone will do this as well. Too much bone = dry poops and not enough = loose poops.
There are no pics on my end. I would think if there is hair loss on the shoulders that would be adrenal. Can you try posting them again?
Also, If you ever do decide to go the frankenprey route I highly recommend applying back for the mentorship program. This will ensure that your babes are getting enough of everything they need.
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Post by mjbez on Jul 4, 2015 13:24:58 GMT -5
Also- I have submitted your menu - I will hear back from Heather soon
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Post by Heather on Jul 6, 2015 10:45:17 GMT -5
Congratulations :boing: You've graduated and you're ready to walk this path alone. You have the foundation to help you feed your fuzzes in a more natural and healthy manner. Please remember that your learning never stops, and dietary needs change from ferret to ferret and throughout each their lives. A variety of proteins and textures switched around will be the ultimate best food for your little ones and also prevent them from becoming to fixed on a particular protein. Your daily amounts are at the lower end for a sprite, so watch closely for any signs that they may need their amounts increased. I would like you to be aware that though you now have the capability and the knowledge to create your little ones diets you are never alone and that your mentor (you need only pm) is always available to you. The list is also a very good resource and you should always be aware that it's available to answer any questions you may have either about diet or care. Good luck, in a few days the thread will be locked down placed in the archives but be aware that you can always look through it as a reference tool but you just will not be able to post to it. Your mentor will be in to congratulate you shortly :thankyou:
ciao
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Post by mjbez on Jul 7, 2015 23:04:32 GMT -5
Congrats Mel! It has been a tough road we have walked together, but ultimately your girls are raw fed queens now! The benefits of being on a raw diet are huge, and your success to get them there is too. Great work, Any questions or concerns in the future, feel free to post or pm me
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 16:23:00 GMT -5
Thank you,Mjbez for all your guidance and support! Definitely could not have done this without your knowledge and encouragement-you kept me going! Thank you very much, and Sophie and Annie thank you also:)
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