Post by mjbez on Jul 6, 2014 14:13:18 GMT -5
Sun. 6/29:AM 0.30z NV rabbit, PM: 0.750z rad cat turkey, 10 slivers, 3 1/4" pieces
Mon 6/30 AM 0.75 0z NV duck,PM 1 0z chicken soup, 12 bigger slivers, 2 1/4" pieces
Tues 7/1 AM Minimal amount NV chicken, PM 0.75 0z pork soupie, 6 slivers
Wed. 7/2 AM 0.5 oz NV duck, PM 0.25 oz NV chicken
Thurs 7/3 AM minimal amount Bravo Duck, PM 0.75 NV chicken no slivers
Fri 7/4 AM did not eat any (rad cat turkey) PM 0.2 0z NV duck
Sat 7/5 AM 0.25 oz NV chicken, no slivers PM: She's still eating.
Your suggestion about the slivers and making a bunch at a time was very helpful- much easier.
I'm glad the sliver suggestion is easier for you I know it is a lot of work but trust me, it does get easier! The larger pieces she starts accepting the better, as larger pieces are easier.
Monday - good amount eaten 1.75 oz
Tuesday - .75 (maybe a bit more with slivers and minimal morning meal)
Wednesday - .75 total
Thursday - .75 plus morning minimal amount
Friday - .2
Saturday - .25 + still eating.
So, Monday and Tuesday look good. Their day to day will vary. Since a larger amount was eaten on Monday she ate a bit less Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday are a bit low but it is Friday that really stands out. I can't help but wonder if she is eating some kibble since she has maintained her weight. Once we get Sophie on CR then that possibility can hopefully be avoided
Is Annie eating all of her slivers? I see she is eating some but is that what you are offering or is she spitting some out? If she is eating them well, don't be afraid to add a few more. We want to get to the point where the pieces make up a lot more of the overall meal. If she is accepting the 1/4" pieces stick to that size, but increase the amount.
Sophie - I noticed you said you are having trouble finding NV in small sizes. Do you have access to the patties? They are obviously too large but what I used to do (before I had 5, that now eat an entire one) is take one and defrost it just enough to cut. Then I would cut and weigh out the amount I need (lets say 1.5 oz) and bag them. One patty could probably make 4 meals or so. But then I had them, bagged, ready to put in a sink of luke warm water to defrost and warm up. Mine only like it warm so I still take a patty and put it in a sink of warm water to defrost and warm before feeding.
If you can't find NV at all why not try rad cat? As long as you don't mind feeding it exclusively for a good week (or more, depending how she takes to it) that would be fine. I just don't want the two being alternated until we know she is OK on both. So one for a week-2 weeks then we can try the other brand if you want. Remember, it can not only be the protein that causes diarrhea but what is fed to that protein, any added ingredients or it could be other factors of stress not related to food, like no out of cage time that day, etc. So make sure to keep a log with Sophie. Mark what she eats, how much, how her poop and energy were, and any other factors.
There are some natural things to help with things like IBD. I asked some of our senior mentors about this issue and here is what Katt had to say:
Slippery Elm, Reishi, Probios, and Pancreatin are all good. Pancreatin is more for chronic issues than acute as it helps to pre-digest the meat to make it easier to absorb, but it may be beneficial in any ferret not eating pancreas meat. Reishi helps to reduce inflammation. Slippery Elm coats and soothes the tummy (which also reduces nutrient absorption - which is where the Pancreatin comes in handy) - it's like a holistic carafate.
So - If you are wanting to try something, you could definitely try some reishi - the dose is 1/4 capusle daily or some probiotics which can be purchased at health food stores or online as well.
As for if she does have a flare up with bad diarrhea. Remove the food, keep her hydrated, let her rest etc. When it is time to see the vet is when you see extreme lethargy (squinty eyes, floppy ferret etc) Some lethargy will be normal, as if they have a reaction/ flare up they are bound not to feel well. Since pork seemed to be the possible issue last time that will be a protein we wait to try until nearing the end of her switch.
Mon 6/30 AM 0.75 0z NV duck,PM 1 0z chicken soup, 12 bigger slivers, 2 1/4" pieces
Tues 7/1 AM Minimal amount NV chicken, PM 0.75 0z pork soupie, 6 slivers
Wed. 7/2 AM 0.5 oz NV duck, PM 0.25 oz NV chicken
Thurs 7/3 AM minimal amount Bravo Duck, PM 0.75 NV chicken no slivers
Fri 7/4 AM did not eat any (rad cat turkey) PM 0.2 0z NV duck
Sat 7/5 AM 0.25 oz NV chicken, no slivers PM: She's still eating.
Your suggestion about the slivers and making a bunch at a time was very helpful- much easier.
I'm glad the sliver suggestion is easier for you I know it is a lot of work but trust me, it does get easier! The larger pieces she starts accepting the better, as larger pieces are easier.
Monday - good amount eaten 1.75 oz
Tuesday - .75 (maybe a bit more with slivers and minimal morning meal)
Wednesday - .75 total
Thursday - .75 plus morning minimal amount
Friday - .2
Saturday - .25 + still eating.
So, Monday and Tuesday look good. Their day to day will vary. Since a larger amount was eaten on Monday she ate a bit less Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday are a bit low but it is Friday that really stands out. I can't help but wonder if she is eating some kibble since she has maintained her weight. Once we get Sophie on CR then that possibility can hopefully be avoided
Is Annie eating all of her slivers? I see she is eating some but is that what you are offering or is she spitting some out? If she is eating them well, don't be afraid to add a few more. We want to get to the point where the pieces make up a lot more of the overall meal. If she is accepting the 1/4" pieces stick to that size, but increase the amount.
Sophie - I noticed you said you are having trouble finding NV in small sizes. Do you have access to the patties? They are obviously too large but what I used to do (before I had 5, that now eat an entire one) is take one and defrost it just enough to cut. Then I would cut and weigh out the amount I need (lets say 1.5 oz) and bag them. One patty could probably make 4 meals or so. But then I had them, bagged, ready to put in a sink of luke warm water to defrost and warm up. Mine only like it warm so I still take a patty and put it in a sink of warm water to defrost and warm before feeding.
If you can't find NV at all why not try rad cat? As long as you don't mind feeding it exclusively for a good week (or more, depending how she takes to it) that would be fine. I just don't want the two being alternated until we know she is OK on both. So one for a week-2 weeks then we can try the other brand if you want. Remember, it can not only be the protein that causes diarrhea but what is fed to that protein, any added ingredients or it could be other factors of stress not related to food, like no out of cage time that day, etc. So make sure to keep a log with Sophie. Mark what she eats, how much, how her poop and energy were, and any other factors.
There are some natural things to help with things like IBD. I asked some of our senior mentors about this issue and here is what Katt had to say:
Slippery Elm, Reishi, Probios, and Pancreatin are all good. Pancreatin is more for chronic issues than acute as it helps to pre-digest the meat to make it easier to absorb, but it may be beneficial in any ferret not eating pancreas meat. Reishi helps to reduce inflammation. Slippery Elm coats and soothes the tummy (which also reduces nutrient absorption - which is where the Pancreatin comes in handy) - it's like a holistic carafate.
So - If you are wanting to try something, you could definitely try some reishi - the dose is 1/4 capusle daily or some probiotics which can be purchased at health food stores or online as well.
As for if she does have a flare up with bad diarrhea. Remove the food, keep her hydrated, let her rest etc. When it is time to see the vet is when you see extreme lethargy (squinty eyes, floppy ferret etc) Some lethargy will be normal, as if they have a reaction/ flare up they are bound not to feel well. Since pork seemed to be the possible issue last time that will be a protein we wait to try until nearing the end of her switch.