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Post by acodlin on Mar 2, 2015 17:54:42 GMT -5
Yes they can chew on turkey necks but they probably cant eat the bones unless you smash them. The trotter.. if there is easy meat to get you could try. Tripe usually isn't well received, but my Loki will eat it so give it a go.
I dont think the price for quail is too bad. Its a shame you have to order so many at one time. I bet they will like it though.
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Post by RedSky on Mar 4, 2015 5:04:34 GMT -5
I need to update with some pictures later but they are doing better with the chicken wings, although I still have to smash the bones up tiny. They haven't had duck wings at all this week so instead of a chick after their organ meal tonight I'm going to put in a duck wing, then again in the morning and again tomorrow afternoon and hope they eat some of it. The bag is going down thank goodness and about time too.
My back has been really sore so I haven't been able to sort the freezer out yet so haven't ordered the quail yet. I'm going to leave it another week or so.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 4, 2015 18:41:33 GMT -5
Yay! Even if you have to smash it that is progress. I'm excited for your kiddos!
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Post by RedSky on Mar 5, 2015 12:52:27 GMT -5
I've lost my phone, or more specifically my OH has lost my phone. He used to to grab something Mako had stashed under the bidet and neither of us has seen it since, so I'm afraid I can't get pictures just yet. I will do as soon as I find it. It's been missing a few days. Wish me luck!
I'm a little concerned about Mako today, he has no energy and no interest. Normally when I go to let them out even if the boys are asleep they soon wake up and in their sleepy daze almost fall out of the cage in their hurry to be out. Korra is like a spring, always ready to bounce around... Anyway, so today when I went to open the cage Mako moved a little and I thought he was coming out so I went to follow Korra who was already running off. After about 10 minutes I thought it was odd Mako hadn't come out so I went to check if he'd sneaked past. He was still in bed, so I left him to it. An hour later and still no sign so I woke him up to make sure he was okay. He looks okay, doesn't have any obvious problems. He followed me out of the cage so just thought I was being paranoid, but he's really lethargic, he keeps just laying on the floor, he back end is extra wobbly but then it's like he's just woken up. His eyes are a little squinted but again he just wants to sleep so I'm thinking maybe it's just that... I don't know. My OH will be home soon and Mako loves him and normally wakes up as soon as he gets home. He's eating, drinking and toileting fine. Maybe he's just a bit tired... We are both home all day tomorrow so we can keep checking him over night and maybe even keep him in with us to make sure we know exactly how much he has eaten and drunk and check on him without disturbing the other two (mainly Korra... She wakes up and wants out every time I open the door). If he's no better by morning I'll take him to the vets, or sooner if I think he's any worse.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 6, 2015 9:36:48 GMT -5
It certainly sounds like he doesn't feel well. How are his stools? Did he eat? I hope he has improved today...
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Post by RedSky on Mar 6, 2015 15:32:50 GMT -5
Mako and now Bolin we acting off again this morning and since it was so sunny outside I pulled out their harnesses. Bolin was happy watching the world go by and making sure Mako didn't go out of sight, if he did he would then fallow. Mako perked up as soon as I opened the 'gate' to the top of the stairs, he came dashing down and straight into the living room to find 'Daddy'. He seemed to really enjoy being outside, had fun digging in the soil, playing in the leaves and generally exploring. Korra wasn't happy. I was tempted to leave her inside but she kept trying to climb up me when I grabbed the boys so I took her too. She refused to walk down the stairs, refused to walk out of the door and so had to be carried. Once outside she seemed very nervous but didn't want to be picked up. No biting us or harassing the boys though! So all in all a better day.
Their stools look fine, they are eating as much as normal and I've seen everyone drink over the course of the day. It's heart for tea and Bolin isn't as interested as usual but has eaten about 1oz. I'll continue to watch them carefully, but I'm wondering if they are just bored. We have had to close of the bathroom because we are storing some bits in their while we redecorate another one of the rooms and they normally like going in there, it's the coldest room in the house and Bolin often sleeps in the shower.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 7, 2015 12:24:36 GMT -5
Could be they are switching seasons? They lose weight in the spring. My kids have off days too where they just don't eat as much and decide to be lazy. I dont worry too much unless it carries on or I see some other symptom.
They could be bored, they need changes in their environment. I take up toys and bring them back out, change out dig boxes, take them for rides in the stroller. Just something different to stir things up.
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Post by RedSky on Mar 9, 2015 4:57:53 GMT -5
Sorry been a bit ill over the weekend and haven't managed to post. Mako has perked back up but now Bolin say's it's his turn. Since he only ate that oz of heart on Friday he's eating less and less. He's now done to 2lb 12oz from 3lb 2oz over a week ago. I've made a thread in the health section as I know you won't be on until tonight (with the time difference) so wanted answers as quick as I could. I'm on the verge of taking him to the vet. I'm a bit of a worrier and take them at the slightest thing. He ate half a mouse over night, compared to the usual 2 almost straight away (and then having a bone in meal overnight). I'm fairly confident it's not a blockage as I gave him 1tsp of pumpkin (and salmon oil) and it passed through with nothing in.
Korra is eating a little less and has lost a oz, but still as active and still a little *@%$#! So I'm happy that that seems like a normal spring time drop.
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Post by RedSky on Mar 11, 2015 9:34:12 GMT -5
Bolin is still very much off his food. He's eating a little bit most of the times I offer if it's something he normally really likes, but anything chicken or duck based is getting ignored completely. His favourite meals are normally whole prey but he doesn't have the energy to chew through them. Is it okay if I feed him soupy for for one meal and then chopped heart (but big enough to chew a bit) covered in bone meal powder for the other each day? He will eat some of the organ meal so he will still have that on the right days but he doesn't seem interested in any other meat. He's having his spleen removed tomorrow so hopefully he will feel much better soon, but I don't want him going hungry or having loose stools because of an unbalanced diet. Normally he is my best eater, showing the other two what they can eat so at the moment they other two are only eating the things they have had often and even then with less gusto. Pheasant which was stripped to the bone last time is completely ignored at the moment. Normally Bolin runs off with it and the other two follow and eat too.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 11, 2015 18:49:23 GMT -5
Could be a seasonal change. They can lose quite a bit of weight rapidly when switching from winter to summer mode. Since this is your first year with them, its hard to know how much weight loss is normal. Did they do any blood work when you had him there? I have a few with enlarged spleens.. I dont usually remove them unless its absolutely needed. Is there a specific reason she wants to remove it?
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Post by RedSky on Mar 12, 2015 6:05:50 GMT -5
He's not left their cage on his own for about 5 days and barely eating for 6 days, when I get him out he goes to the toilet then finds the nearest place to go back to sleep. He's eating about an oz a day and thats being spoon fed with salmon oil on every few hours. He stashes the mice and chicks but after a few chomps goes back to bed or just flat ferrets where he is. He's not a happy chap at all, his eyes are half closed which I thought was just because he's tired but the vet said it's a sign of pain and his spleen is very very large, bigger than it was previously. She's worried it might rupture and is causing all these symptoms. I will admit I'm worried that the two are unrelated and there is something else going on but she's going to have a look around while he's open to see if she can see any other problems. He was only neutered last year so I think adrenal is unlikely. He ate half a tea spoon of food this morning with salmon oil on top. I took some soupy with him and gave them some salmon oil with instructions to put it on his food or water if he refuses them. Even with it he won't eat any where near what he normally does. Hopefully they will call me in a few hours, I was in tears driving him there, I can't believe I am so attached after only having him a few months.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 12, 2015 8:28:46 GMT -5
No that doesn't sound good. He is having the surgery today?? I will keep my fingers crossed that everything goes well. Please let me know how he does.
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Post by RedSky on Mar 12, 2015 10:48:36 GMT -5
I've just written an essay in my other thread titles 'To Vet or Not to Vet' about my eventful day with the boys. Never thought I'd be so grateful for Korra (aka The She Devil).
Bolin is back home, earlier than expected as I had to rush Mako on and since I was there they let him go with strict instructions to monitor him. He looks so skinny and has really baggy skin. He's already eaten 2 tablespoons of soupy and was looking for more but I don't want to over feed him so soon. I'm going to feed him a tablespoon every hour. No need for salmon oil either, he just wanted it as it is. The vet said his spleen was as big as her hand and thicker. She couldn't believe how huge it had got. She has to use too containers to send it off to be tested.
When I let the other two out to play Mako was dragging his back end. His legs were moving to help push him along but he was sort of on his side/hip with his feet sticking out to one side. I got a quick video of it to show the vet and rushed him straight there. He had improved by the time we got there but was still really wobbly and tensed up as the vet felt him over. She think's is most likely a trauma to his spine so has put him on painkillers/anti-inflammatories to help. He's home and eating like a champ too. He's going back on Saturday for a check over and to have a blood glucose test done, she said with being in pain it would effect his glucose level anyway so wouldn't give a decent reading. I'm about to order a meter to use at home now. Called the 3 local pharmacies and they don't have one.
Now I've got the challenge of needing all 3 ferrets separated and not having 3 cages for them. Mako and Korra are sharing the critter nation which I've put the dividing ramp up to split into two cages. Mako can't have anything to climb/fall from so just has the one level. I'm hoping he wont try to climb the bars.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 12, 2015 16:46:18 GMT -5
I saw that you were getting a playpen in the other thread, that should be good for Bolin as long as he doesn't try to climb out (and when he feels better he might just try!) Having a home meter is a great idea. I use an Alpha trak 2 www.amazon.com/AlphaTRAK-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/dp/B007Z0XULYYour vet might be able to order you one if you ask.
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Post by RedSky on Mar 12, 2015 17:57:06 GMT -5
I've ordered one for use with people from Boots, it was the only way I could get one quickly. I can go pick it up tomorrow. It only needs a really small amount of blood to work and takes cassettes rather than the strips so I wont have to deal with them and juggle. I'm hoping it will work okay, if not it wasn't too expensive so I can try another one. It was slightly more than the basic models that use the strips and the replacement cassettes are pretty much the same price as buying a new meter.
He's eating everything I put in front of him, I don't want him eating too much as the vet had to cut the pancreas off from around his stomach and his stomach was getting squished up and the pancreas was taking all the blood away from it. I've been offer a tablespoon full every hour and now doing 2 tablespoons every two hours and will do so during the night.
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