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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 14:12:17 GMT -5
Sorrrrry that I haven't responded. The last few days have been draining. Back to back headaches and migraines with a huge dash of lack of sleep.
No worries with the bones. Just get him to eat his slivers for sure. The size is still the same or did we increase the size?
Regarding the chewing on fabric. Is it a specific kind of fabric? Is it in his cage (if he has one)? If it's his cage or an area he can access, I would recommend switching that fabric material with denim. =/ Is he hungry? No, some ferrets just suckle for comfort or they have something called PICA, which is where they eat anything they find. So yeah, keep an eye on him regarding the chewing. We don't want a blockage. Let me contact another mentor who has dealt with ferts chewing on fabric. I'll get back to you on that. =)
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 11:14:05 GMT -5
I hope you're feeling better! I completely understand. I'm 6 months into a shoulder injury rehab and been going through a flare up. Then my asthma kicked in making me feel all that much better. I don't think Alvin is trying to eat the fabric. He chews on the crocheted egg I think because it is a little squishy. The other fabric was the lining of my box spring. One of my other ferrets a few years ago pulled a corner loose and Alvin likes to pull on that. He leaves his blankets alone. He doesn't chew on his rubber bone. He is a strange boy! He was eating small slivers but he had worked his way up in size until his guns started bothering him. He is now eating again without being held so it's time to start increasing the size of slivers again. Let me ask you this though - his breath stinks! Even after brushing he smells like bad raw meat. I'm sure part of that is his bad teeth. Is there something I can do about that or is it time for the vet to do a dental? Thanks! Hope you feel better so you can enjoy the weekend!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 12:09:33 GMT -5
So the wonkies! I've heard of many ferts destroying their wonkies. I still have no idea why they love to do that but they do. So it's not unheard of. Just keep an eye on him when he's with his wonkies lol.
How has the brushing gone? Are you still doing that or did you cut back a little? Since you introduced him to bones, the bones should help with the teeth/ gum stimulation/ cleaning. But if you'd like, take him to a vet to get a second opinion regarding getting dental work on him.
Still excited that he actually crunched on some bones!!! Successssss! ^_^
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 16:29:51 GMT -5
I am still brushing his teeth and I think the bones he did eat really got swallowed. He did chew on the bigger pieces before spitting them out though. Huge step forward. I was making a mess with the cleaver and meat tenderizer making everything small enough (and made a huge racket as well). Hubby gets to be sole parent next week while I am on work travel so he asked me if I he was going to have to do all this while I'm gone. I had to laugh while thinking to myself it is going to be many, many call from me to him just to make sure he feeds Alvin and gives him medicine each day so I'm not going to make him pulverize and chop as well. Funny guy!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2015 12:45:06 GMT -5
HUGEEEEE STEP FORWARD!!!! Especially for Alvin. It's great when you see them progressing int he right direction! ^_^ There's not much you can do with the mess, cutting up meat is a messy job sometimes. It happens, just wash up when you're done and that's it. I'm so freaking proud of your progress with Alvin! Keep it up!!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2015 22:44:10 GMT -5
Ugh. One step forward and huge leap backwards? The quail gave Alvin the runs. Poor boy. He tolerated quail nicely the first couple times he has had it. He also decided once again that chewing is unnecessary and only links his food. I've tried leaving it for lunch while I'm at work hoping he will eat when he gets hungry (did not touch it), tried hand feeding (he protests and wiggles), tried heating the food slightly (I ended up cooking it too much and he still would only lick). I try not to give in and go back to soupie but I'm afraid his sugars will drop too much if I let him get too hungry. I'll be gone Monday through Friday evening for work and hubby is worried Alvin will get sick if he doesn't eat enough or right while I'm gone. Trying to prepare Hubby for Alvin's moods and ferret stubborness. He does seem happy and bright so I guess he isn't starving himself. Do you have any suggestions to get Alvin to try chewing?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2015 11:28:52 GMT -5
Ideas to get him to chew his food. Adding a little bit of his favorite oil, a little bit of soup, a little bit of baby food? Something to grab his attention and once he get started, he'll continue eating, at least that's the idea.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2015 12:07:50 GMT -5
Thanks, jocelyn. I have tried giving him larger sivers mixed with smaller ones and oil/babyfood/soupie but he finds those, chews on it a second and then spits them out. Great Alvin style, LOL. Anyways, I am on a work trip right now so Hubby is watching Alvin for the very first time (ever!) so I gave him Alvin's schedule, how-tos and approved snacks. To help him out I have Joe giving him grounds again as he doesn't really know how the appropriate level of tough love and the tricks I've learned over the past 6 months of trying to keep Alvin on a good diet routine. So far (one day) so good. I do miss my boy! He is playing a bit more which is great but also made it very hard to leave yesterday. He was bouncing, playing in his tubes and being a normal if older ferret. Love seeing him that way! I'll be in touch soon and let you know if Hubby has issues.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 18:31:22 GMT -5
Have you tried larger pieces but maybe using the meat tenderizer to make the meat less, tough? Idk why he's refusing bigger pieces. He's one little spoiled fert though lol. I'm glad day 1 went great. I'll ask other mentors on other possible options to get him to chew.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 21:57:26 GMT -5
Thanks! I gave hubby a hard time about trying to remember to actually give Alvin's meals on time that he has been adding more baby food to the meat just to get him to eat a full meal. Today I had to have the talk about tough love and holding Alvin to spoon feed and not pile on more junk food. I think Alvin misses his Mama but he's also milking Daddy for some extra junk food. He is not only stubborn but he is also very smart. Just like a 2 year old! I will try the tenderizer again on slivers and try to make them larger slowly but surely. Also need to make another batch of soupie. Lots to do when I get home!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2015 19:03:40 GMT -5
Okay, So one of the other mentors suggested keeping the slivers as they are (when he's used to chewing on) but making them a little bit longer.
I saw that you are back at home and Alvin was verrrrry happy to see you. How is he doing with being back at tough loving? I'm sure he enjoyed the extra love and baby food from dad though lol
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2015 6:51:22 GMT -5
I'll give that a try! Alvin has been eating much better and Hubby confessed last night that he thinks after seeing Alvin eat this week that he doesn't think he gave Alvin as much as I have been. Alvin looked pretty good when I got home so I don't think he was too hungry. I've been trying to mix up his protein a bit and gave beef another try yesterday. Still not a fan but Alvin did reluctantly eat it. He still has no interest in bone but I'll keep trying!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2015 9:12:04 GMT -5
I'm glad that he's eating a lot better now. Just gotta get him to appreciate those bones lol but until then eggshells like always. But yes, keep trying! Even if it's the little annoying pieces that take forever to mash up. Keep it up, he'll come around and let me know how the slightly longer slivers work. The mentor said to cut it while it's half thawed out so it's easier to manipulate, if that helps. =) But awesome work thus far. (dance)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 8:18:08 GMT -5
Anything new going on with Mr. Alvin? New sliver size? Bone? Etc. Lol.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 9:39:00 GMT -5
Alvin is chewing a bit! Ate some quail and the heart he didn't eat yesterday. I am thinking of temporarily mixing grounds with larger slivers to help him chew larger pieces. He eats grounds well but instead of mixing with babyfood or soup I will see if I can sneak the larger pieces into grounds. That will also help me out. I took a nasty spill on my bike yesterday and bruised and scraped and tore the heck out of my left side, and of course I'm left handed. Happy with Alvin's progress though. He has a good appetite and poops look good. I'll fill you in on the slivers later tonight or tomorrow.
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