|
Post by Rylee Sage on May 4, 2015 22:30:46 GMT -5
So I have a 8 month old male ferret. About 2 hours ago, he used the bathroom and it was sort of thin and orange.
He has not been fed today until just now, however he has been drinking normally and is running around right now.
He doesn't seem to be in pain or anything, just the weird poop.
Could it be because he hasn't eaten today? (I know they have quick digestion) or something more serious?
Any help is appreciated!
|
|
|
Post by raynebc on May 4, 2015 23:07:02 GMT -5
I'd watch to see what the poop looks like after he's had food. If he hasn't eaten in several hours he may not have much of anything to evacuate.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 4, 2015 23:14:49 GMT -5
What was the meal he had before that poop? What is his current diet?
Raw fed ferrets have strange poops at times, if he's eating, drinking and playing fine then I wouldn't worry about it. If he doesn't poop again within 5 hours or so I'd start a round of blockage protocol to be safe. But first go over your entire house (or whatever rooms he is allowed in) and check EVERYTHING. Check his cage, his blankets, toys, check the carpet/rugs, check any visible cords, check under dressers/nightstands/beds, everywhere. Make sure nothing has been chewed up. Blockage protocol is as follows-
1st hour: 1 Tablespoon Plain Canned Pumpkin 2nd hour: 1 Teaspoon Plain White Vaseline 3rd hour: 1 Tbsp Pumpkin 4th hour: 1 Tsp Vaseline
And continue until he has a big orange poop. when he does, look through the poop. If you see any foreign objects or anything abnormal continue protocol until the poop is just poop. Then stop and monitor him, giving 1 Tbsp Pumpkin once a day for 3 days to make sure everything is out. If he goes more than 8 hr or so without pooping or is straining, vomits or passes out take him to the Vet IMMEDIATELY, ask for a Barium X-Ray (not a regular x ray, it HAS to be barium, a blockage won't show up on a normal one) and if it shows a blockage you'll likely have to have emergency surgery done to remove the foreign object. Oh, and a note, you can feed your Ferret during the protocol, it can help push it out and they'll need their strength also. But make sure it has NO bone in it or bonemeal powder, just regulag blended meat, baby food or carnivore care until blockage is passed or you are in the clear.
I think your little one is fine, but I give this info to anyone and everyone as I feel it's something you need to know as a ferret owner.
|
|
|
Post by Rylee Sage on May 4, 2015 23:25:27 GMT -5
He is just on kibble now, and the occasional cricket or dubia roach. He is eating and drinking normally, I'm going to stay up and see when he goes to the bathroom next. Just in case, how would I go about making him eat the Vaseline?
|
|
|
Post by Heather on May 4, 2015 23:47:45 GMT -5
why were you withholding food? a kibble fed ferret should never have held withheld and an 8 month old ferret shouldn't have it's food restricted....just a bit curious. If he's not eaten in the last 6 hrs he's not going to have much of a stool. Ferrets process food in 4 hrs from entry to exit. You don't feed for even 5 hrs he's not going to poop much of anything. If he's eating, drinking and playing he doesn't have a blockage, he's just hungry ciao
|
|
|
Post by Rylee Sage on May 4, 2015 23:53:54 GMT -5
He was over weight when I rescued him, and is on a diet plan that the vet recommended. He is not allowed to free feed. He eats a certain amount in the morning, and a certain amount at night. However, he never seems to have lack of bowel moments regardless, so that's why I'm somewhat worried.
|
|
|
Post by raynebc on May 5, 2015 0:55:04 GMT -5
It may be worth checking with the vet about feeding smaller amounts more often (ie. the same amount per day, but split up into 3 or 4 feedings instead of two). This should help keep food in the ferret's belly more consistently throughout the day. If the ferret goes hungry for too long it could make it easier for his blood glucose level to crash and that's not good.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on May 5, 2015 1:30:43 GMT -5
The problem is that 8 month old ferrets are often fat and rolly polly. They will naturally lean out on their first summer. Limiting kibbles is counter productive considering it takes so much kibbles to allow a ferret to cover their nutritional needs. I would consider buying higher grade kibbles and allowing him more access to food. This might also stop him from eating things that shouldn't be in his diet and might cause blockages I would be concerned about this. How much weight is your ferret expected to loose? ciao
|
|
|
Post by msav on May 5, 2015 10:28:53 GMT -5
MY 2 kits were almost 4 pounds through their first summer. They have since balanced out at 3 pounds.
How heavy is he. Most vets don't know much about ferrets. When I first took my ferrets to my non-ferret vet he tried to tell me that mine were over weight. Luckily he was a very open minded vet and took my knowledge of ferrets and confirmed with research. He also appreciated the articles that I sent to him about ferret kibble and raw feeding. It has made him a lot more ferret knowledgeable.
A ferret that is growing and developing will eat, eat , eat. They need proper nutrition to grow properly.
I have noticed that the ferrets That I have got at 8 weeks and went right to a raw diet are huge in comparison to my kibble fed ferrets that I got at 8 weeks old. May not be anything too it, but worth noting.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on May 5, 2015 10:58:09 GMT -5
I would be very upset if someone put one of my kits on a diet at that age. Until a ferret is 18 months of age all their nutrients go into making a better ferret. Radagast weighed in at 5 lbs 4 oz at 7 months. Was he a tubby yes he was....just like his father who now weighs in at 3 lbs 11 oz. Tico normally weighs in around 4 lbs. A kit's first year is all about growing and getting fat. After they hit a year someone pulls a switch and that weight drops off....it's scary. My concern is as I stated before....a ferret must have a relatively constant food supply when on kibble. There are so many additives and garbage the ferret doesn't need they have to constantly eat to maintain their health. Raw fed ferret can go for longer periods of time without food because their food is meant to hold up their BG. Kibble because it's carbs and sugars allows them to crash. My raw fed kids and even the kits have never been big for eating things they shouldn't....my rescues who come in on kibble chew everything. My concern for the little one is that he will start eating things like blankets and other unsuitable items. Once they start on that path it becomes very difficult to stop them ciao
|
|
|
Post by Rylee Sage on May 5, 2015 12:52:21 GMT -5
He is nearly SEVEN pounds. He is so large that it impedes his movement. He cannot climb stairs, and was very unwilling to do physical activity. The people that owned him before me NEVER let him out, and had him in a one level rat cage. He will not eat a raw diet. The only thing he will eat is this kibble. I have never seen a ferret as big as he is. My vet is a small animal vet, he has ben seeing ferrets for over ten years. The ferret would most likely die without this diet.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2015 13:25:55 GMT -5
For being only eight months old, the poor fellow doesn't sound like he has had much attention or fun. I'm glad that you rescued him and want to do what is right for him. Your vet sounds like he is familiar with ferrets after ten years. Now between the two of you. it's time to find the right lifestyle for him. Ferrets imprint on their food, that's why he is only willing to eat his kibble. He simply doesn't recognize anything else as food. He can be taught to eat properly and that will take some patience, persistence and coaxing to have him trust you and switch his diet over to something that will benefit him. He's had no physical activity and nothing else to do but eat. Ferrets do have a short digestive track. It's only 3-4 hours. It won't be safe for him to go long periods without food, but perhaps he could have less food and eat the smaller amounts more often. He is still very young. Ferrets are fragile and complicated. I'm glad that you rescued him and I'm happy that you are looking for answers. The (not so) little guy needs attention, stimulation and a proper diet. This is not going to be an easy fix, so it's great that you are looking for answers. What has your vet recommended he be fed? What kibble was he eating? Have you given him a name yet? Ferrets are super smart, like a dog or a cat or even a two year old. He will be much happier and learn to trust you, if you work on spending time with him and building a bond with him. He'll need you to teach him how to play and in doing that, he will get some exercise. Do you know anyone else with ferrets? Is this your first experience with a ferret? Please keep us updated and we will happily work with you to get this fuzzy, happy and healthy.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on May 5, 2015 13:36:35 GMT -5
Oh, my...that is huge and very probably obese. Poor wee mite. What is he down to now? It's good that you got him. He'd have eventually eaten himself into his cage. If you can get him onto a more natural diet, he'd loose a lot of the fat and he'd become more muscular. A raw diet does promote lean body mass. How are his stools now, improved any? ciao
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2015 13:38:39 GMT -5
Okay my account finally got approved. Yay! I have owned ferrets for about 5 years, never experienced any problems though, that's why I'm here (: My vet wants him to be switched over to raw, which is why I've been trying to get him to eat crickets and dubia (I breed these so I have an endless supply). He is eating Innova Eva Ferret, I have tried to switch him over to lower calorie or even restricted calorie food, he simply will NOT eat it.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2015 13:39:35 GMT -5
His stools are looking better now. He is drinking a lot more than usual though.
|
|