|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2015 21:10:32 GMT -5
I'm not sure that my little Slink here has IBD, though the vet thinks she might. She gets diarrhea anytime something in her life changes. When we move, when I take her outside, when she eats too fast, doesn't eat enough. We've given her antibiotics before and they've worked for a time. It comes and goes, but overall her health is fine. I go to the number one recommended ferret vet in Colorado and he hasn't been concerned. So I keep her hydrated and she's been overall happy and healthy. Over the last year or so she's aged a lot, and the past six months she's aged really fast. She hobbles around, kinda clumsy. She's lost weight. She's tired and her toes are crooked and uncomfortable. I don't know how old she really is, because her previous owner didn't know. She's been with me for close to 5 years. This is what her teeth look like. And she's missing some of the tiny ones in the front. Maybe you can tell me?  In the past I've blended her kibble and mixed it with water to help her eat. Then for the past month or so I've been transitioning her to soup. Well she likes the soup okay, but as soon as I take the kibble away completely, she starts poopin green and often. More often then usual, which scares me. As soon as the kibble is brought back, her poops return to normal. It could be a protein sensitivity, in which case I can try and get her on lamb. I started the switch for all my ferrets, because I wanted to do what was best for them. For Slinky especially I thought it would perk her up, give her something easy to eat and give her a longer life span. But now I'm wondering if it was a good idea to transition her at all? And I guess I'd like to ask you all what you think on the matter? I don't know how much longer I have with Slinky. I want her to be comfortable and happy while she's here. But instead, I've been making her sick, making her eat food she doesn't want to eat, and probably stressing her out. Should I keep trying to get her on raw? Is it worth it at this point with her being so old? The boys I'm planning to continue to switch either way, they are younger and handling the transition a lot better. I just don't know about Slinky. Any thoughts? |
|
|
|
Post by RedSky on Jun 16, 2015 6:00:35 GMT -5
I'm a little worried about the wobbling around part. I'd have her blood glucose checked.
How long did you remove the kibble for? With IBD problems there could be an initial flare up with removing kibble but it could be all gone within a week. Of course we don't want her to be in pain, have an upset stomach or risk any problems but IMO I'd try to stay the course for a few days and see if it gets any better. From your description it sounds like she is fine with the raw soupie but not one kibble is removed completely. I'd guess from that that she doesn't have an issue with the protein source but it might be worth trying a different one after a week of getting no where with improving stools on the current one. Be warned that changing the protein could cause a flare up especially if she isn't that keen on the new meat.
At the end of the day it's your choice, and you have to do what you think is best for her. This is only what I would try in your situation based on the post and the way I have interoperated it. I don't know her or how she's acting while having these stools.
|
|
|
|
Post by unclejoe on Jun 16, 2015 6:54:59 GMT -5
Personally, I'd keep feeding her what she'll eat and that she can digest, if the soups don't work out. If she seems healthy and she's probably at least 6-7, I'd just let her go with kibble and a bowl of soup daily. At least she'll be getting that extra protein. Sometimes, but certainly not always, older ones are harder to switch anyway, after they've been on the same food for years.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jeremy's Boggle on Jun 16, 2015 7:16:32 GMT -5
I have switched several older ferrets. I feel like they are/were better off on the raw. If she does have IBD then I'd pull all chicken out of her diet. Mine currently eat quail, turkey & tripe which my IBD boys are responding well to. Having her blood glucose checked would be a good idea. A small dose of pred will help both bg & IBD.
|
|
|
|
Post by RedSky on Jun 16, 2015 7:33:12 GMT -5
Tripe did help my dog that seemed to have IBD. I personally wont have the stuff in the house so fed him it outside (not that he minded). Might be worth a try if you can get a tiny bit. A lot of ferrets turn their nose up at it though.
I wonder if they are similar to us in that taking things to help with digestion can help prevent episodes. Maybe something like kefir could help? The good bacteria breaks down and uses up most if not all of the lactose, I think I've seen others post they fed a tiny bit to their ferrets after a course of antibiotics but I've never fed it to the ferrets. Might be worth looking into.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jeremy's Boggle on Jun 16, 2015 8:16:49 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Jun 16, 2015 11:18:42 GMT -5
I switched what I believed to be a dying ferret....she had a wonderful, amazing extra 18 months. Her coat got soft, she puttered around, her stools were better. I would be getting a BG done on your wee one. If she has insulinoma, this could be the issue for a lot of your problems. Untreated insulinoma ages them horribly and makes them feel so sick....treated these ferrets get a new lease on life. IBD is often treated with pred as well so you may find some solutions if you start working on this angle.
ciao
|
|
|
|
Post by unclejoe on Jun 16, 2015 12:28:26 GMT -5
I can't argue with getting a BG test done. I just figured it had been, based on the fact that Slink has been prescribed antibiotics, so had been to a vet. It seems like something in the new diet is causing digestive issues. I also didn't say it was impossible to switch an older ferret, but is it worth making her sick?
Lastly, I would also suggest that the toe curling is a sign of discomfort or pain. Definitely a good idea to see a vet again. Have those teeth examined. If the pulp is aexposed in a broken tooth, that could be very painful and possibly lead to a serious infection, cf: Poppy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2015 11:40:38 GMT -5
I've had her BG tested three times, the most recent in March, but I'm planning on taking them to vet next week, so I can get it checked again.
Trust me I take them to the vet and discuss all these things. The curled toes, the teeth, Her clumsyness, and of course the poops. And the vets check her, and they can't find anything. I don't think she's dying, I just think she's old.
And I want her senior years to as comfortable as possible. If switching will make her comfortable then I will do what I can. The reason I'm hesitant is because the severity of the reaction once the kibble's taken away. Explosive green poops every twenty minutes, is really alarming.
But like I said I'm taking them to the vet, so I'll ask them what they think should be done.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Jun 22, 2015 11:22:15 GMT -5
Adrenal is also a big possibility given she is older.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 12:58:12 GMT -5
So went to the vet and forked over a bunch of money, ouch! but here's what we know.
She does not have adrenal.
Her curled toes are due to arthritis.
We'll know the results by tomorrow if she has insulanoma, vet doubts it.
Vet thinks she's just not able to handle the bacteria on the raw meat. She's always had a sensitive tummy. She's used to kibble and her tummy can handle it, but the bacteria on raw meat exacerbates her tummy troubles.
He strongly suggests returning her to kibble, it could be dangerous to continue her on raw not to mention uncomfortable. So I'm done trying to experiment with her. While I think going raw is great for most ferrets, I have to keep my mind open to the fact that it might not be great for every ferret.
My other ferrets are doing great on raw, so he says that's fine as long as I'm careful and make sure they get the nutrition they need.
So there's the update if you were curious. Thanks for your words of advice.
|
|
|
|
Post by raynebc on Jun 22, 2015 14:16:37 GMT -5
I know Wysong makes a supplement that is meant to replace nutrients lost due to cooking a carnivore's food, maybe there's a suitable cooked meat diet that can be pursued? You'd have to remove the bone of course, but that could be replaced with bone meal.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2015 7:24:31 GMT -5
I honestly would not switch her at this point. Good for you for switching your younger ones, but I feel that it might just be a double-edged sword. There's the possibility that she may feel better from it, but there's evidence already that it makes her feel worse. It's probably going to for weeks, if not months, until she's used to it. I don't mean to sound cruel, by the way... Maybe try supplementing soups with kibble? But take away kibble for a few hours before giving soups if bacteria is the issue here.
Any other news?
|
|
|
|
Post by msav on Jun 23, 2015 9:54:09 GMT -5
I would try switching her to cooked meat before putting her back on kibble (if bacteria is a concern) see if that helps. That would rule out bacteria if it persists.
I would say she probably has an allergic reaction to a protein or something in the meat (antibiotics, and/or hormones rather than bacteria in the meat).
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2015 20:23:45 GMT -5
Got the results, she does not have insulanoma! Woot! (dance)
She does have a high white blood cell count which could suggest a bacterial infection. The vet and I agree it's a good idea to keep and eye on her, and if she seems to be getting worse, we'll treat her with antibiotics or have another blood test done to see if anything changes.
So far since going back on kibble, she's gained some weight, and has been running up and down the stairs, so she's seems to be doing pretty good?
Vet doesn't think it's a good idea to try and feed her raw at this point. And neither do I. I know my ferret, I've seen her get get sick a couple times before, but never have I seen her get that sick. I'm open minded enough to accept that feeding your ferrets raw is probably the best thing for them, but I'm also open minded enough to know that there are variables in everything.
I don't think it's ethical to experiment with her diet at this point. It's stressful for her.
Before I was uncertain, but I talked to not one, but two vets, and I'm going to go with their advice and my instinct.
|
|
