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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2015 9:22:01 GMT -5
So its been a rough couple weeks for me. I just moved and my husband lost his job. Anyways we were really tight on money so I wasnt able to feed my ferrets the complete menu I made with my mentor a couple months ago. Now that we are okay now I went shopping and grabbed everything I could for them I just couldnt find kidney so I did a subsitution and grinded up some heart and liver till the asian store has kidney again. Anyways I fed that last night to my Shelby and Nala. And around 11:50 she started vomitting everywhere. So we let her out of her cage and she was walking around and being curious and she went down stairs like normal. Then we put her back into her cage and 20 minutes later more vomitting. The vomit was light in color and it was chunks of quail that was fed that morningit looked partially digested. She was acting fine all day long and then this happens. She hasnt puked since 12 this morning but I woke up to see if shes okay and shes acting okay just walking around being curious smelling everything going to her usual place to sleep. Anyways shes been drinking a lot of water but refuses to eat egg or quail. Her sister is acting just fine. Shelby also has been shedding all her winter coat even though its still winter here. Any insight? Is it vet time?
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Post by Sherry on Dec 28, 2015 13:04:42 GMT -5
Nutritional deficiencies can take a few months to cause issues(depending) so I'd not worry overly on that one for the shorter term With the vomiting she may have eaten too fast, or even just had a bit of fur in her throat. As she is fine now, I'd just keep an eye on her. For now avoid the quail and egg as she has associated it with being sick. In a week's time try the egg again, but well mixed with some oil to change the taste slightly. You may have to start finger feeding it to her again. Reintroduce the quail in a couple weeks by mixing in a small amount with a favourite meat then slowly increase the ratio.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2015 20:43:28 GMT -5
Nutritional deficiencies can take a few months to cause issues(depending) so I'd not worry overly on that one for the shorter term With the vomiting she may have eaten too fast, or even just had a bit of fur in her throat. As she is fine now, I'd just keep an eye on her. For now avoid the quail and egg as she has associated it with being sick. In a week's time try the egg again, but well mixed with some oil to change the taste slightly. You may have to start finger feeding it to her again. Reintroduce the quail in a couple weeks by mixing in a small amount with a favourite meat then slowly increase the ratio. I just wanted to update that i took her in because she wasnt getting better . So i had them sample her feces and she had a bacterial over growth and i had her ears checked to and the vet thought she had an infection so i got amoxicilin and a antibiotic for her ears. Vet said while on antibiotics she didnt recommend using raw food till she was done with her antibiotics for her tummy. So i am feeding her baby food. Its called beechnut classics beef and beef broth. I didnt like the beef and gravy ingredients because it had way more addedthan i liked.
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Post by unclejoe on Dec 28, 2015 22:14:27 GMT -5
could you give probiotics with the raw? possibly one of the raw ingredients is contaminated causing the overgrowth. if it stays frozen for a couple weeks that could kill any bacteria. at least her sister didn't get sick, but she could still.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 8:49:56 GMT -5
could you give probiotics with the raw? possibly one of the raw ingredients is contaminated causing the overgrowth. if it stays frozen for a couple weeks that could kill any bacteria. at least her sister didn't get sick, but she could still. What kind of probuotics would you recommend with the raw?
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Post by Sherry on Dec 29, 2015 10:56:29 GMT -5
To start, I've not stopped feeding raw with a bacterial overgrowth. They get that no matter what the food they are on. Stress can trigger it to occur. As for probios, many people use kefir. Forti flora is another often used.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 13:41:50 GMT -5
To start, I've not stopped feeding raw with a bacterial overgrowth. They get that no matter what the food they are on. Stress can trigger it to occur. As for probios, many people use kefir. Forti flora is another often used. She told me because its an over growth it wont digest the raw meat correctly and its not good for the ferret. Shelby wont eat baby food so i syringe and scruff her but if you think that feeding raw will be okay with the antibiotics then i will start feeding her her actual food instead of the baby food method. Before you guys get upset with the syringe and scruff method sometimes you have to do what ypu have to do even if they dont like it. Not trying to be rude but my ferret is very important and i will not let her go hungry because she doesnt like something. I am just following vets orders with the baby food instead of regular food.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 13:42:53 GMT -5
Also how long should i use the pro bios? And when should i use them?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 14:30:08 GMT -5
I think a lot of us have done it, particularly when sick and when very stubborn in switching to raw.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 15:12:40 GMT -5
I think a lot of us have done it, particularly when sick and when very stubborn in switching to raw. I grew up on a farm and i used to tube calves and goats and horses. And i have had people freak out on me for doing so i just want to make sure that i dont get yelled at for this Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
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Post by Sherry on Dec 30, 2015 10:54:19 GMT -5
I've often syringe fed when necessary. I've done it with my cats as well. As for the raw not "digesting" properly, all food digests the same. I think your vet's concern would be more that of someone not overly familiar with raw and is worried about bacteria(which for a carnivore ISN'T actually a concern. Stomach acids are still just as strong).
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Post by unclejoe on Dec 31, 2015 7:38:09 GMT -5
Sorry, but I'm re-thinking probiotics. You're dealing with an overgrowth. Being on antibiotics for more than 10 days can reduce the useful bacteria in the gut which can cause digestive issues. If you don't know which bacteria are causing the problem, it might be better not to introduce more in the form of probiotics, until the meds are done.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2015 20:52:02 GMT -5
She is only on it for 7 days. She has some weird poops on it too!! But shes so much better and she hasnt scratched at her ears either which is great. I have another vet appointment next thursday to get distemper shots. That gives 4 days after shelby is done with her antibiotics.
I had a vet tell me when i first got shelby that the distemper vaccine doesnt work. So i beleived her. Then i started thinking and i did my research and the distemper vaccine has pretty good titers so i have the money i want to get them both vaccinated so i dont have to worry about it. I feel pretty cheated that i was missed informed. That put my ferrets in danger.
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Post by Heather on Dec 31, 2015 22:51:41 GMT -5
Do not vaccinate your ferret until you're sure she's healthy. Never vaccinate a sick ferret ciao
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2015 23:53:56 GMT -5
I know that. I asked the front desk woman and she said if the vet feels that its not safe to vaccinate shelby she wont. Because i asked if it would be an issue since her anitbiotics would be done that monday. She said that if the vet didnt feel she was healthy or if it was too close she wouldnt vaccinate her. The vet is a certified exotic pet vet from Dublin Animal Hospital. They are very reputible.
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