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Post by Celene on Oct 29, 2016 23:45:00 GMT -5
Btw, just to clarify, is Wednesday's meal actual bone-in lamb, or is it lamb with bonemeal powder?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 23:47:09 GMT -5
It was actual bone-in, so they weren't able to eat the bone
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 0:16:21 GMT -5
Okay, so I have ground (muscle), ground whole rabbit (muscle, bone, organ), and bone-in chunks (bone-in, possible organ). Is there a combination of them I can use as a complete menu for (hopefully not) a week to get the stubborn ones to eat rabbit, but not deplete the others of balance? Or would it be best to quarantine the ones that are holding out longer...
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Post by Celene on Oct 30, 2016 10:49:36 GMT -5
To introduce rabbit I'd start with the ground muscle. Mix in or top with some salmon oil and/or egg and feed it in place of a muscle meal, or add bone meal (1/2 tsp per 8 oz) and feed in place of a bone-in meal. Once they are all eating the rabbit fine, you can move onto the chunks and whole grind. Then once they are good with rabbit you can introduce quail, then the mice
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 12:21:28 GMT -5
Booker finally ended up eating the rabbit yesterday! He held out for a really long time. I gave them a break from rabbit for an organs meal, then the adults rabbit once more and the kits got some quail that they loved immediately. They definitely like the smaller bones! I also didn't hear from the vet on Monday, surprise surprise. Nothing until I called them yesterday. They had just gotten the implant, so I have an appointment on Monday morning. They want to put her to sleep for the implant, which I'm kind of weary about. On one hand, Koi is extremely squirmy, and I'd rather the vet is able to put it in properly and not hit her spine or something. On the other hand, there's always the chance of a dosage problem with the anesthetic. :/
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 13:24:58 GMT -5
I let everyone out this morning so they have a chance to play before I go to work, and Booker decided to check out what the kits were eating. He saw one of the kits with a quail ribcage and went full into ears closed, eyes closed, bliss eating right after sniffing it. So he likes poultry. Confirmed.
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Post by Celene on Nov 5, 2016 16:17:29 GMT -5
Glad to hear everyone is taking to the new proteins!
Honestly, putting a ferret to sleep (even a squirmy one) for the implant is completely unnecessary. It isn't any more difficult/invasive than a vaccination, except that the needle is a little wider.
When we had Ziggy implanted he was super irate due to the vet insisting on sticking a thermometer up his bum before the implant (we had just got him and he had been abused, so he was very bite-y and high energy) and still had no problem. Of course, if that's how they insist on doing it then you don't have much choice in the matter.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2016 3:34:41 GMT -5
I'm definitely going to ask about just holding her for the implant. A salmon oil distraction should be more than enough. I'm more worried about how the anesthetic will effect her since she's already not feeling well.
Booker definitely loves poultry! I tried duck chunks and it was the same thing, he was the first to dig in immediately. I also tried some mice with the kits and they were weary, but soon enough devoured a full mouse each! I'm thinking about doing just whole prey for them to make sure the ratios are right for their growth. Not sure though...
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Post by Celene on Nov 7, 2016 8:22:28 GMT -5
Yay Booker! If you do intend to feed exclusively whole prey to the kits, it is important to remember to still feed at least 4 different proteins each week. Additionally, the "babies" of many whole prey are considered treats only as their bones have not yet hardened (lower in calcium) and their organ to muscle meat ratio may be off. When you get a chance, please post your menu for this week with all your new proteins.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2016 7:33:49 GMT -5
Sorry, I've had a busy week with working and cleaning. Koi did well with the implant and sedation, I didn't have a choice since that's their policy. She's still lethargic, but seems to be feeling better in general. I should have time to post the menu later today or tomorrow.
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Post by Celene on Nov 13, 2016 19:43:01 GMT -5
I'm glad to hear the implant went well, can't wait to see your menu!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 6:24:27 GMT -5
Weight updates for revolution, because the first vet missed ear mites and now they all have them. Dexter 1350 (+515g) Ciel 1180 (-5g) Axel 1160 (+480g) Aya 830 (+210g) Koi 840 (+10g) Booker 1100 (+10g) Pocky 700 (-100g)(I think she has bacterial overload, giving her probiotics and if it doesn't get better by Wed, I'll vet her.) The kits certainly bulked up for the winter, almost doubled in size. Dexter is all muscle. I believe I read that they gain a ton for the winter, then drop it off during their rut? Just making sure it's all good I also recall that olive oil was okay for cleaning ears... (pretty sure it was according to Sherry). Would olive oil plus Revolution be enough for mites?
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Post by Celene on Nov 15, 2016 22:30:37 GMT -5
That sucks that your vet missed that! Did the vet take a swab and check the ears for mites initially? Ear mites are VERY common in ferrets who've been held outdoors (in a barn, for example). A couple drops of olive in each ear will help, and can be wiped out (gently) with a cotton swab. If you are able to warm the olive oil very slightly they will tolerate it better.
Fixed/mill ferrets can gain/lose up to 30% of their body weight between seasons. Un-fixed ferrets will have even more of a fluctuation. When are you implanting them?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2016 5:07:54 GMT -5
I'm sorry I'm taking so long to get the menu to you. Work has been chaotic and I've been sleeping whenever I'm home. I can get it tomorrow, promise! The vet looked with a scope, but didn't take a swab. And thinking back, she didn't check teeth at all, except Axel because I asked about his tongue. They'll need an appointment before the implant anyway, I'm glad the new vet is thorough, no need for two checkups before the implant. The warm olive oil made it much easier! And the reactions were pretty funny, Booker went straight to the rice dig box. I was reading a lot of threads on here, and I was thinking about getting Aya the implant within a week of going into heat, and letting the boys have a year or so before implanting.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2016 2:13:53 GMT -5
S AM: Duck (bone) S PM: Duck (bone) M AM: Rabbit (bone w/ some organs, looked like liver + kidney, app. 1-2 oz) M PM: Rabbit (bone ^^see above) AND Rabbit (whole) T AM: Duck (bone) T PM: Organs (Heart, liver, kidney - 50:20:30) W AM: Duck (ground muscle) W PM: Venison (muscle) T AM: Organs (^^see above) T PM: Chicken (bone) F AM: Chicken (bone) F PM: Duck (ground muscle w/bone powder) S AM: Venison (muscle) S PM: Organs (^^see above)
It's been bone-heavy because their poops have been extra soft and I'm thinking Ciel and Booker have been eating most of the bone. Update on Pocky: Was looking a little better, starting to think it's a partial blockage based on small watery/mucousy poop (and weight loss egged on by stress of Dexter being a bully?). Tomorrow she'll get pumpkin and if it doesn't come out normal, I'll call the vet before they close.
I think Dexter is starting to rut. No grease/smell, but he's definitely dropped and aggressive, mounting, extremely energetic, etc.
*Edited to add: Any tips on "scruff 'n stuff" method with fdr? Picked up some S&C duck I wanted to try for treats, but it crumbles so easily and rehydrated is too mushy... Maybe rehydrate and dry in a paper towel?
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