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Post by tmiller1295 on Jan 31, 2017 22:38:35 GMT -5
So I was just changing the ferrets litter box and I noticed there was chewed up orange stuff in their poop. I'm pretty positive that it's a nerf gun bullets. One of them loved them so I thought it wouldn't be a problem if they played with them. I have never had a problem with them before when it comes to eating something they shouldn't. So I removed all the bullets and they are all out playing now. So my question is what should I do? I know there is a blockage protocol but I'm not sure if they are okay since it passed in a bowel movement. And since I'm not 100 percent sure who it is , would I do something for all of them ?
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Post by LindaM on Jan 31, 2017 23:08:17 GMT -5
There's been many of us who have fallen for that. Best rule of thumb is: "Never, ever let your ferrets have anything with foam or rubber, period." And never assume that they will never try to eat it either. Sometimes a ferret who has never chewed anything in more than 8 years of life, will suddenly just chew something up and ingest the pieces. And all it takes in one mistake at the end of the day, and the lesson can be very costly.
You can run the Blockage Protocol, it shouldn't do them any harm, but it can definitely help to see if all the pieces are out. Since you have multiple ferrets and not sure who it is, you'll need to run it on all of them. And be prepared to contact an ER vet if any of them throws up during the Protocol.
Protocol: 1st hour, 1tbsp pumpkin 2nd hour, 1tsp vaseline 3rd hour, 1tbsp pumpkin 4th hour, 1tsp vaseline 5th hour, 1tbsp pumpkin
Sometimes it might require another 2 hour run to get the well-formed, orange colored pumpkin only poops, but usually the 5 hours run does the trick.
It may be best if you have some way to separate the ferrets so you can keep an eye on the individual poops and watch if anything is going south with any of them. Good luck and please keep us updated!
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Post by Sherry on Feb 1, 2017 11:49:01 GMT -5
I would definitely be doing a blockage protocol that Linda listed, and add in- if at any time vomiting occurs with this get to a vet for a barium xray and likely blockage surgery. This is not something that can wait and is an emergency.
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Post by tmiller1295 on Feb 1, 2017 12:18:07 GMT -5
So I was informed by my boyfriend that he saw chewed up pieces a few days ago. So this must have not happened last night. I'm pretty sure it's my female Daisy and she hasn't been acting off or anything. I'm currently at work right now and when I checked on her this morning she was drinking water. So when I get home should I still do the protocol ? I did not have any pumpkin to do it with last night. And I found a few poops with the pieces in it.
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Post by Heather on Feb 1, 2017 13:30:10 GMT -5
Most definitely do the protocol. Go out buy the pumpkin and do the complete protocol. I would also go around and search the house to see if she's got a stash of them somewhere. These are very dangerous items for a ferret. Soft rubber, foam are all very bad for ferrets, even ones that don't appear to chew. ciao
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Post by tmiller1295 on Feb 1, 2017 13:57:25 GMT -5
Yeah I took them all out. I will check again in their little hiding places. So if she starts to vomit or not eating then that's when I should take her to the vet ?
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Post by tmiller1295 on Feb 1, 2017 13:59:05 GMT -5
Also she has a bump in her like lower left belly that feels like the size of a quarter. I told my boyfriend I think that she does have a blockage because I could feel that and he said that when we brought her to the vet he did notice that. But my question is what is the bump .. kind of a different topic but now I'm wondering since I felt it.
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Post by LindaM on Feb 1, 2017 14:30:25 GMT -5
If she begins vomiting during the Protocol, it likely means that the blockage has now become a complete blockage and that puts her life in danger. A Barium X-ray will be able to show the blockage, and on some smaller ones it can even help push them through. The X-rays will let your vet know how bad it is and if surgery is needed to remove it (which could be likely at that stage).
Even though it's been days and you've gotten poops with bits, there could still be a floating blockage inside her, and this is why you should still do the Protocol, just to make sure none of it is still remaining inside.
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Post by tmiller1295 on Feb 1, 2017 15:19:08 GMT -5
Okay ! Thank you so much. I just picked up the pumpkin and I will be starting it when I get home. I'm so nervous , I hope she is okay when I get home.
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Post by LindaM on Feb 1, 2017 15:26:49 GMT -5
You're welcome. And it's normal to be nervous, none of us like needing to do something like this, but it must be done. Just try your best to be calm around your ferret during the Protocol. They can pick up on your emotions and you'd have it easier if she is also calm and not being squirrelly from nervousness.
If you're having any troubles with getting her to eat the pumpkin or vaseline, you could warm the pumpkin a little, or add a little drizzle of salmon oil to it, or even use a drizzle of raw egg (if your ferret hasn't maxed out the limits on either of those for the week). Or if it's too thick for her, you can add a little water to thin it out a bit too, just make sure you still use the tablespoon of pumpkin before adding the water to it so you use the correct amount.
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Post by tmiller1295 on Feb 1, 2017 15:31:44 GMT -5
Okay sounds good. I don't know if you saw my other question about the bump? Like I said it is different topic but I was just curious.
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Post by LindaM on Feb 1, 2017 15:55:41 GMT -5
Personally, I haven't yet had to deal with any lumps and bumps on my ferrets. And it could very well be something reasonably minor, or something as malignant as a tumor. So I'm gonna leave that one to some of the others who are more experienced than me and may be able to answer that. Had your vet looked at it at all when your ferret went for their vet visit? Sherry , Heather , unclejoe Any insight?
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Post by tmiller1295 on Feb 1, 2017 16:56:26 GMT -5
Quick question and it might sound stupid but it says the first hour 1 Tbsp of pumpkin. Does she have to eat it all at once or within the hour? I just had her try it she liked it just fine but was done with it half way through.
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Post by LindaM on Feb 1, 2017 17:35:37 GMT -5
You should try getting it in all at once and not very spaced over the hour. It shouldn't be hard, most will lap up the entire tablespoon in a sitting. If she needs a small break to drink some water, definitely let her have it, maybe a few minutes to run around as well and then try again.
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Post by Heather on Feb 1, 2017 23:10:18 GMT -5
If there is a hard lump, she will need to be seen by a vet. At any time during the blockage protocol if your little one starts to vomit or retch, please vet immediately as the floating blockage has become a full blockage and you've only a few hours to get treatment ciao
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