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Post by LindaM on Oct 4, 2017 15:13:22 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the thing is that while some of the vets may have long-standing experience working with ferrets, some of them don't keep up to date on methods and research, just like Heather had mentioned. Which can be dangerous and sometimes fatal. I'm not gonna lie or sugarcoat it.. considering your ferrets received both vaccines at once, and were sick too, you are pretty blessed that neither had a life-threatening reaction. And even when some vets are prepared to respond to reactions like anaphylactic shock and the like while you're there waiting and it occurs, they sometimes still cannot save the animal in the end. It's a risk we all fear, and some ferrents will even never vaccinate due to the risk being so big and ever present. Now, Heather also posted a very lovely explanation on why one doesn't vaccinate a sick animal in another thread, and that is just common sense, across any species as well. I'm gonna link to it below, and while we were discussing more serious illnesses, the same factors are still there when an animal is ill on a lesser level too. holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/23611/adrenal-insulinoma-vaccinationNow, looking at a personal level to this, it could be she was really distracted as you mentioned she'd dealing with personal family issues.. but it could have risked the lives of your ferrets nonetheless. So I might ask her why she decided to vaccinate them for both at once when it's recommended not wait between vaccines and while one shouldn't ever vaccinate an animal while it is ill. Like I said, it may simply not have crossed her mind at the time, or she may genuinely believe it's alright to practice both methods. That said, I'm not trying to make any decisions for you, but just pointing out the danger of an event like this, and then I know in the future, you will also know what to expect should you get another fuzzy to add to your business. It's all part of the learning process after all. Doing the Titer Testing is a good idea, it's costly, but it's a much better idea than just vaccinating all willy-nilly as some people do. Any idea on how they did with the fish?
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stacylo
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 225
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Post by stacylo on Oct 4, 2017 18:06:49 GMT -5
All I can say is, the good news is they're ok, and I guess I need a new vet. I'm trying to do my best by these boys, but honestly, I feel like I keep coming up short. I don't mean to interrupt your thread but I just wanted to say that you're not alone in this feeling right now at all. I too feel like I'm trying my best and am constantly drowning. Or have one moment of relief and four moments of worrying and stressing. Before this ferrent journey I was working 50 hour work weeks and attending full time graduate school and got married and I feel like this first 32 days of being a ferrent have been more stressful than all those things combined. It's a profound sense of urgency that I've never felt before. Probably because not only are these my first ferrets but my first pets. And I love them so much and I enjoy every moment of laughter and silliness. Their sass and clumsiness. Their stubborn testing of the waters and me struggling to be the boss and the nurturer. I haven't posted much on here about the good times because I've been trying to save all my posting for the things that are so concerning and troublesome. But then the other day I walked into a pet store that I haven't been in for several months and looked at their ferrets (I decided not to snuggle them because I didn't want to bring something back to my already sick fuzzies) and just looking at them I could notice how much more I know about ferrets than I knew a month ago. And what a gift that will be for the next fuzzies that join our family (not any time soon because boy oh boy do I have my hands full with two!). It gave me some room to be grateful for the steep learning curve. I felt like I had done the most research of anyone I have ever known before adding an animal to one's family and yet I feel like I know absolutely nothing. You will get through this phase. We will get through this phase. One day, one decision, one mistake, one good moment at a time.
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Kaitlyn
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Post by Kaitlyn on Oct 5, 2017 6:57:27 GMT -5
I'll take this all into consideration and do some more research. I appreciate you all I really do.
Boys are doing fine, eating ravenously, and snuggling with one another this morning. I'm about to have to up the amount of food they're being given. The last few days giving 6 oz has lead to a clean bowl.
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Post by LindaM on Oct 5, 2017 15:02:33 GMT -5
You're welcome dear. I hope I haven't scared you off or anything. We're just here to help educate and navigate the often rough seas that come with having fuzzies. In the time I have owned mine, I have really come under the mindset that as much help as I can receive with when things get confusing or hard, the better. That saying of "it takes a village" .. well, with ferrets it might be true sometimes. We ferrents need to stick together. Hmm.. sounds like the joys of winter. Everyone is currently eat me and hubby out of house and home. I've actually come up TWICE were I misjudged my monthly inventory. I need to do a BIG stock up as soon as finances allow it. And this is for fuzzards and cat... all of who seem set upon stuffing their little gobs until they explode right now. Have you guys been able to find/try any turkey bone-in like necks or wig-tips or the like?
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Post by Aftershock on Oct 6, 2017 18:52:56 GMT -5
Hey, I'm a Mentor in Training and I learn something new about ferrets at least every other day the info we give is never to make you feel bad, it's only ever to help you. I second Linda- sounds like winter. My three are up to 8.5oz right now and it keeps going slowly up lol
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Kaitlyn
Junior Member
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Post by Kaitlyn on Oct 9, 2017 10:52:19 GMT -5
Hey all! Sorry for falling off the face of the planet. I had the dog show this weekend. It wasn't a total disaster, we came home with ribbons, but it wasn't fabulous either. My mentor met the boys over the weekend and asked if she thinks I could sneak one in the chi ring at a show for a laugh. I told her no, but it would be funny. Got up this morning and rushed our senior dog to the vet, only to find out, she has lymphoma, and weeks to live. So it's been a rough ride. The boys are eating closer to 12oz a day right now, they're like black holes. No turkey necks, but since I'm off today, (I took off, I'm no use at the office with random break downs), I'll go get some for the ferrets and the dogs. Our girl, Tilly, isn't eating and the vet said anything she wants, she gets. So I'm going to try and tempt her with a raw turkey neck. They're off the medication, diarrhea is gone, they don't smell as strongly, and their coats are getting so much glossier and beautiful. I thought Ratchet was a champagne, but his coat is now coming in much darker, so I'm thinking he's actually a chocolate.
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Post by Aftershock on Oct 9, 2017 12:26:42 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear about that. Lymphoma is such a horrid cancer. *hug* If you want to chat or vent about the whole thing you are welcome to message me<3 Do you mind me asking what your weekly menu looks like for the boys right now?
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Kaitlyn
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Post by Kaitlyn on Oct 9, 2017 12:53:12 GMT -5
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/188mirzToftP_mBktPRP68iWY-XXoYmnFZwmvhnkvI98/edit?usp=drivesdk
Pretty close to this, there's a list of the proteins I still need to add, but once they taste something, so far they've been gobbling it up.
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Post by LindaM on Oct 9, 2017 13:23:30 GMT -5
Hey hon! Good to hear you're doing okay, well, physically at least. We will pray for strength and peace of mind for you guys during this very rough time, give the wee pup a kiss from us. Lymphoma, as all cancers, is a horrid thing to deal with. I am so, so sorry that this has happened. Like Kelsey has offered, I too am available to message if you wish to just rage or get some feelings out about life in general right now. I am glad to hear that the boys are doing good. You should keep an eye on their coats when the seasons change, it's a very interesting event. Some ferrets can end up with a full mask when they usually only have a half, and vice versa. Coats will darken or lighten too. I love seeing how my lot change in the seasons, other than wee Athena, poor 'bino will always look just like a 'bino (other than when she looks like an egg from oil production), LOL! Let us know how they take to the turkey necks if you can find any! <3
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Kaitlyn
Junior Member
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Post by Kaitlyn on Oct 9, 2017 20:29:28 GMT -5
The boys fell on those necks like lumberjacks. I don't think there's going to be an issue getting them to eat them. Morning will tell us for sure, but I'm pretty sure they're currently stuffing their faces.
Thank you. I'll take you up on that. We're in shock, and pretty devastated. She is first pet together.
I'm loving the coat changes in Ratchet. He's so dark an handsome. Paint is a bino too, and he's just getting fluffier and fatter. It's great to see them so healthy.
Edit: Yeah, turkey necks were demolished this morning.
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Kaitlyn
Junior Member
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Posts: 170
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Post by Kaitlyn on Oct 11, 2017 9:33:42 GMT -5
So, I guess my question now, is where do I go from here?
They're eating anything I give them (salmon oil excluded), and while I have a few proteins left to add, they're eating the posted menu.
I'd love to start adding some whole prey to their menu to make up for the lack of commercial meat variety.
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Post by LindaM on Oct 11, 2017 23:10:09 GMT -5
Well, there's two things that can happen now. You can continue to wait for a mentor to help you with whole prey, in which time you can try starting to introduce it while waiting. Or you can graduate as a raw feeder for now, and wait for a mentor to become available to help with the whole prey, if you provide your menu on here so one of the admins like Sherry or Heather can take a look and see if you are ready to graduate. Usually, you'd get another pop quiz too, just to double check your knowledge on certain things.
You can post your menu on here. Please do it in the usual weekly form, eg: Monday AM: Chicken Wing (Bone-In) Monday PM: Hearts Tuesday AM: Turkey Neck (Bone-In) Tuesday PM: Venison (Muscle) ....
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Kaitlyn
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Post by Kaitlyn on Oct 12, 2017 7:20:46 GMT -5
Sounds good. I think I'll wait on the whole prey until I get a mentor. I have a lot going on right now, and am fine waiting awhile on that.
Here is their menu, I'd put amounts, but I'm trying to figure out how much to give right now, they're currently eating closer to 12 - 15oz a day. I'm assuming it's for winter because Paint especially is getting to be a chunk!
Sunday AM: Chicken Wings (Bone-In) Sunday PM: 1/2 Liver & 1/2 Other Organ (Kidney, Spleen or Pancreas) Monday AM: Pork tail & Pork (Bone-In) Monday PM: Frog Legs or Fish (Bone-In or Muscle) Tuesday AM: Turkey Neck (Bone-In) Tuesday PM: Lamb (Muscle) Wednesday AM: Chicken Wings (Bone-In) Wednesday PM: Hearts Thursday AM: Pork tail & Pork (Bone-In) Thursday PM: Frog Legs or Lamb (Bone-In or Muscle) Friday AM: Turkey Neck (Bone-In) Friday PM: 1/2 heart, 1/4 liver, 1/4 Other organ (Pancreas, Spleen, or Kidney) Saturday AM: Chicken Wings (Bone-In) Saturday PM: Beef (Muscle)
They also get 1 egg added to a meal a week. So far, they will not eat salmon oil.
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Post by Aftershock on Oct 12, 2017 11:48:04 GMT -5
How much of the pork tail bone are they eating?
Also- a couple of tips; Turkey neck tends to be low in the meat ratio so I would suggest serving a muscle meat with it to balance it out. I also personally push for taking apart whole chickens and rotating through the different cuts because they vary in nutrients AND it's cheaper.
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Kaitlyn
Junior Member
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Posts: 170
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Post by Kaitlyn on Oct 12, 2017 12:56:49 GMT -5
They eat almost all of it. There are a few of the bigger bones near the base they don't eat. But it's only 2 or 3.
I'll add some meat to the turkey neck meals. And what cuts of chicken do you do?
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