Post by Heather on Dec 25, 2017 19:28:39 GMT -5
Name: Gina Grgat
HF Forum Username: Gg
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: I am.
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
When my first one, Appa, had an insulinoma scare a few years ago, it lead me to investigate and stumble on to some knowledge. It turned out to be a blockage that we fixed with pumpkin.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I want both my fuzzier to be on a raw diet. I don’t want any kibble and have already taken it away. They’re on the first stage of soup.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
So they can live happier and longer lives
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
Yes! Now is the perfect time!
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? If so, what medications are they currently on? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I have two ferrets! Momo is a little over 5 years old, male, diagnosed with insulinoma almost a week ago although knowing the signs now, I’m afraid he’s had it for way longer than just a week. He was prescribed 2 ml of clavamox two times daily for 2 weeks.
Prednisone 1/4 of a 5mg tablet twice daily for the rest of his life.
He weighs 793 grams. I’ve had him for 5 years. Before, I got him at petco at only 5 months.
Appa is almost 5. Also male.
He’s always been a chewer and can’t have any fabric. He’s usually on the chunkier side although since he’s been on strike during this whole switch, he’s lost some weight and is now at 952 grams. Got him from craigslist but both ferrets are from a Marshall mill.
Update: We just got back home from a vet visit with Appa (Nov 2nd) who decided he was going to chew a hole through my mattress. He ate very small mattress fibers but it was enough to make him paw at his mouth and and arch his back. I don’t have pumpkin but I did have ferret lax. I would never use this now knowing that it contains chemicals but I was desperate. When I gave him a small amount, he gagged and looked like he wanted to throw it back up. He sunk onto the ground and lay flat for a few seconds, dazing. I rushed him to my vet and they felt him, said he should be okay since it was a small amount and prescribed him Carafate Susp to take twice daily, 0.5 mls for a week.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
They were on Marshalls ferret food up until a couple years ago when I learned that there are bad things in kibble. They were fed blue buffalo kitten kibble for a while, then origin for the remaining time until a week and a half ago. Now they get raw soup mix. I usually feed them a blend of heart/gizzard/liver, chicken neck/leg/thigh, eggshell powder, and once a while raw egg yolks. I couldn’t find rabbit meat but I got rabbit pattys that contained what looked like a great list of ingredients. Also got some samples of Radcat Raw meat mix to try out, which contains a lot of blood and chunks.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, the rawest it got was egg yolks and freeze dried chicken hearts.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share? They were free range ferrets in my room up until today when Appa started chewing my mattress. They both have been switching over slowly. Appa refused the soup unless it was from a syringe. I don’t have to scruff them when they get syringe fed. I think Appa likes the taste in smaller doses and seems to like to not get wet… Momo will drink the soup and loves the syringe but I think he just wants to play with it!
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
If I’m home, always!
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). My internet on my phone isn't working well. When I'm able, I'll post the pictures to facebook and share the link!
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
yes to weigh the soup. The ferrets are a little too big for it but I can get a guestimation with it. I’ll be reading the comments section for recommendations!
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
almost on the right number of posts!
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Definitely! This is why I am coming to you guys! I don’t have a normal job at the moment which is why I have a lot of time to switch them over to raw but on the other side of the coin, the expenses of future surgeries and such are going to be hard to gather. I have invested in the best ferret diet 101 package other than a mortar and pestle!
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (FireAngel), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun. Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
HF Forum Username: Gg
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: I am.
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
When my first one, Appa, had an insulinoma scare a few years ago, it lead me to investigate and stumble on to some knowledge. It turned out to be a blockage that we fixed with pumpkin.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I want both my fuzzier to be on a raw diet. I don’t want any kibble and have already taken it away. They’re on the first stage of soup.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
So they can live happier and longer lives
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
Yes! Now is the perfect time!
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? If so, what medications are they currently on? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I have two ferrets! Momo is a little over 5 years old, male, diagnosed with insulinoma almost a week ago although knowing the signs now, I’m afraid he’s had it for way longer than just a week. He was prescribed 2 ml of clavamox two times daily for 2 weeks.
Prednisone 1/4 of a 5mg tablet twice daily for the rest of his life.
He weighs 793 grams. I’ve had him for 5 years. Before, I got him at petco at only 5 months.
Appa is almost 5. Also male.
He’s always been a chewer and can’t have any fabric. He’s usually on the chunkier side although since he’s been on strike during this whole switch, he’s lost some weight and is now at 952 grams. Got him from craigslist but both ferrets are from a Marshall mill.
Update: We just got back home from a vet visit with Appa (Nov 2nd) who decided he was going to chew a hole through my mattress. He ate very small mattress fibers but it was enough to make him paw at his mouth and and arch his back. I don’t have pumpkin but I did have ferret lax. I would never use this now knowing that it contains chemicals but I was desperate. When I gave him a small amount, he gagged and looked like he wanted to throw it back up. He sunk onto the ground and lay flat for a few seconds, dazing. I rushed him to my vet and they felt him, said he should be okay since it was a small amount and prescribed him Carafate Susp to take twice daily, 0.5 mls for a week.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
They were on Marshalls ferret food up until a couple years ago when I learned that there are bad things in kibble. They were fed blue buffalo kitten kibble for a while, then origin for the remaining time until a week and a half ago. Now they get raw soup mix. I usually feed them a blend of heart/gizzard/liver, chicken neck/leg/thigh, eggshell powder, and once a while raw egg yolks. I couldn’t find rabbit meat but I got rabbit pattys that contained what looked like a great list of ingredients. Also got some samples of Radcat Raw meat mix to try out, which contains a lot of blood and chunks.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, the rawest it got was egg yolks and freeze dried chicken hearts.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share? They were free range ferrets in my room up until today when Appa started chewing my mattress. They both have been switching over slowly. Appa refused the soup unless it was from a syringe. I don’t have to scruff them when they get syringe fed. I think Appa likes the taste in smaller doses and seems to like to not get wet… Momo will drink the soup and loves the syringe but I think he just wants to play with it!
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
If I’m home, always!
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). My internet on my phone isn't working well. When I'm able, I'll post the pictures to facebook and share the link!
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
yes to weigh the soup. The ferrets are a little too big for it but I can get a guestimation with it. I’ll be reading the comments section for recommendations!
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
almost on the right number of posts!
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Definitely! This is why I am coming to you guys! I don’t have a normal job at the moment which is why I have a lot of time to switch them over to raw but on the other side of the coin, the expenses of future surgeries and such are going to be hard to gather. I have invested in the best ferret diet 101 package other than a mortar and pestle!
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (FireAngel), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun. Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao