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Post by elliottsmama on Nov 13, 2020 20:44:36 GMT -5
My 4yr old furball is looking mighty thin, but no change in energy or appetite. If I hold him up to dangle, he has an obvious belly. However, his hips feel incredibly bony and he looks thin when running around. No change in food in years. He's a maniac when he's out and a ball of energy. Is there anything I can add to help chunk him up? My other ferret seems to be a great weight.
Thanks!
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Nov 14, 2020 7:47:32 GMT -5
I would not know as I feed mine raw (assuming your's kibble -fed), but hope you can get some answers here. About the pot belly---does he have hair loss---thinking adrenal maybe?
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Post by elliottsmama on Nov 14, 2020 9:12:53 GMT -5
No hair loss. Normal poop. When I say pot belly, I just mean it goes out and isn't straight.
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Post by Charlie on Nov 14, 2020 21:05:41 GMT -5
What are you feeding your ferret? I'm feeding raw as well. Usually winter months ferrets tend to eat more. I know mine is eating really well!!
Is the pot belly bulging out on both sides or just one? It could be an enlarged spleen? Just a guess.
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Post by elliottsmama on Nov 15, 2020 11:02:39 GMT -5
I want to clarify again about his belly. It's not abnormal large. I pointed it out to say that looks normal, but his hips and backbone are more my concern. I just weighed him and he's 2.6lbs if I trust the scale. They eat Wellness Core cat good. They were raw for 2yrs, but were getting more and more picky and only eating liver and chicken wings, and leaving everything else.
I'll try to add some pics.
Thanks!
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Post by elliottsmama on Nov 15, 2020 11:07:03 GMT -5
I can't figure out how to add pics.
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Post by Corvidophile on Nov 15, 2020 12:07:03 GMT -5
Try uploading to this site and using the provided BBcode: imgbb.com/
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Post by Charlie on Nov 15, 2020 17:58:52 GMT -5
Ok, glad that his belly isn't abnormally large. Does he have normal stool like your other ferret? Maybe he's not absorbing nutrients as well? I'm not sure really since I'm not a vet. I'm not sure if there is anything like a vitamin/mineral supplement to give either other then the Marshall's ferret one that isn't good for them.
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Post by elliottsmama on Nov 15, 2020 20:19:51 GMT -5
Totally normal poop, energy, appetite, etc. Seems to be a decent weight. Just more bony than usual, mostly around his hips.
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Post by elliottsmama on Nov 15, 2020 20:29:25 GMT -5
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Nov 16, 2020 15:36:27 GMT -5
Yes, got pic. I wished my boy weighed 2.6. Mine is 2 lbs and has weighed slightly less inthe past. But I feed mostly rat, mice and guinea pig and asf rats---and occasional quail
did your boy weighed significantly more on raw? I do not know much about the belly shape and what it means.
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Post by Charlie on Nov 16, 2020 19:34:29 GMT -5
I weighed my ferret just a few days ago and he weighed 2 lbs. 14 oz. At one point I thought he had bony hips too but thought that maybe I was being to critical.
Looking at your pictures, he seems to look ok.
Maybe a vet visit?
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Post by elliottsmama on Nov 21, 2020 14:25:24 GMT -5
He seems to be chunking up. His hips don't feel as bony. But I'll keep an eye out.
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Post by Charlie on Nov 22, 2020 14:18:43 GMT -5
Oh that's good to hear!
I weighed my ferret again maybe a day ago and he is now at 3 lbs. His winter coat is soft and fluffy and he is eating way better and eating all his food rather then leaving any leftovers.
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