|
|
Post by honeybeex44 on Jul 4, 2024 18:06:30 GMT -5
I work at a rescue center, and we have 3 ferrets. When I got there, the ferrets were on pure vida chicken and peas cat food. Of course I wanted to change them over as soon as possible.
I went very slowly and was mixing kibbles, careful to watch for any diarrhea. There didn't seem to be any problems. Recently, we finally got the point where there is enough of the new kibble to switch (very little of the old included anymore), but then our one ferret with insulinoma has been having diarrhea.
I was told that this happens intermittently with him, and the pea and chicken cat food was the only thing that 'didn't give him diarrhea' They also tested his stools and he was clear for all parasites.
He's on Instinct Ultimate Protein Cat Food currently, but the protein is 47%. I wasn't sure if a higher percentage a protein had anything to do with it considering that the pure vida food had 32%. I don't want him struggling with diarrhea, but I definitely don't want to put him back on the old cat food that is horrible for his insulinoma. I can't do a raw diet unfortunately because of the rescues volunteers, safety, and budget restraints. I've tried freeze dried but it is expensive.
The poop is inconsistent, sometimes its very liquid, other times its more formed but still very soft, and it has a very very foul smell. I really need some help, and if it is the protein, is there a lower protein cat food that is still appropriate for him (no peas, low carbs, etc) to mix in with his food now? Any suggestions are welcome, I appreciate it so much
|
|
|
|
Post by Corvidophile on Jul 4, 2024 19:33:21 GMT -5
Usually it’s not gonna be protein percentage that causes diarrhea, it’s higher fat percentage that can set some of them off. Check out the ingredients between them, what’s new in the new food? What’s missing in the old food that is commonly included in others? Could he have an allergy to an ingredient in the new food? Also many kibbles include binding ingredients that swell in the intestines and mask diarrhea that would otherwise be present.
Parasite tests coming clean is good, but what about bacterial and viral things? Heliobacter excess is a very common problem, and unfortunately even after the initial heartburn meds and antibiotics can sometimes come back after treatment stops.
|
|
|
|
Post by honeybeex44 on Jul 4, 2024 19:58:38 GMT -5
Usually it’s not gonna be protein percentage that causes diarrhea, it’s higher fat percentage that can set some of them off. Check out the ingredients between them, what’s new in the new food? What’s missing in the old food that is commonly included in others? Could he have an allergy to an ingredient in the new food? Also many kibbles include binding ingredients that swell in the intestines and mask diarrhea that would otherwise be present. Parasite tests coming clean is good, but what about bacterial and viral things? Heliobacter excess is a very common problem, and unfortunately even after the initial heartburn meds and antibiotics can sometimes come back after treatment stops. Thank you so much. I compared both of the foods, the Pure Vita pea and chicken cat food is 32% protein, 18% cat and 6.5% fiber. The instinct is 47% protein, 17% fat, and 3% fiber. The different ingredients in the instinct (new food) is freeze dried whey, freeze dried pollock, and pumpkin seeds, tapioca, and no chicken meal, just chicken. It is interesting about that binding ingredients, what would some of those be? (If you know!) There was much more fiber in the previous food because it included peas, pea flour, pea fiber, cranberries, apricots, cherries, and carrots. The fat level is actual lower in the new food which is interesting. I can bring him to the vet and see if theres viral/bacterial things, but I guess this has been happening on and off for a while and the only thing that helped it was the Pure Vida Pea cat food |
|
|
|
Post by Corvidophile on Jul 4, 2024 20:13:00 GMT -5
Binders to avoid: Rice, potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, peas, tapioca, beet pulp, soy meal
Binders that are fine to include: gelatin, bone meal, ground feathers
Binders the jury is out on: clay, possibly absorbs nutrients and makes them inaccessible, but doesn’t irritate or cause sugar spikes as it’s not digestible
There are plenty of others, but these are just off the top of my head. It’s possible the peas were enough to slow down the gut’s absorption and mask a problem he has going on. They should still be avoided if at all possible, not just because of the carbs but they cause kidney and bladder stones.
|
|
|
|
Post by honeybeex44 on Jul 4, 2024 20:20:20 GMT -5
Is there any kibble you recommend? I've looked online at multiple kibble charts, and none of them seem like the right fit. The closest I could get was the instinct, but I was iffy about the tapioca as well.
I can get him to the vet and see what else may be going on. He had surgery twice for bladder stones, so I definitely want to stay off that previous food, but I'm not sure what to do at this point.
|
|
|
|
Post by honeybeex44 on Jul 4, 2024 22:17:02 GMT -5
Binders to avoid: Rice, potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, peas, tapioca, beet pulp, soy meal Binders that are fine to include: gelatin, bone meal, ground feathers Binders the jury is out on: clay, possibly absorbs nutrients and makes them inaccessible, but doesn’t irritate or cause sugar spikes as it’s not digestible There are plenty of others, but these are just off the top of my head. It’s possible the peas were enough to slow down the gut’s absorption and mask a problem he has going on. They should still be avoided if at all possible, not just because of the carbs but they cause kidney and bladder stones. Should I go back to the old kibble mixed in to get the diarrhea under control? I don't want it to be long term but I also don't want him having diarrhea every day. |
|
|
|
Post by Corvidophile on Jul 5, 2024 5:27:10 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by silentdook on Jul 5, 2024 10:59:46 GMT -5
Should I go back to the old kibble mixed in to get the diarrhea under control? I don't want it to be long term but I also don't want him having diarrhea every day. Absolutely not. With him already having had bladder stone surgeries, stay away from any type of legume ingredients and even sweet potato (high in phytic acid, which binds minerals together). |
|
|
|
Post by silentdook on Jul 5, 2024 11:19:51 GMT -5
He may be an ECE carrier and sensitive enough that the stress of environmental change and the shelter living sets him off. Before making more food changes, I'd try the probiotic or added powdered eggshell. Instinct Ultimate Protein is truly one of the best kibbles available. The only one I've found better is Totally Ferret, but it's even pricier.
|
|
