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Post by trippyferret on Jul 21, 2011 18:04:52 GMT -5
Do you think that stress could cause them to have an early shed? It seems like the three of them are still losing hair, but their coats are looking fuller. Except on their tails, they all have rat tail still. Looking back at those pictures, I'd say there is definitely a difference. Penny is the only one who has been unaffected and doesn't seem to be losing any hair, however her coat is looking fluffier too. It's unusual for them to be shedding this time of year, so I'm thinking maybe stress triggered it, but I don't even know if that's possible. lol! I mean, I could see it causing them to lose some hair, but not go into a full on shed! But anyways, we're pretty much there with the raw diet. Gwen still doesn't eat beef, but eats everything else, and Penny and the others eat everything. So... if I could just get Gwen on beef, we'll be good to go! Either that or I will find some other meat she likes and we'll be done! Woot!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2011 20:14:48 GMT -5
I don't know ... this year seems to be a year of long-drawn shedding - I know ALL my guys are still shedding a pretty good amount, too. But yes, stress can cause hair loss, as well. Now that we're almost there with the diet, let me ask you: is Gwen eating 3 different proteins now? Or is the beef going to be the 3rd? Also, start drawing up a tentative menu M - S specifying protein source and what kind (rmb, boneless, etc). You don't have to post it now if you don't want (we can wait til Gwen's either eating the beef or on something else), but this way when that occurs, you'll have it ready for review YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY \o/ YOU'RE ALMOST DONE!
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Post by trippyferret on Jul 22, 2011 9:53:27 GMT -5
Yes, she eats chicken, pork, cgh, quail, and rabbit. They don't always get quail and rabbit because it's so pricey but she still gets at least 3 proteins. Right now everyone has gone on strike over pork rib tips and refuse to eat them, so they've been getting more rabbit in there lately. The others eat all that plus beef! I'm also going to try them on turkey necks soon so that will be one extra source. I'm thinking I may give up on the beef and do an extra night of pork chunks instead. They will still get plenty of variety and I'll keep mixing it up, so it won't be like they're missing out. But anywho, here is my general revised menu. I took out the beef and swapped it with pork and I took out the rib tips and switched them with rabbit/quail/turkey necks. I know there is only one meal of heart, but they get their taurine supplement every day. Sun livers or kidneys chicken wings Mon CGH chicken hearts Tues chicken breast bone-in or chicken necks pork chunks Wed CGH Chicken gizzards Thurs chicken wings rabbit/quail/or turkey necks Fri chicken backs or chicken necks pork chunks Sat chicken backs chicken wings or bone-in breast
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2011 9:59:55 GMT -5
Okay, wow, that looks really, really good. When you're comfortable with where Gwen's at with the diet, I'll have Heather or Sherry take a look at it, give it their final thoughts and we'll see about graduating you *\o/*
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Post by trippyferret on Jul 22, 2011 10:29:04 GMT -5
Wheee! Awesome!!!!! Ok today I will pick up some turkey necks, try those out tomorrow, and we should be good to go! I'm thinking they should take to them pretty well. Yayyyyy! Oh, and I was thinking that once I'm graduated, I may start trying to switch the kitties!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2011 12:36:53 GMT -5
Switching kitties? That's great, and they'll get a lot of benefits from it (we were unsuccessful in our bid to switch ours, but we did transition them to can food, which is still better than kibble. Our kitties usually passed at 13, with a lot of kidney issues, but our oldest, Callie, is now 14 and still going strong!)
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Post by trippyferret on Jul 23, 2011 16:30:43 GMT -5
I don't know if mine will go for it or not. They eat kibble and dry. Plus I was thinking about how I really don't have the freezer space for extra raw, so I'm going to have to wait until I can afford to get a deep freezer! Anyways! The ferrets' turkey necks went over great this morning. Everyone decided it was their new favorite. So... I think we are ready!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2011 17:27:42 GMT -5
Alright, then. I'll get the menu off to Heather!
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Post by trippyferret on Jul 25, 2011 14:51:18 GMT -5
Woot woot! So ready to be graduated! I'm glad all the stress of the switch is over with! And thanks so much for being a great mentor! You did a wonderful job.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2011 17:12:13 GMT -5
Thank you, and I've enjoyed working with you and your beautiful babies, too As for edits to the menu, technically, you're menu is fine - but we did notice that it's a bit heavy on the chicken. Is there a way to get few more days of another protein in their (cgh, turkey necks, what have you?)
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Post by trippyferret on Jul 25, 2011 19:26:35 GMT -5
I supposed I could do more turkey necks. I mainly stuck with chicken because it was easiest for me to get, but it should be no problem to switch a couple meals with turkey necks. Sound good? Here's what I'm thinking we change it to:
Sun livers or kidneys chicken wings or chicken necks
Mon CGH chicken hearts
Tues turkey necks pork chunks
Wed CGH Chicken gizzards
Thurs chicken wings rabbit/quail/or turkey necks
Fri chicken backs or chicken necks pork chunks
Sat chicken backs or chicken wings turkey necks
Is that still too much chicken? Or will that do?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2011 19:39:47 GMT -5
No that should be good. I'll send this revised one off to Heather - like she said, the menu you had will give you healthy ferts and is perfectly acceptable (I do understand - it can be difficult to judge what a store will have), but this should give them more variety
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Post by trippyferret on Jul 26, 2011 16:27:08 GMT -5
Good deal then, looks like we're ready to go, just as soon as we can get Heather's approval. Also, I realized I can also add some more variety if I feed them egg every once in a while in place of boneless meals. I had totally forgot that was an option! lol. Think that's what the kiddos will have tonight. It's been a long, hard journey... but we've made it together! My kids and I are forever greatful!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2011 16:33:42 GMT -5
Yep, waiting for Heather, but she has hectic RL stuff going on, so it may be a few days.
Like I said before, you and your babies were amazing, and I'm happy to have been able to help you get your guys switched, YAY! \o/
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Post by Heather on Jul 27, 2011 22:46:27 GMT -5
Congratulations you've graduated and you're ready to walk this path alone, now. You have the foundation to help you feed your fuzzes in a more natural and healthy manner. Please remember that your learning never stops, and dietary needs change from ferret to ferret and throughout each their lives. Try not to rely to heavily on the whole chicken thing, keep looking for suppliers that can offer your wee ones a greater variety. I would also like you to be aware that though you now have the capability and the knowledge to create your little ones diets you are never alone and that your mentor (you need only pm) is always available to you. The list is also a very good resource and you should always be aware that it's available to answer any questions you may have either about diet or care. Good luck, in a few days either Sherry or I will lock down this thread but be aware that you can always look through it as a reference tool but you just will not be able to post to it Your mentor will be in to congratulate you shortly ;D. ciao
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