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Post by Sherry on Mar 15, 2012 10:23:21 GMT -5
Its a good idea not to switch her to raw. That I disagree with. If a potential adopter is interested in this diet, it simply means the hard work will be done already And keeping a ferret used to kibble isn't hard. You just give it once or twice a week.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2012 10:53:10 GMT -5
What is ben-bac and where can I get it? She isn't lethargic, but I'm keepign a close eye on her.
The bonded pair (I tought they were going to be a trio) arrived a short bit ago. They have good weight on them and are very active. Age estimation is two years. They are eatting meow mix. Her vet suggested giving them small bites of banana and fruits to get them switched over to ferret food. How can you expect the public to use best practices when the "experts" suggest fruits!?! I'm starting the process to switch them to high grade kibble. The hair on one of their tails seems a bit thin. Should I have it checked for adrenal or wait to see if it grows back in with better food?
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Post by Heather on Mar 15, 2012 10:54:18 GMT -5
I agree with Sherry, switching a ferret gives it all the advantages at a time when they need them, there are no disadvantages. I've never had problems placing a raw fed ferret. If the people don't want to feed raw then I will push for high end kibble. Unlike most shelters, I don't have to place and if you don't want to fend by my rules you don't need my ferrets. I know a lot of shelters that live by that ruling even when they're overful. |I know a lot of shelters who will not place to a raw feeding home. They won't place to a non-vaccinating home either. A ferret never really forgets how to eat kibbles, especially if you do what Sherry suggests and feed them a kibble meal once in awhile. The ones that are difficult are ferrets that have come in as kits and are imprinted on raw. Minion has no clue what to do with kibble (actually he does...you dig in it) I can safely put him in with any kibble fed ferret and know he won't eat any of it
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2012 11:30:49 GMT -5
I'l probably be doing a mix of both, like I do for my own, and ensure that any new owner knows how important a good diet is. I think the soup is the best thing for the little one right now and I'm told the two that came in today eat soup. BTW, 15 mins alone and they already escaped. Good thing it is a small room. She did warn me to tie the tray on, I just hadn't gotten to it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2012 14:08:55 GMT -5
Okay, I just cleaned under the little girls cage and the puddles of poo that look black are actually green. Is there a way to get things to slow down in her tummy so he can get all the nutrients? She has eatten some fo the food, but it seems to be running right through her.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 15, 2012 14:16:28 GMT -5
Since she's eating soup, blend in some pumpkin for her. That should slow things down a bit. Also, for your own piece of mind, take a stool sample in to the vet. With the one with thinning tail, I'd wait and see. It could well be seasonal rat tail as well.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2012 17:30:33 GMT -5
I'll go try some pumpkin. I forgot about that. My vet is out of this office for the rest of the week and I don't really know of any other exotic vets. Mine does work for the wildlife rescue continually, so she stays up on non-cat and dog issues. IF it doesn't clean by Monday I will be sure to. Good to hear aobut the sesonal tail issue. Mine didn't do that when they shed, but it is that time of year.
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Post by Heather on Mar 15, 2012 19:27:34 GMT -5
I've got a couple that give me rat tail every year...usually not in the spring but just before the big shed in the fall. By about Aug they're looking really scruffy. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2012 22:20:46 GMT -5
Sherry and Heather,you are both in areas where it is common to feed raw. Americans sometimes are as bad as we sound. I just picket up some raw today for the ferrets but i have done my research but not all do and here,raw can be expensive.as i do reccommend feeding raw to the ferrets if they like it,do it but dont switch them completely over,when hagrid started on raw,he got it every day and when we ran out i found out he was. Not eating his kibble as,he was waiting for his raw(the little stinker! ;D ) but if the people want to adopt a ferret that is eating raw well,introduce the idea for sure! What i was aaying was not to switch them completely!
Bene bac is beneficial bacteria,you should ask your vet about it,its very good for upset tummies and would be good for the little girl as she has green poop which meana it is not being diested properly meaning ece or sensetive bowl syndrome ect
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Post by Sherry on Mar 15, 2012 22:44:32 GMT -5
Not quite so accepted stivs. For fostering, you've got to feed Totally Ferret. Took a bit of talking on my part to be able to even supplement with raw. As far as I know, Steph and I are the only two raw ferret feeders at our vet's office.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2012 11:29:56 GMT -5
Her appetite has picked up as she has settled in. Lots more poops over night, but still mostly runny. I'm not sure if she ate any of the soup I made for her with the pumpkin in it.
The bonded pair that were on meow mix that wouldn't eat ferret food have been trying my mix. I was also told they weren't litter trained, but they are using the large litter box I gave them. So many ferrets won't use the store bought ones, but I've had good luck with making them from bins. So good news there.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2012 12:23:55 GMT -5
haha Are you getting tired yet? We need pictures!
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Post by Heather on Mar 16, 2012 12:32:26 GMT -5
The joys of shelter work. Once you get into a swing of things and schedule, it's not that difficult. The problem is when you get dumped on or an emergency happens. Then all the schedules go stupid and you then go into best needs mode....the ones that need meds are the ones you treat first. It's never dull, lets put it that way ;D ciao
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2012 14:42:51 GMT -5
LOL, no where near tired of it. I'm the type of person that does better with something to do. I did lose track of time and think more days had passed than have. Gotta love spring break! YEs, pics will come as soon as I can get to them.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2012 16:37:55 GMT -5
Scored today! I found a 182 fn cage on craigslist last night and drove 2 hours to get it today. $100 and in great condition. The only thing it is missing is the felt covers for the ladders and I can make those witht he supplies I have at home. THis is going to make cleaning shelter ferts cages much easier!
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