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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 1:32:22 GMT -5
Hi all, I was making some guacamole and Finn was loose, and he got a hold of a small, about pea-sized piece of avocado. He gobbled it up before I could get it out of his mouth. So I looked it up, and found out it is poisonous to ferrets. I couldn't find any specifics though as to how much will cause symptoms, how severe, etc. Does anyone know just how toxic it is? It was such a small amount, and one website I read said that there were no reliable accounts of ferrets being poisoned by it, but it is supposed to be poisonous. I gave him a big portion of pumpkin to move it through his system faster. Anything else I should do? Is it an emergency, or likely to just upset his tummy? Also, some websites even list avocado as an acceptable treat for ferrets. This one for example: www.waffs.org.au/showcontent.toy?senid=10302&contentnid=14600Not saying I believe it's an acceptable treat, just seems like if it was highly toxic, it wouldn't be on someone's list of treats... I'm hoping it's not that potent of a toxin...
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Post by Heather on Apr 24, 2012 1:57:53 GMT -5
I think considering the size of the stolen delight, that he will probably be ok. Keep an eye on him for common poisoning signs, such as vomiting, digestive upsets, lethargy. I would be more concerned with blockages. I would just keep an eye on him. I don't think too highly of the Western Australian ferret and ferreting's idea of treats. That's not a good mixture as grapes and raisins are actually toxic to ferrets  and many other carnivores. Jennifer might be able to better tell you about the toxic effects of avocadoes. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 2:03:44 GMT -5
I'll keep an eye on him, it was a pretty tiny piece and it was very mushy so I don't think blockage would occur.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 5:40:13 GMT -5
My understanding is that the pit and the skin are the major concern for pets. I believe I read somewhere that the toxin is in a more complex state in the actual fruit. A ferret should pass it before they break it down.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 6:05:23 GMT -5
My understanding is that the pit and the skin are the major concern for pets. I believe I read somewhere that the toxin is in a more complex state in the actual fruit. A ferret should pass it before they break it down. Ah, that is good. Well, he passed the little bit of avocado, along with the pumpkin, and he's not acting sick, so I guess he's all good. Whew!
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 24, 2012 7:57:53 GMT -5
I don't think too highly of the Western Australian ferret and ferreting's idea of treats. That's not a good mixture as grapes and raisins are actually toxic to ferrets. Ditto.
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Post by Heather on Apr 24, 2012 10:46:14 GMT -5
I'm glad that the avocado passed through without any change to it's actual state...gives an idea as to how much digestion is actually required to get that in your system  Finn is doing well then? ciao
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 12:50:15 GMT -5
Yeah Finn apparently came through the avocado scare unharmed I had a feeling such a small amount of avocado wasn't going to do much, but still, you never know!! I'm sure glad he's OK! This little guy wants to give me gray hairs ;D I've had lots of pets in the past but I'm surprised how these little brats have managed to burrow deeper into my heart than the other pets have ;D When they are sick or even MIGHT be sick it's amazing how worrisome it can be!
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Post by Heather on Apr 24, 2012 14:49:35 GMT -5
Hmmm, I'm thinking that Finn's collecting heart keys by the bundle....ya think? ciao
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 15:01:14 GMT -5
The fruit nearest to the pit and skin is the most toxic, in fact, it's so bad that it can be a danger to rats, who are pretty tough when it comes to food. (I seriously feed mine all kinds of weird things, like ravioli, hamburgers, pizza...whatever little left over food I have I give them.)
I'm glad he is okay, and that he passed it without issue.
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Post by Heather on Apr 24, 2012 15:04:21 GMT -5
One has to wonder why we eat it?? ciao
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Post by crazylady on Apr 24, 2012 15:11:01 GMT -5
lol I dont ! glad to hear finn is doing ok don't start me on the raisin thing heather lol remember I was a cannibal 14 years ago on here when I dared state I fed my ferrets raw meat lol around that time it was all raisins grapes and cheese lol I was the wierdo lol take care bye for now Bev
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 15:12:25 GMT -5
Humans are garbage guts, we eat all kinds of things that are toxic to other animals, such as onions, citrus, dairy, etc, not to mention nasty GMO foods. Rats can have avocado if it's fruit from far away from the pit and skin, but that seems too much like a gamble to me and I never feed it to any of my pets, nor to myself.
Rats can even eat chocolate! (and it's actually helpful to them, much like with people) But, avocado is dangerous, and yeah, it does make me wonder why we eat it, if even rats can be harmed by it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 15:37:37 GMT -5
Hmm well I personally think avocado is delicious lol... and Finn acted like he thought it was delicious too! It's pretty fatty, maybe that's why. I DEFINITELY won't let him get any again though!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 15:42:35 GMT -5
The fattiness is actually great for weight gain with rats, but many people refuse to use it because of the toxicity near the skin and pit. I personally think it's too much risk.
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