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Post by Heather on Nov 10, 2011 16:17:57 GMT -5
Name: Sarah HF Forum Username: lumene 1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets? I researched it after slowly beginning to switch my cat to raw. I have loved ferts even though its been years since I've had one. 2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I would like to switch to raw and supplement with whole frozen/thawed prey (I have snakes as well, so I have a steady supply of frozen feeders).
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Because I have never believed in the mass produced, overcooked animal kibble. And I am aiming for Vet Tech- I need to know what I am putting into my animals.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yes, I am on medical leave from college, so I have two months to get started.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I have one female, Penelope. She is underweight, I can feel her ribs way too easily. Estimated age is 3. Recieved less than a week ago.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
No treats, she won't eat anything besides Purina Stuffed Morsels (which I more or less banned after her second day) or Marshall Ferret....
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, this is a first for me, but I am switching my cat... he's pretty much done...
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I sometimes need things written clearly or repeatedly, sometimes I misread/ misinterpret things due to ADD. Penelope is deaf, I am still introducing myself to her, she is very wary after being passed around. She hisses a lot and hates to be confined, but I cannot always allow her to be free.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer? All day every day.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO POST PICTURES ON FORUMS... sorry for caps.
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Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Jackie) will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. Also note there may have been some changes in the application and how you should post so please review these before proceeding. If you have any questions feel free to either ask your mentor or any of the admins. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 16:25:04 GMT -5
Hello Here's a little about me Name: Jackie HF User Name: Jackie Location: West Coast, Florida About Me: Hello! I'm Jackie I am 19 and a senior in college, working on my B.A. in Chemistry/Biology I am about to start writing my thesis, which I am really nervous/excited/anxious to do My goal in life is to become a neonatologist (sick baby doctor). After I graduate I am taking a year off to get myself together before I start med school (hopefully) in 2013. My favorite color is..... pink My favorite food is.... Pizza My favorite holiday is... My birthday My favorite hobby is... Couponing. I am an avid couponer :-D I started to try to save some money, and now I am completely hooked! I like to listen to...all music. I love music from all genres, rap, rock, hip-hop, pop, country. I don't discriminate I collect... Health and beauty products. Ever since I started couponing, I started collecting high end health and beauty products. I have a collection of about 200 shampoo/conditioner/styling products/bodywash/razors/toothpaste This list goes on and on actually Something about me you might be suprised to know... When I was 10 years old (thought I was invincible) I climbed four stories up a large banyan tree. After reaching the top I joked about jumping down, and before I even started my desent, the branch I was standing on broke and I fell four stories down. I was knocked unconscious and rushed to the hospital (my parents terrified). After numerous tests, they found out that... Nothing was wrong I had a bleeding on the brain, and a bruised pelvic bone but nothing else. Nothing serious. I was actually able to go home a couple days later. It was a wake up call to be more cautious and appreciate life, and live it to the fullest. I became a mentor because... I am really passionate about feeding raw and have seen first hand the benefits it has. If I can personally help someone give their fuzzy a better diet, then I am more than happy About My Ferrets: I have three beautiful female ferrets. Pixie: Is my soul ferrets, my sidekick, my partner in crime. I got her at 8 weeks old and we've been inseparable since. She is 2.5 years old now. Pixie is super spoiled, and switching her to raw was the hardest. But, she eats whole chunks like a pro now and is as healthy as can be! She had a blockage scare about 1.5 years ago that she thankfully passed on her own. Pixie follows me everywhere, licking my toes, ankles and socks. I <3 her. Trixie: One day, Pixie had escaped. She had somehow gotten out of the house. I searched for her for all day and into the night. No luck. I made posters and prayed that she would be found alive and okay. I am so heartbroken I cannot even explain it. I thought she was gone forever. To help me overcome the grief I was feeling, my boyfriend brought me to the pet store to pick out a ferret. I didn't really want to even look at another ferret, but he told me that when we DO find Pixie, she needed a friend so she doesn'’t want to escape so much. So I picked out a beautiful little champagne girl, who I named Trixie. Pixie was found the next day and even since then, they've been the best of buddies. Trixie is now almost 2 and is a bit... slow. But she is beautiful, fluffy, and hilarious She is extremely docile and enjoys being held and petted. Trixie was not the easiest switch, but definitely easier than Pixie Dixie: She is my latest addition. I saw her at the store and she was the most adorable thing ever with her dark little nose and endearing personality. She is CRAZY! She is about 8 months old and is just as insane as the first day I brought her home. She acts like she is on crack or something She is constantly moving, moving, moving! She was the easiest to switch to raw and took to it instantly She has no manners, climbs all over people and their face She is the instigator of the group. While Pixie would prefer to play with me and Trixie would prefer to stash socks and eggs, Dixie gets the party started and I love her for that About My Natural Feeding Experience: I started feeding raw over a year ago. I first started with freeze dried raw. My girls took to it instantly. I saw SO much improvement in my two (Pixie and Trixie at the time) that I never looked back. After feeding that for approx. 6 months, I realized that it was killing my pocketbook. I decided I wanted to try to incorporate whole meats from the grocery store to cut costs. Pixie was very stubborn to accept chunks because she absolutely LOVES soup. But it seemed like one day she just started eating chunks, and we were switched! Type of mentor: Freeze-dried Raw, Commercial Raw, & Frankenprey Specialty: Younger fuzzies and stubborn fuzz butts
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 16:30:16 GMT -5
So I'm assuming you have all the ingredients necessary for a balanced raw soup?
Soup for switch: 8oz chicken(or other meat) One chicken liver(or 2oz other liver) 2 chicken hearts(or 1oz other heart) 1/2 tsp eggshell powder
If so, I'd like for you to make a soup for your baby, and blend to the consistency of watery yogurt. Take their kibble away for about 2-3 hours between you feed the soup. Then gently pick one up (with a towel) and try to get them to taste the soup.
Some take to it right away and will happily lick the soup from a finger, spoon or bowl.
Others will need some gentle convincing. You can hold your finger close to their mouth and see if they will lick it off. You can also dab it on their nose and see if they will lick it off. If they still refuse, relax, let them go and try again in 5-10 minutes.
If they continue to refuse, you can blend in some of their kibble. To do this, soak the kibble in hot water for about 15 minutes and then blend in. Repeat the same procedure above and let me know how it goes.
It would also be helpful if you could outline exactly what style of raw you'd like to feed. Commercially prepared raw, freeze dried raw, grocery store meats, etc. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, but knowing now will help me to guide your baby in that direction faster
I look forward to working with you and your baby!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 16:34:00 GMT -5
Also, every Sunday (or Monday, whatever is easier) I will need a weekly update from you. Please copy/paste this very short questionnaire into your switching thread every Sunday/Monday. 1. Ferret's name: 2. Ferret's weight: 3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal. 4. Stools on various proteins. 5. Activity levels: 6. Weekly menu: Example would be: Vincent, 3lbs 2oz(1417g), small chicken wing chopped into 2" pieces, bone and all. Stools good colour and consistency. Played as per normal. Willow, 1lb 4oz(567g), 2 tbsp commercial raw turkey, hand fed. Stools good colour and consistency. Very hyper when up, playing for 2-3 hours at a time. Mr. Frodo, 4lb 4oz(1928g), 1/4c pork slivers mixed with soup. Stools slightly loose, somewhat seedy, and pale in colour. Somewhat more tired, plays for 30 minutes, then finds somewhere to sleep. Flat ferreting more often. Weekly menu was: Monday: chicken legs Tuesday: Commercial raw Wednesday: Soup with pork slivers Etc. Just write what you actually fed them. I would also appreciate a picture of your baby before we get started that can show the weight and size of your fuzz (like this -> holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4342). I would greatly appreciate a picture of your baby every 2 weeks. Until we get past the soup stage, I will need a post every 2 days. Please please PLEASE let me know if you are going out of town or cannot post. I am more than happy to work with you and your schedule, I just need to be informed
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Post by lumene on Nov 13, 2011 20:37:49 GMT -5
Hi. I have everything for soup... mouse hearts okay? Finding heart in my grocery stores here is impossible- waiting to hear back from a couple private places though.
As for what I would like to feed Penelope, I am interested in homemade raw with frozen thawed feeder mice as a supplement. The comercial raw sold here is chock full of veggies... eww. I feed my neurotic cat a half raw, half canned diet. If I can convert him, I can do anything.
I also don't know how I can weigh her- I have a gram scale for my snakes (holds up to 3000g) but getting her to sit on it...?
I don't know how to upload pictures.... teach me? Penelope is a three year old silver who seems to be partially deaf...
I have had Penelope for less than two weeks. She is wary, hissy, depressed and generally pretty disinterested in life right now because she has lacked a stable home until now (but she has also never had a cage before and dislikes it). She just needs to realize it. For her size she is underweight, under her fur I feel ribs- but the vet says she has an otherwise clean bill of health despite her cat food diet. Speaking of cat food- Pen is a kibble addict. Anything but kibble is ignored...
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Post by lumene on Nov 13, 2011 20:55:34 GMT -5
Name: Sarah HF User Name: lumene Location: West Coast, Victoria Canada. About Me: I am a 20 year old freshman at a local college, currently on medical leave, but when I return I will finish high school upgrading and then transfer to a Vet University (dunno which yet). I am passionate about animals, animal rights, PRIDE and educating the general population about stigmas for people with disabilities/ animals with 'reputations'. Oh, and horseback riding- I am a former provincial para equestrian bronze medalist. I have cerebral palsy- no it doesn't effect my brain, I walk funny is all. Otherwise I'm a 'normal' 20 year old. My goal in life is: To become a Vet Tech, run a rescue for cats, ferrets, reptiles, birds of prey and horses-- I'mma need a ranch for this... I would also like to get into government to protect the rights of exotic pet owners, moniter backyard breeders and ensure proper funding for shelters of all kinds. My favorite color is..... Orange! My favorite food is.... Bubble Tea... My favorite holiday is... All Hallow's Eve (yeah, not a holiday, but then I am not the only freak on the loose...) Plus, it's my anniversay with my boyfriend. My favorite hobby is... Reading, Roleplaying, rescuing animals, horseback riding (been a couple years for that last one...) Music... I have everything as well. I hope we will enjoy working together. Off to make soupie.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2011 22:29:07 GMT -5
I have everything for soup... mouse hearts okay? Finding heart in my grocery stores here is impossible- waiting to hear back from a couple private places though. Any heart is fine Heart is heart, and all heart contains large amount of taurine which are critical for the diet. s for what I would like to feed Penelope, I am interested in homemade raw with frozen thawed feeder mice as a supplement. The comercial raw sold here is chock full of veggies... eww. I feed my neurotic cat a half raw, half canned diet. If I can convert him, I can do anything. Okay, sounds like a plan. Maybe whole prey 1-2 times a week? Or more often than that? I also don't know how I can weigh her- I have a gram scale for my snakes (holds up to 3000g) but getting her to sit on it...? You could try while she sleeps (yeah, that never really works here). I also place them in a large bowl (tare the scale) and try to get the best reading I can. I've also used a plastic baggy. I don't know how to upload pictures.... teach me? Penelope is a three year old silver who seems to be partially deaf... Here's a "how to" for posting pics. holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=fuzz&action=display&thread=48You can also "attach" a photo to your reply if you use the standard reply (not the quick reply at the bottom). There will be a attachment option, just click "choose file" and find the photo on your computer. If you don't have a photo sharing account, you can use the "upload an image"option in the standard reply option as well. So let me know when you make soup, and how it goes. Since we're starting the switch today, let's just wait until next week for the weekly update. If possible though, getting her weight and a pic now (pre-switch) is really helpful before we start to make sure she isn't losing weight.
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Post by lumene on Nov 14, 2011 21:57:39 GMT -5
1. Ferret's name: Penelope (or Penne, like pasta). 2. Ferret's weight: Working on it. Maybe tonight? 3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal. 4. Stools on various proteins. On Marshal Ferret--Stinky, large and frequent. 5. Activity levels: Sleepy, explorative, a bit disinterested, Wary 6. Weekly menu: For the last week Penne has been on Marshal Ferret, pellets twice a day. Last night I made some soup, however I did not even have feeder hearts O.o waiting for a new order. Soup was taken somewhat unwillingly, she took it from my finger both last night and today. Had to wrap her up. Trying for pictures...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2011 19:43:18 GMT -5
Do you know how much soup you got into her? Did you take her kibble away before trying the soup? I think it's always best to try feeding soup on a hungry tummy. I usually recommend removing kibble about 2-3 hours before trying soup. Keep with the soup - she might take a while to realize its not poison and tastes yummy
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Post by lumene on Nov 15, 2011 21:40:36 GMT -5
I've got the soup frozen in a mini ice cube tray (about half the size of large cubes) Both times she has eaten the entire contents of one thawed cube.
She only has aceess to kibble twice a day, whatever she doesn't eat the crazy cat usually finishes.
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Post by lumene on Nov 16, 2011 22:37:10 GMT -5
Hi Jackie,
Penelope ate half of her soup! I gave her two cubes warmed up and she has downed it with no assistance from me today!
I will probably give her a little kibble tonight, but I am leaving the soup in her cage awhile first.
PS. I wanted to ask about the "West Coast, Florida?" My geography isn't great but isn't Florida east coast? I live on the west coast and Cali is south of me... Sorry, just a little confused.
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Post by lumene on Nov 17, 2011 2:13:20 GMT -5
So I just put in her nightime kibble, and it looks as though most of the soup was consumed, there were dregs, but I am impressed.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2011 10:29:13 GMT -5
That's awesome! Seems like she's determined that it's is food! Next time I crease the # of cubes, and see how much she'll eat. She will eat a ton at this stage, an if she is finishing her soup, she's probably still hungry. How much kibble did she eat during the night?
Haha, Florida is on the east coast of the USA, but I live on the West coast of Florida, near the gulf of Mexico. I guess I didn't realize that it could be taken as the west coat like California. But Florida has two coasts, the Atlantic ocean (east) and the gulf of Mexico (west).
How thick is the soup at this point? How full did you fill the ice cube tray for the soup cubes?
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Post by lumene on Nov 17, 2011 20:40:52 GMT -5
Penelope's weight is 2lbs 4oz.
It was hard to weigh her!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2011 21:04:34 GMT -5
Wow, that's a pretty good weight (heavier than all 3 of my girls ). I weighed all mine today too (and it was a PITA, especially for Dixie.) One realllllyy easy way to weigh a ferret is to use a fish balance/scale. It has a little hook. Basically, put on your ferrets harness and then hang them from the hook. Most won't squirm at all, and it's much more accurate.
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