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Post by lumene on Nov 18, 2011 0:22:50 GMT -5
Yeah, I grabbed her while she was drowsy, slipped her into one of my large snake weighing tubs and popped her on. She struggled a fair bit. I have been told that she is big for a marshall female.
Also the soup today was the consistency of jam and she downed it. Origionally I was adding warm water to thin in, but today I didn't.
Tomorrow I will try with three cubes in the morning. before her kibble of the day.. Maybe I can ditch the kibble altogether soon? I am running low anyway...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2011 10:30:27 GMT -5
Yeah, I grabbed her while she was drowsy, slipped her into one of my large snake weighing tubs and popped her on. She struggled a fair bit. I have been told that she is big for a marshall female. Haha, sounds like a typical ferrets Also the soup today was the consistency of jam and she downed it. Origionally I was adding warm water to thin in, but today I didn't. That's awesome! I would keep upping the amount - if she is eating the soup no problem and is eating a significant amount of soup a day, we can take the kibble away. Tomorrow I will try with three cubes in the morning. before her kibble of the day.. Maybe I can ditch the kibble altogether soon? I am running low anyway... So if you were to measure the amount of soup she's eating in oz or tsp or tbsp, how much would you say she's eating? She should be eating anywhere from 2-4 oz (4-8 tbsp) a day. If she is doing that, I would say it's safe to ditch the kibble and offer her two meals of soup a day. You can also leave a bit of soup in the bowl for snacking on during the day and night.
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Post by lumene on Nov 19, 2011 23:44:22 GMT -5
Hi Jackie, So last night was a bit of a setback, she didn't want Any soup for some reason. But today she ate 6 tsp for her evening meal. (three cubes) Already I am seeing changes, ie less poo in the litterbox. However she has been very sleepy the last couple days, roaming for an hour or hour and a half once a day and then crawling into her towel in her quarentine cage the rest of the time. Do you think that it could be something to do with the temps in my apartment? Where her cage is (in my room with the snakes) it is about 75-85 F at any given time in winter because of medical issues and the snakes required temps. The living room is cooler and that is where she spends her out of cage time harassing my cat.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2011 11:23:09 GMT -5
So last night was a bit of a setback, she didn't want Any soup for some reason. But today she ate 6 tsp for her evening meal. (three cubes) That's okay about the setback - they will happen. I'm glad she ate 6 tsp though. Does she still have access to her kibble? Already I am seeing changes, ie less poo in the litterbox. However she has been very sleepy the last couple days, roaming for an hour or hour and a half once a day and then crawling into her towel in her quarentine cage the rest of the time. Some lethargy is normal during the beginning of the switch. Kinda of like of carb crash or carb withdrawal. They are used to using sugar as their energy source, and now they have to use fat. Do you think that it could be something to do with the temps in my apartment? Where her cage is (in my room with the snakes) it is about 75-85 F at any given time in winter because of medical issues and the snakes required temps. Hm, yes that could be an issue. Ferrets thrive in cooler weather and shouldn't be kept above 80 F. Also, just wanted to remind you about the weekly update either today or tomorrow.
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Post by lumene on Nov 23, 2011 1:37:39 GMT -5
1. Ferret's name: Penelope
2. Ferret's weight: 2lb 40z
3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal. 2-4 table spoons raw soup.
4. Stools on various proteins. With the introduction of soup stools have become smaller, firmer less frequent and less stinky.
5. Activity levels: Sleepy, explorative for short periods of time, an hour or so at a time.
6. Weekly menu: Monday to Thursday- Two meals kibble with snack of soupie Friday and Saturday- Two meals of Soup with kibble as nighttime snack. Sunday- Soup, ran out of kibble!!!
Penelope , 2lbs 4oz (approximately), low activity levels during playtime. Stools good consistency, water intake reduced. Coat starting to soften and thicken.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2011 10:17:13 GMT -5
Has her activity always been low? (even before the switch)?
Also, has she had any recent vet trips? Her age is in the bracket for adrenal and insulinoma and lethargy can be a sign of both.
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Post by lumene on Nov 25, 2011 19:19:54 GMT -5
I don't know. I had my vet check her out the day after I got her. I know where he lives so I can find him when he's not working at either of his practices. He gave her a clean bill of health, but we didn't weigh her cause he doesn't keep a scale at home. I could take her in to get bloodwork and all, but everything is sent to Vancouver anyway.
The best ferret vet is a two hour ferry ride and then bussing/driving into Vancouver, because of FIRST (the Vancouver ferret rescue). I plan to go in January when my student loans give me extra money. I have to get her micro chipped anyway.
I have been letting her out 2-3 times a day the last couple days, she runs about for an hour, lies down and then gets back up again, she uses enormous amounts of energy in bursts. I've also found her asleep under my bookshelves. She has been playing with the cat too, lots of tag and chasing him onto the couch or desk.
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Post by lumene on Nov 26, 2011 0:08:51 GMT -5
Sooo, I made new soup today because I thawed my origional soup and it smelled off. So new soup with beef heart added. The soup today was thicker with plenty of chunks (may have skipped a few steps) because my blender went on the fritz. And she ate it!!! Two hours and the whole bowl was devoured. She is officiially off kibble!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2011 23:45:39 GMT -5
That's wonderful! Keep offering the thick chunky soup
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Post by lumene on Nov 28, 2011 1:41:30 GMT -5
Hi Jackie, So, with the heart added Penelope's bowel movements went a little funny for a couple days but everything seems to be coming back to normal. Also! I am feeling a weight gain on her. When I got her I could feel her ribs quite clearly, but now there is a nice layer of proper fat forming.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2011 9:13:31 GMT -5
Yes, the heart meat will usually cause some tummy upsets (and dark stools). I'm glad everything is coming back to normal. That's great! I'm so happy she is putting on some weight
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Post by lumene on Nov 30, 2011 5:38:59 GMT -5
I'm late again! 1. Ferret's name: Penelope 2. Ferret's weight: New weight coming. 3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal. 2-4 table spoons of thick raw soup. 4. Stools on various proteins. With the introduction of heart into the soup we had three or four days of red jelly stool but things are back to normal now. 5. Activity levels: Energy in short bursts, sometimes just curling up and sleeping during activity time. She hasn't been out of her cage in two days so she'll be a rocket later tonight. 6. Weekly menu: Monday- Old soup with kibble mixed in, meat and liver. Tuesday- Old soup with kibble mixed in, meat and liver. Wednesday- Old soup with kibble mixed in, meat and liver. Thursday- New soup with beef heart. Plenty of chunks. Friday- New soup with beef heart. Plenty of chunks. Saturday- New soup with beef heart. Plenty of chunks. Extra eggshell added. Sunday- Same as Sat. Soup is semi solid even in a thawed state. Penelope , new weight to be checked, pictures this weekend. Activity levels varying. Coat is thick and soft, darkening. I am beginning to feel a fat layer over her ribs.
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Post by lumene on Dec 3, 2011 11:01:07 GMT -5
So last night I tried something a little different- instead of soup I gave Penelope slices of the frozen meat. and she seemed to take it just fine.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2011 11:33:12 GMT -5
I'm so happy she's feeling more fatty She ate the slices?!? That's awesome! How big we're they (length and thickness)? Since she's recognizing pieces as food, I think getting some bone in meats is the next step. Chicken wing tips are great starter bones.
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Post by lumene on Dec 6, 2011 21:29:02 GMT -5
Hi Jackie,
The money has run out for the time being, so wingtips may have to wait until holiday festivities kick in, but she did get a little bit of bone from some 'deboned' drumsticks I purchased (cut the thin bones up tiny in the frozen meat). The slices are about the diamater of a large yougurt container and cut like a thicker sandwhich meat. My blender decided it wanted to go on strike, hence the frozen slices idea. Which has progressed to large chunks of frozen meat since last night (Philly cream cheese conatiner sized chunks take her about a night to eat, no stashing).
I will have pictures up and a new weight tonight or tomorrow. I have been doing some dancing between student loans and disability income this last week so its nice to escape on here.
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