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Post by Sherry on Apr 5, 2012 12:24:40 GMT -5
He may just have to build up more jaw strength yet, or he might just not like chicken as much. How large/small is the quail? That would be a great alternate bone source as well. And the only thing to advanced is the one they won't eat offer whichever one you like
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2012 12:42:36 GMT -5
I guess the quail's about the size of the palm of my hand, probably a little smaller. I'll try a few things in the next couple days and keep you updated!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2012 9:08:15 GMT -5
Just a quick question about poop The last couple days, Zoey's has been really light-colored and runny- she's mostly been eating the chicken wings with some soup on the side. Does that sound normal? I can't remember seeing anything like that on the poop chart. Dexter's is still dark and runny like before, and they both are full of energy and acting fine. Just wanted to be sure!
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Post by Sherry on Apr 6, 2012 9:14:39 GMT -5
The stools will frequently change colour according to what they eat. And the lighter the meat, the lighter the stool. When you say "runny", do you mean wetter? Because raw fed ferrets will always have wetter, smaller stools. If she's eating bone, the stool should be wet but formed.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2012 12:02:17 GMT -5
Ok well that would explain why it's so light, since chicken is too. I guess I mean runny in the sense of just wetter, all the poops are still formed, there just seems to be a lot of water mixed in. But I guess that makes sense since meat obviously has a high water content. I may still try and get a picture when I get home from work, just to be sure, if you don't mind being grossed out hahaha!
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Post by Sherry on Apr 6, 2012 13:06:23 GMT -5
Doesn't bother me at all And don't forget- one of the reason's it's wetter is not only the much higher moisture content- but the lack of "fillers" you get in kibble.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2012 20:41:20 GMT -5
Everything still seems to be going smoothly! Though I'm having a hard time telling just how much Dexter is eating off of the solid meats I offer them. So far they've tried chicken wings and whole quail and Zoey loves both and simply devours them, but Dexter seems a little more hesitant. I've seen him lick on them and eat the meat, but I haven't actually seen him eat any of the bone. I've been trying not to offer the soup except for every once in a while so that he can't take the easy way out and just eat that instead I'm gonna try pork as soon as I can make it to the store, but was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to proceed with him in the meantime? I wanna make sure he's getting everything he needs nutrition-wise
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2012 23:14:03 GMT -5
Time for the weekly update (actually I'm a day late, whoops!) Dexter- 36.5 oz (so he's lost about 2 oz in a week, is that ok??), stools still small, dark, and wet, energy has been a little less than normal but nothing too drastic Zoey- 22.9 oz (so she's gained almost 3 oz!), stools small, wet, and on the lighter side, absolutely bursting with energy! Both have been eating either a chicken wing or a whole quail each day (shared between the two of them), as well as 2 soup cubes each. Oh, and here's some awesome news! Just finished putting in a quail for them, walked away and came back to catch Dexter red-handed, chomping down on the quail's leg! Yay!! So now that he's no longer being a stubborn hold-out, it's full-steam ahead tomorrow! I'm gonna try picking up some pork and maybe some ground turkey and see how they like that
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Post by Sherry on Apr 11, 2012 9:46:49 GMT -5
That's fantastic news I think it's time to start introducing heart and liver now. I find chicken hearts and livers are usually the most readily accepted at first, unless they prefer stronger meats. Although any heart and liver will do. And I'm sorry for not having gotten back to you earlier. I'm sure you've read it in the forum, but on Sunday we had to make the decision to help Boris cross to the bridge Monday evening
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2012 17:24:12 GMT -5
Sounds good, and I actually already have chicken hearts and livers on hand from when I made the soupie I'll take some out tonight to thaw out for their breakfast in the morning (assuming they eat it haha!). And no worries at all, I definitely understand after going through the same thing with Molly Though I only got to spend a short month with her, so I can only imagine how hard it is when you've had many years with your baby I hope you're doing ok and know that you did the right thing for Boris. He sounds like he was a very sweet boy and now he gets to run around and play without any pain
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2012 9:51:47 GMT -5
So, just wanted to give an update Tried giving the babies pork the other day, and it went over really well, both took to it right away! And I tried the chicken heart and liver too. No go on the heart, neither would touch it, but Dexter actually seemed to really enjoy the liver! He scarfed it up right away, and got the juices all over his face Zoey wasn't interested, but from what I've read on here it's actually pretty rare for them to like the organs anyway, right? I know a lot of people just grind them up into a soup to feed them. What would you suggest as a next step? They both are doing really well, I'm so proud of them!
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Post by Sherry on Apr 14, 2012 11:51:52 GMT -5
With the heart, you can try doing it as a soup to start, then just start adding in slivers and increasing in size. Same for the liver for Zoey. Just give it plain to Dexter since he enjoys it so much ;D You may have to mix in a 1/2 tsp of heavy cream per serving for Zoey to get her started with it. Try just the plain liver soupies first, and if it's too much of a fight, then use the heavy cream as a lure.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2012 23:05:04 GMT -5
Here's the weekly update! Dexter: back up to 37.2 oz, so glad he's starting to put weight back on! stools less wet and more well-formed; bursting with energy Zoey: up to a whopping 27 oz, she's turning into a little chubster! ;D stools are small and well-formed; tons of energy! Both have been getting chicken breasts, chicken wings, quail, and bone-in pork chops. Dexter ate a whole liver one day, and they both get soup cubes on the side. I'm gonna make up some soup with the liver and hearts to try them out on, and I also picked up some chicken necks and duck feet at the store the other day to try giving them
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Post by Sherry on Apr 18, 2012 8:45:29 GMT -5
Sounds like they are moving right along! That's fantastic So- we just have to get Zoey going on the liver, and both on heart, correct? And both are doing well now with bone?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2012 14:09:35 GMT -5
Yup, that's right I'm gonna grind up the liver and heart tonight and see what they think, hopefully Zoey will go for it! And they're both great with the bones, I hardly ever find any bones left over in the morning anymore unless they're just too big or dried out. I never expected the switch to go this smoothly! I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer, the change in them is already so incredible
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