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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2012 3:46:40 GMT -5
We rescued a jill a few days ago who had been kept with an intact hob, but for various reasons it was unclear whether or not she was pregnant. The vet thinks that she probably is, but it will be difficult to tell until later on in the pregnancy. She's not at optimum health, but he has advised that as long as she is watched carefully and fed a good diet that lets her put on adequate weight then the pregnancy should not pose too greater risk.
Having not set out to purposely breed and never having the intention too, we haven't read up on pregnancy and nursing nutrition for jills, and while I'll start doing so ASAP, has anyone got any pointers or guides? Are there a few specific minerals or something I should be looking to give her extra? Any supplements? Any foods best avoided? At the moment she is on a medium grade kibble, as up until she came here she was fed very poor quality cat biscuits, and this is the only thing she'll eat so far, I'm going to try and switch her to a higher quality grain free kibble slowly.
She has ignored the soup, egg, mince and liver that I have put in her bowl, and I didn't want to take her kibble away to encourage her to eat it if she is pregnant. She did have a few laps of lactol milk, but didn't finish the small portion. Is there anything that's vital for her to eat, and any advice on getting a pregnant jill to eat it? I could try syringe feeding her soup for example.
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Post by Sherry on Jun 7, 2012 9:29:47 GMT -5
You could also start trying to finger feed her the mince if it's mixed with enough water to make it soupy. Or even soak and puree her kibble and start mixing the raw mince in.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2012 9:42:27 GMT -5
Just to clarify, I can't really switch her onto raw entirely. She isn't going to be a permanent addition to the family as we already have enough fuzzies, unless for whatever reason she can't be rehomed, like if she has an ongoing medical condition. As she isn't going to be staying forever, I'd really like her to start eating some meat, but still keep her going on the kibble. I tried getting her to lick some soup from my finger, but she wasn't interested, but maybe I'll try and combine what you suggested sherry with the soup, but soaking her kibble in the soup?
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Post by Sherry on Jun 7, 2012 9:44:22 GMT -5
It can't hurt! Even though the texture will be different it will smell similar and taste very similar. At least it should help keep her hydrated. And yeah- I do understand about not switching her entirely. Hopefully you can supplement her with the raw then whoever adopts will continue.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2012 9:59:23 GMT -5
I'm hoping to find her a raw feeding home, but because of the amount of work, knowledge and expense that goes into it, I haven't got high hopes of finding someone who feeds 100% raw, but she will defeinitely be going to a home where she is fed a high quality kibble (once I can get her eating some!) and raw meat regularly. Because we don't have the same pressures as a rescue to rehome quickly, she can stay until we find a great home for her though, as she will get all the care, attention and love she needs here- the only thing that is lacking is a new group of friends to play with when she's better. We might be able to pair her up with Bob, the other foster who is here at the moment, but that's week away yet, as it'll take a good deal of time for their hormones to settle down, and it'll be ages until she's done nursing etc, and is able to be implanted or spayed. I also think he might be too boisterous for her, but it's hard to tell until their hormones have calmed down and they are actually put together.
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Post by lorelei0922 on Jun 7, 2012 10:45:58 GMT -5
Hi... welcome to the world of what to do for a pregnant jill
The advice i always give is to keep giving what they are use to... it may not be the most brilliant diet but she is use to kibble which in general will provide what she needs... The problem with switching her now is refusal to eat and diarreah... many ferrets get the runs when switching and that is usually transitory and goes away as their tummy adjusts.. you cant take that time and added stress with a pregnant jill. both will stress her out ..
she needs to chill and grow babies..
So for now.. free feed the food she is use to... you can try a kibble soup... boiling water added to kibble to make a soupy mush.. most will take that.. if she will... you can then add some raw meat to it... and even some bonemeal or powdered eggshell you've pulverized to a powder in the food processor.... get a little canned pumpkin or a butternut squash from the grocery store... Waitrose and Morrisons sometimes carry the pumpkin in cans... you can add this by a teaspoon to the soup to help keep her digestion and poos straight while adding a bit of extra protien and calcium to her diet.
If she wont look at the soup... dont worry.. Many Many litters of kits in the UK are raised very successfully on far far worse...
Please keep in touch and we'll offer any advice we can! What part of the country are you in?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2012 13:33:16 GMT -5
I'm in Birmingham, so a bit far away from you unfortunately! I've got some good advice and support from people who are in the Feret Help network too, and some friends who have been in similar foster situations, but I felt that this was the best place to come to, to find the experts in ferret nutrition! Everyone has pretty much said the same thing, keep giving her the kibble and try offering some soup combinations, but if she's not interested then I won't force the issue, and I'll just ensure she has free access to kibble and water like normal. I'm going to buy some Royal Canin Feline Covalescense powder (normally have some around the house, but we're all out at the moment), which we use to put weight on poorly fuzz before, and I've never met a ferret that didn't like it so far.
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Post by crazylady on Jun 7, 2012 15:06:09 GMT -5
Hi you can also give her lactol ( kitten and puppy replacer milk a couple of times per week ) or goats milk that is full of calcium and vits the lactol has everything in it take care bye for now
Bev
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2012 17:05:11 GMT -5
I've given her some normal kitten milk, that she wasn't interested in, but not the replacement stuff. I suppose I should buy some anyway just in case the worst happens and she isn't feeding them.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2012 9:25:20 GMT -5
Soaking the kibble & mincing it with small amounts of meat & offal & powdered eggshells will probably help. I tend to give my girls their normal diet, plus a milk drink to boost them. It's a kitten replacement formula, I mix it with an egg yolk & warm water, shake it good & serve. Works fairly well.
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