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Ulcer?
Mar 20, 2011 10:12:12 GMT -5
Post by Sherry on Mar 20, 2011 10:12:12 GMT -5
Actually, any plain meat baby food works. Chicken is just the mildest tasting, and more easily accepted by most ferrets. Just check the ingredients. Or you can make your own. If you want to give it cooked, then cook up a couple of thighs, and puree them with enough water to make it slightly soupy. Freeze in ice cube trays, and pop them out into a baggie to store.
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Ulcer?
Mar 20, 2011 10:19:56 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 10:19:56 GMT -5
Oh that will be easier to look for then haha.
So they should just say "Chicken" not "chicken and chicken gravy", right?
I'll be posting tomorrow after I find out what's going on with them.
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Ulcer?
Mar 20, 2011 10:21:23 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 10:21:23 GMT -5
Doesn't matter the brand so much. Just make sure it only has chicken and no grains or veggies/fruits. A/D has more nutrition, but I have found it to be too much for sensitive tummies. Trust me...I have had to syringe feed all sorts of animals (when I worked at a vet clinic), and it was usually A/D that I had to feed. The smell of it is enough to make me nauseous (and I have a strong stomach, even when dealing with parvo dogs ). What I'm worried about, based on your last post, is that it's possibly a blockage since his poops are coming out thin and liquidy One thing that makes me think otherwise is that your others have had similar yellow poops on occasion. One ferret that came in to the clinic we found out had an ulcer, but his poops were coming out black and tarry (digested blood), so I don't think it's that.
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Ulcer?
Mar 20, 2011 10:25:57 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 10:25:57 GMT -5
We thought the thin poop could be from him not eating much. I have no idea, their symptoms are confusing lol
To the grocery store this afternoon then, though we'll try some A/D this morning since I want to be sure he is getting SOMETHING more than a couple pieces of kibble.
I really appreciate the replies here. I didn't sleep well last night because I kept checking on the ferrets. I know how quickly they can go down hill, so I'm just insanely worried.
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Ulcer?
Mar 20, 2011 10:30:58 GMT -5
Post by Sherry on Mar 20, 2011 10:30:58 GMT -5
Understandable! As long as he gets some nutrition into him, that's the important thing.
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Ulcer?
Mar 21, 2011 21:32:12 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 21:32:12 GMT -5
Lincoln is pretty sick...should have taken him in earlier. He lost 1/4 of his body weight since 2 months ago when we were last at the vet. They did the radiagram thing where they look at his intestines, but they didnt do the barium for whatever reason and then decided they couldnt see anything so they wanted to do the exam again with barium...charging me an EXTRA $45. ...I didn't have enough money for it, so I had to say no. They gave him antibiotics (and Loki) and gave Lincoln some nausea meds. So we have to force feed him tonight, and watch for a bugle or throw up in case its a blockage that they could have freaking seen in the first place!!!!! Sorry, but when it's life or death, you shouldn't be trying to profit out of it... Basically he's home with us, but supposed to take him in tomorrow morning if I think he needs the test... I couldn't afford to take all 5 ferrets at once because my ridiculous vet doesn't do ANY payment plans...It cost $230 for Loki+Lincoln visit and antibiotics and Lincoln's famitidine (or something like that; nausea med). We tried AD, but he just spit most of it out, so I tried chicken baby food and he took it much more willingly. We fed him about 30cc and are now watching for signs of a blockage... Him and Loki both had high fevers. Loki had 103, and Lincoln had 104. And tonight I noticed Booth has lost a significant amount as well...how did I not see this before it was so bad!? I clean their litter boxes every night and spend about 4+ hours a day with them out and playing.
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Ulcer?
Mar 21, 2011 21:51:07 GMT -5
Post by Sherry on Mar 21, 2011 21:51:07 GMT -5
First, separate them for several hours to see who is or isn't pooping what out. Give him the baby food about every 4 hours if you can. You can also mix some pumpkin in with it to add some bulk for him. That way at least, you'll have a better idea where you stand blockage wise. Although I'd be really surprised it that were the case after this length of time. Not impossible, but not as likely. If he has a nice, well formed, bright orange poop- you've basically got an all clear. If not, if it's weird colours, etc, then you may be dealing with something else entirely.
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Ulcer?
Mar 21, 2011 21:52:26 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 21:52:26 GMT -5
Remember that this is the time for weight lose. Ferrets are dropping winter weight, slowing down their eating, blowing their coats, etc. And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought average ferret temps were in the low 100s. So those temps don't sound that bad. If he's eating baby food willingly, I'd feed that for a while. It's gentle on the tummy and he needs to eat and stay hydrated. Could he have gotten into something? Rubber, foam, etc? Blockages can also result from hairballs. I would feed him some lax and pumpkin if your concerned about a blockage. I'll be praying for all your babies. I know the feeling of not being able to afford the treatment at the moment. Pixie had a blockage and the ER vet wanted around $200 just for an x ray. I passed on that, because I KNEW it was a blockage. They wanted thousands of dollars right then for surgery. To keep her overnight, close to a thousand dollars. For the visit, some fluids, and pain meds, we spent close to $500. Thankfully, she passed the blockage a couple hours after we left. Hang in there
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Ulcer?
Mar 21, 2011 22:04:23 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 22:04:23 GMT -5
Sherry - The vet told me to separate them as well. I know who is pooping what since I found those strange poops in the cage. Everyones got better by yesterday, except Lincoln and Loki.
Jackie - The vet said the temps were high for ferrets, but I don't know personally.
The only thing Lincoln would eat would be his hair lol. I've never seen him chew on ANYTHING he wasn't suppsoed to. He's always really good about that. I've been giving him lax for a couple weeks tho...
Also, I'll add some squash tomorrow to the baby food. I still haven't got pumpkin, though we should order some soon.
It's been an hour since he ate and he pooped a liquid, slightly less than normal size poop. So I really don't think it's a blockage. My vet said that this week she's had 4 ferrets come in with diarrhea and they turned out to be blockages, though.
I just need my babies to get through tonight, and I think the rest will be easier. <3
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Ulcer?
Mar 21, 2011 22:25:47 GMT -5
Post by Heather on Mar 21, 2011 22:25:47 GMT -5
A ferret's normal body temp is 102 give or take (just like us) If their temp is up which it is, not horribly so but it is elevated, I would think bacterial infection. You may see improvement once the antibiotics start working. It is horrible that your vet wouldn't allow you some form of payment and just complete the tests. That is cruel for the ferret if it's indeed got a blockage. Good luck, keep pushing the baby food. A ferret can live without problems for over 4 to 5 months so, on human baby food though it does come up short nutritionally it is a good "sicky" food and seems to be well received and does seem to sit well ciao
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Ulcer?
Mar 22, 2011 18:08:08 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2011 18:08:08 GMT -5
Thanks Heather! Well, Lincoln did fine last night and is doing great today. He is starting to have regular timed poops, though they are still a bit skinnier than normal, and liquid. But he is staying hydrated and I saw he tried to eat on his own last night! I noticed with his last feeding that he enjoys the baby food to be slightly warm and he will eat it on his own, rather than me having to scruff him and make him.
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Ulcer?
Mar 22, 2011 20:50:45 GMT -5
Post by Sherry on Mar 22, 2011 20:50:45 GMT -5
That's wonderful news!!! Sounds like they might all be on their way to recovery
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Ulcer?
Mar 22, 2011 21:29:44 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2011 21:29:44 GMT -5
Thats such good news! Pixie loves warm baby food
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Ulcer?
Mar 23, 2011 18:51:15 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2011 18:51:15 GMT -5
Yup, everyone is doing great!!! Lincoln's poops are finally taking form And he's eating a ton more baby food than he is required. I'll be trying to switch him to his kibble again tomorrow. Thank you all so much!
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Ulcer?
Mar 23, 2011 20:27:46 GMT -5
Post by Sherry on Mar 23, 2011 20:27:46 GMT -5
That's fantastic that he's doing so well You know- you can puree some raw for him, and use the baby food as a transition tool
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