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Post by Sherry on Sept 12, 2012 8:26:33 GMT -5
Wilma refused it with the ground? Try spoon feeding her again- she'll pick back up quickly
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Post by bitbyter on Sept 15, 2012 9:13:31 GMT -5
So the girls are currently chowing down on 80% ground chicken / turkey and 20% soup with no eggshell (I think I was putting in too much as their poops have been pretty dry). There is also a chicken wingtip chopped up in each plate.
They haven't been eating as much over the last few days for some reason but they were definitely hungry this morning. Once they've digested this meal I'll get their weights for you.
Right now I am putting 5 oz on each plate and I think I may cut that back to 4 oz as I am still throwing out quite a bit. Should I try two seperate feedings of 2 oz instead of one of 4 oz?
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Post by Sherry on Sept 15, 2012 9:34:57 GMT -5
You know your girls best. Do whichever you think will work for them. Try the two and two, see how they do with it. And since they are doing so well with the mince, start slipping in some fingernail crescent sized slivers of meat. This is much easier to sliver when partially frozen by the way
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Post by bitbyter on Sept 15, 2012 10:06:32 GMT -5
The meal before this one I had some tiny pieces of gizzard chopped up in it. They ate some but licked around the rest (lazy buggers). As long as progress is being made (and it is) I am happy.
Since I am using chicken, turkey and sardines in my mix is that considered 3 sources of protein? I'm going to make up a rat / mouse soup but I don't want to rush them either.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 15, 2012 12:17:52 GMT -5
Yes, it is More, of course, is better. And the fact that they actually DID eat some of the bits is excellent. As they start taking the slivers, begin upping the amount in their mix. You *should* be able to do that pretty quickly now.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 15, 2012 12:18:25 GMT -5
In the interim, you can also try offering slivers by hand to see how soon they'll accept them
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Post by bitbyter on Sept 16, 2012 23:18:06 GMT -5
Well, the two separate feedings seem to be going better. This morning in I gave them 2.5 oz of half ground, half soup. Wilma ate half right away and Socks ate a tiny bit. When I came to give them their evening meal only a tiny bit was left (I'd guesstimate 1/4 of an oz maybe less).
This evening again I gave them the same amount as above and Socks ate most of it with Wilma only eating a small amount.
I wonder if they are just on different schedules? With Wilma primarily eating in the morning and Socks mainly in the evening? I didn't have time today for a weigh in but I'll do it as soon as I get home from work tomorrow.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 17, 2012 10:33:38 GMT -5
It's quite possible they do. But the fact they ate 1/2 and 1/2 is wonderful Next time, up it to 3/4 ground and 1/4 soup.
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Post by bitbyter on Sept 17, 2012 16:12:17 GMT -5
Ok so weigh in time:
Wilma is 1 lbs 13 oz (down 3 oz)
Socks is 1 lbs 8 oz (down 1 oz)
Wilma is back to where she was before the switch but I expected this as she was protesting the inclusion of ground in the soup for a while there. She is also not making a total pig of herself like she was. Socks is down a bit but still better than when she was on the kibble.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 17, 2012 16:41:49 GMT -5
Those aren't too bad. Just keep a close eye on them that they don't start dropping too much more.
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Post by bitbyter on Sept 19, 2012 13:55:23 GMT -5
Afternoon Sherry,
On the food front the split feedings are working perfectly. I am feeding them 2.5 oz morning and evening. When I switch the plates there is usually only about 1/2 tsp leftover so I'm feeling a lot better about not throwing out all this food. The mixture is almost 90% ground now but I think I'm going to have to up the eggshell content a bit (see below).
Wilma's bum has acted up to the point that I started with the Prep H last night. It is not sticking out anymore than 1 to 2 mm but it looks swollen and is a bit crusty looking. It doesn't seem to be subsiding either. I called my vet and he suggested cortisone cream instead of prep h to help with the swelling (kind of looks like a boxer's cauliflower ear). It does seem to be bothering her as she is scooting quite a bit which is probably why it is swollen and crusty. He also suggested increasing the amount of pumpkin I am giving them for their meals. How much do you think I should give her directly? I have been adding 1 tsp to their meals so in theory she should be getting ~ 1 tsp already. The tough part is going to be keeping her busy so she just doesn't scoot the ointment off. Any suggestions?
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Post by Sherry on Sept 19, 2012 14:26:05 GMT -5
Personally, I don't like using cortisones or steroids when something else can do the trick(prep h). Also, definitely up the eggshell for her. Some have higher requirements than others. Try that first before upping the pumpkin. You should notice a difference in a day or so with the increased eggshell. Mix it up as per usual for both, and then give her another 1/4 tsp on one of her servings. Since they are pretty much all ground, now is the time to start adding in slivers of meat just a bit larger than ground, pretty much in the same pattern you added the ground to the puree.
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Post by bitbyter on Sept 19, 2012 21:41:08 GMT -5
I just saw Wilma chowing down on their dinner tonight, get to a sliver of meat, pull it out the of the mix and proceed to chew on it and swallow it. No hesitation at all. Socks isn't hungry at the moment so I'll have to see the results in the morning.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 19, 2012 22:01:45 GMT -5
Excellent!!! Keep offering them, even by hand as treats. Let me know how Socks takes to them Start increasing the slivers every meal with Wilma since she's not phased by it and when you get about half and half also start increasing the size.
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Post by bitbyter on Sept 19, 2012 22:11:46 GMT -5
Also just did the second round of Prep H on Wilma. Her bum is looking a bit better (not as raw and she doesn't seem to be scooting anymore) but I think it will all come down to how her bowl movements are with the extra egg shell.
I tell you, when doing ear cleanings, bum medications and I imagine oral medications (fingers crossed as I haven't had to do this yet) an extra pair of hands around the house would be really useful. Ferrets certainly are escape artists when they don't want to be held, even if you are trying to help them out!! ;D
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