From:
Christopher
Date: 2001-02-19 00:52:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Hi
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., E- Z Huston Jewell <pockwockie@w...>
wrote:
> you think this little guy, who is the absolutely sweetest guy, could
> have had a spontaneous break because of the poor nutrition, ie lack
> calcium? Could I help buy giving some Calcium suppliment? How much
> should he have? I am going to have the vet do a workup on blood
I'd run the calcium supplement idea by your vet. Have to be careful
with supplements. Too much calcium or phosphorus can lead to kidney
or bladder stones. Ferrets on a kibble with alot of plant protein are
already susceptable to bladder stones. Throw off the calcium to
phosphorous ratio and he won't absorb iron, now we have anemia. To
much calcium and he stops absorbing manganese.
Just my opinion, but the best supplement to a good diet is a varied
diet. A little of this and a little of that, this might be a good
time to introduce him to chicken bones or other natural sources of
calcium like eggshell broken up in scrambled egg. Ferrets for Dummies
has a great section on feeding natural foods. Wow, I bet your skunks
would freak over that treat. LOL There are alot of calcium rich foods
he would have encountered in the wild without having to go anywhere
near dairy. (I personally can't do the live food thing, but I do
supplement kibble which is always available with a variety of treats
like scrambled egg with shell to make sure my kids are getting what
they need)
I think getting him on a good diet as you have and giving him the
love and medical care that you are probably has him already on the
mend from such a rough start in life.
Tickletacklehugglepounce
Christopher & Crew