From:
Danee DeVore
Date: 2001-07-31 19:11:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Refusing to eat and fighting it hard.
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Margie" <dookdook@h...> wrote:
> We are trying to force feed Bubba. But he clenches his teeth and
> fights it every step of the way. The diet is the same one, he
always
> likes. Chicken baby food, pedialyte, honey, and Deliver 2.0. He
is
> on Pepcid A/C orally and Baytril by injection.
>
> Margie
I have not had to deal with this kind of refusal to eat since I had
ECE go through here years ago. (I am not suggesting Bubba has ECE,
just saying that I have not delt with this for a long time) At that
time, what I would do is water done the soup I was using, so it would
go through a feeding syringe. Then, I would srcuff the ferret, and
insert the syringe between the back teeth. Normally, even when the
jaw is tightly closed, there is some wiggle room back there. Then I
wouls slowly squeeze the food in.
When doing this, you need to make sure the food is of uniform
consistancy. If there are lumps, the syringe may clog, and then
suddenly give way, squirting a large dose of food into the mouth. If
that happens, you could end up choking the ferret. It is important
with this method to put the food in slowly, so the ferret has time to
swollow.
Danee