From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-02-10 16:55:29 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Feeding a sick ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20030210115529.2b9890aa.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
On Sun, 9 Feb 2003 20:05:36 +0000 (GMT+00:00)
aforcebrat@aol.com wrote:
> I am curious about what is safe to feed to a recovering ferret.
First, I agree with everything Sukie wrote. Additionally...
> Can a ferret
> properly digest human foods like Ensure and baby food?
I don't think it's a question of what a ferret can digest, but what a
ferret in a compromised condition can *best* digest and *best* promote
recovery. I am a believer in Bob Church's Chicken Gravy, and so is our
vet. It provides complete nutrition and is relatively easy to digest.
It does seem to aid in recovery and in putting lost weight back on.
Info is at: http://www.trifl.org/gravy.html
I fully realize making gravy takes an hour and a half to two hours of
work. What I do is make one or two large whole chickens at a time using
Pam Sessoms' pressure cooker method and freeze the bulf of it. I thaw
it in the fridge when needed and microwave it on low for about 17-20
seconds to get it warm for servings. My ferts always prefer it warm.
It's also a great place to hide meds as most ferrets seem to develop a
love for gravy very quickly. Pertwee knows when it's med time and he's
always awake and running to me when he thinks he's going to get gravy.
Also, Nutrical or Ferretvite is a great way to add easily digested
calories to an underweight ferret's diet during a recovery period. It's
mostly sugary stuff, so I don't use it with ferrets with insulinoma
(unless I need to bring blood sugar up ASAP) or as more than a
supplement, though. Again, my weasels mostly love it and think it's a
treat.
I hope this helps.
As always, the usual disclaimer applies. I am not a vet, just a ferret
owner with a lot less experience than Sukie, but too much experience
with sick/compromised/recovering ferts.
All the best,
Caity