From:
"Diane Wall"
Date: 2003-11-26 15:31:52 UTC
Subject: reply to "Is she sick"
To: <princesspunkrock83@hotmail.com>
Cc: "Ferret Digest" <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <!~!UENERkVCMDkAAQACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgAAAAAAAAAS+0b9wJ+T0an1kr7NkkWw8KAAAAQAAAA0gnEdyQNf0GQJHFzmU/m9gEAAAAA@harbormortgage.com>
I didn't see a response to your question on the most recent digest so I
have a few suggestions. First off, I know that you are doing well by
feeding your little ferrets with a high quality kitten food and canned
ferret food. Although kitten food has lots of good stuff, it is really
the ferret food that will give them some things that the kitten food
does not. Please look on your ferrets ears to see if there are any blue
dots tattooed on their ears. Chances are they are Marshall Farms breed
kits (baby ferrets). May I suggest that you add some Marshall Farms
ferret food (kibble, dry food available in most pet stores or one line
at www.theferretstore.com) to the kitten food that you are giving them.
Also, growing ferrets need a little help in developing their digestive
system. At the breeder they make them a soupy mixture (warm water,
couple of squirts of ferretone and dry kibble) wait until the warm water
dissolves the dry food a bit and then give it to them. They should lap
it up. This is also helpful for ferrets who are not feeling well to get
them to eat. I give my five a mixture of Iams Kitten Food and Marshall
Ferret Food. This way they will always eat something in case I run out
of one or the other. The going to the litter box and not going is
worrisome and you should bring her to the vet right away. She could
have eaten something that you didn't see, or ingested some bedding which
could cause a blockage and or permanent damage to her digestive system.
Until you get her there, keep giving her the warm water & ferretone
mixture to ensure she is eating and getting lots of hydration with the
water. Several hours after eating, try giving her some laxatone or
plain Vaseline. If something is stuck inside her it may help her to pass
it. If after she comes home from the vet (make sure you have a very
good knowledgeable ferret vet) and they say she is ok. You may want to
try and give her a treat of heavy whipping cream as it has tons of fat
in it and may help her to gain some weight. Please post again on the
digest and let us know how she is doing!
Diane W and the Ferret Gang of Five