From:
"Lisa Oestereich"
Date: 2004-01-13 20:07:21 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Higher protein for one kidney -- right? Other Q's
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <A8C42D63C15528428F9261BA7E34ED9BFA51@prime.ad.leedg.com>
Mary,
There's nothing more frustrating that a sick or rehabilitating ferret that =
won't eat!!!!
I've had the same problem with my picky eaters during post-op. The only th=
ing I've had success with was putting their regular food in a food processo=
r, grinding it into a powder, mix it with a can of Sustical (non-dairy with=
the extra vitamins) or the other name brand of meal replacer (it escapes m=
e at this moment) until it's "pudding like", mix in some NutriCal or Ferret=
one, pour into ice cube trays (for individual "meals"). I take one cube ou=
t, put it in the microwave until nice and warm (test with fingers first!!!!=
). I also think that many of them do much better if you spoon feed them. =
I've had ferrets that wouldn't touch the stuff if you put it in their cage,=
but wolf the whole thing down if you put them on your lap and spoon feed t=
hem. Go figure. But by using their normal food, I think it appeals to the=
m. You may also want to put some Timmy's Tonic in it as well.
All the best,
Lisa
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary R Shefferman [mailto:mary@modernferret.com] =
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2004 12:05 PM
To: Ferret Health List
Hi Everyone,
Our Trixie (7 y.o.) had adrenal surgery a couple of weeks ago -- at that ti=
me
she also had a kidney removed (hydronephresis). She has lost some weight
since the surgery despite eating regularly. She does not like new foods. I =
have
tried to feed her a/d and chicken baby food (still trying!), but she gags a=
nd acts
like I'm poisoning her. I've tried Lactaid milk (Trixie says, "YUCK!") and =
protein
drinks (Trixie says, "BIG YUCK!") -- protein drinks like EAS Myoplex (lacto=
se
free). She takes Ferretvite, but I hate to put that much sugar into her. Sh=
e'll take
treats (like Ferretbites) but those are also not nutritionally sound for he=
r.
The questions (or statements for verification) are:
- She needs *higher* protein because of the one kidney thing (and age), rig=
ht?
- Any other suggestions for high protein that she might like (believe it or=
not,
we have tried since she was a youngster to get her to eat all sorts of thin=
gs, but
she is very melodramatic about her dislikes -- she backs away gagging if sh=
e
*smells* something she doesn't like).
- Is there any kind of SAFE thing to give her to stimulate her appetite? (I=
considered for a moment that prednisone increases appetite, but I don't wan=
t
her on meds she doesn't need.)
Thanks for any help!
--Mary & the Fuzz
-
Mary R. Shefferman, Editor etc., Modern Ferret Magazine
New! Online journal - www.modernferretblog.com/mary
Mary and the fuzzies: Trixie and Gabrielle
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