From:
tlawford@verizon.net
Date: 2004-05-13 00:51:57 UTC
Subject: Gerbers #2 Turkey & Gravy Food
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4981445.1084409517613.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I just want to confirm in spades some valuable advice our moderator Dr. B=
ruce WIlliams gave some time ago. While trying to handfeed a ferret which h=
as been made cachexic due to disease (gastric ulcer in my case) back to goo=
d health, it is terribly hard to find anything that the ferret will take to=
. They would rather die than try a new food in most cases. I tried ensure, =
similac, enfamil, all of the common baby foods and it was no go. Gagging, s=
pitting, yanking the head away. They Itried Dr. Williams suggestion of Gerb=
ers #2 Turkey and Turkey Gravy. Filled a 30 cc syringe (minus needle of cou=
rse) 2/3 full, microwaves it to about 103F, scruffed her and managed to for=
ce about 10 drops into her, then paused to let her experience the taste. Sh=
e eagerly slurped up the remaining 20cc. After a few sessions like this, I =
could then not scruff her, but just cup my hand in front of and under her n=
ose and chin, and let it drip from the syringe onto my fingers. She eagerly=
licked it off my fingers and seemed to be even more relaxed with this proc=
edure. Now after the feeding she licks the empty syringe hoping its not rea=
lly empty.
It has about 45% protein by calories, 12% carb, and 43% fat. Tastes good to=
me too, though thats beside the point. I am now addicting my well ferrets =
to it so that if they have a health crisis, I will have an immediate way to=
at least do a feeding rescue.
Thanks for the great tip Dr. Williams. Tom L of Reston
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