From:
autumn_whispers2me
Date: 2005-01-13 22:20:19 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] help please - rapid weight loss!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20050113222019.77099.qmail@web54506.mail.yahoo.com>
My Boo-Boo went down to a skeletal 2 lbs (still working on exact medical issues) and the way we put weight on him FAST (almost too fast) was by using the Bob Church's Chicken Gravy recipe, sans bones, eggshells, and the extra cup of fat. In addition to the gravy we also gave him Nutra-Cal after every feeding faithfully... until he started getting too fat.
We do put A/D food in with it, and have put a little chicken baby food in it, too.
At first I had to scruff him and syringe force feed him. His ulcers made eating painful so he wasn't willing to eat on his own at all. So you may have to scruff and force feed Kuna until her appetite perks up enough, until she developes a liking for the new food. I don't know anything about her medical issues, so I can't comment on that at all. But if you're looking to put weight on her, that stuff works great. Boo-Boo put on 1.5 lbs in 2 weeks, then the following week put on an additional 6oz. Now he's over his normal, pre-illness weight by 6oz.
I believe the archives (even recent posts about Boo-Boo) have the link to the recipe. Do check with your vet regarding any dietary restrictions, etc. they may have for Kuna. Our vet is completely against bones and eggshells in the food, and we leave out the extra fat for Boo-Boo (which he still gained on), and your vet may also have his or her own restrictions regarding this.
Good luck, and feel free to email me privately if you wish.
maja.conc@volja.net wrote:
Hi. My ferret Kuna is diagnosed insulinoma. In past 12 days her weight has dropped rapidly - from 765 grams to 690 grams - which is the lower weight she ever had. Her normal weight was 850 and for the past two monthes we were able to keep it stable on 750-770. She was put on medications on saturday - we started with 0,2mg/12 hours and I higher the amount on 0,5mg/12 hours two days ago, after consulting with my vet. She got Medrol - the active substanec is metilprednisone - should we change the meds? We were also discussing operation possibility, since she is ok othervise - we did a complete blood check and all values were normal, but now I don't think it would be a good idea to put her under anesthesia...
As I said, 10 days ago, she strted to loosing weight rapidly - she looks like a skeleton at the moment. I am worried becuse she also refuses to eat. I have to hand feed her most of the time, but it doesn't help much. I try to make her as caloric meals as possible. I mix soaked and mashed kibble with mashed chicken/turkey mix, I also put egg and some olive oil in it...
Any suggestions?
thnx, Maja & Kuna
For the love of ferrets and the human hearts they hold...
Ella, Pixie, Boo-Boo, Peanut, and Tocho, and the bassets, Josie & Julep
www.autumnwhisperstome.com/Invision (weight loss forum)
www.thecorridors.com
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