From:
ferretgm
Date: 2007-11-17 15:42:13 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re:Ripper - Not a blockage, but close
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Ripper is doing better today, thank you! He apparently objected to having the litter box in the top part of the cage (it always used to be in the 'downstairs') and woke me up three times last night to take him to a puppy pad outside the cage to pee. He's also wide-awake and interested in things -- for about five minutes at a time, several times a day. *G* The pain meds keep him kind of sleepy, I think. Probably for the best, though - he was a very physical ferret when he felt well, and I'd hate for him to over-do things and hurt himself.
Regarding the food, the vet gave me this powdered food - "Carnivore Care" that I am supposed to mix with water to syringe-feed him until he is eating on his own. He will eat it grudgingly, but definitely doesn't like it very much. It is supposed to be high-protein (which I am sure it is) but it smells like baby cereal. I think I might try mixing a little of the powdered stuff with mostly-baby-food to see if he will accept that better, and then give him the amount volume-wise that the vet said he should have. Making his meal-times as unstressful as possible is a good thing for all of us, I think.
As I have had more time to consider things, I do wonder if the fat wasn't at least primarily caused by the stomach problems (distended stomach leading to needing to eat way more food than normal to feel full, which caused stomach to stretch even more, etc.) plus inability to exercise due to pain.
I do really appreciate the comments, both yours and those of others. This has all been rather disconcerting for me.
Thanks again!
Melissa
Angela Espinet <shelterwoman@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello Jen,
Hope Ripper is doing better today! Being
confined will help him recover more quickly, however
taking him off babyfood is not a good idea, especially
after such an extensive surgery.
Babyfood is easily assimilated by the body,
easily digested and is rich in protein, a necessity to
healing. It sounds to me as if the cause of his
problems were the cause of his weight gain, NOT the
babyfood. Since he needs to eat a simple food to
recover then keep him on the babyfood at least until
he is well, at that time you might consider cutting
back, but hopefully not need to. Once he is well he
should be excercising more!---Angela.
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