From:
"joclynatuo"
Date: 2007-12-27 18:59:42 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: New ferret won't eat
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
it goes without saying that they should be seen by your vet - they
need full exams and testing to make sure they don't have anything
that could be transmitted to your others. i would keep them
segregated until you've got clean bill of health for both. they're
also going to need shots since you've got no records from the
previous owner.
they're in a new situation; for the second time in less than a
months time. poor things are totally stressed and it's no wonder
they aren't eating too much!!
they need time to adjust to the new surroundings and they need time
to get to know you and develop a bit of trust that they aren't going
to be uprooted again. spend some time with them each day - short
periods a few times a day - and they'll get past the initial shock
of all the recent moves they've experienced and will start eating
again. talk to them - even if you're not in the room or are going
in/out while cleaning or whatever. the more often they hear you, the
sooner they will get comfortable. if you can't take them out for
playtime, just a quick stop by the cage to acknowledge them and
opening the door to give them a quick pet will do wonders.
playtimes should be fairly short initially. they'll do more
exploring as opposed to interacting with you initially. especially
if they've not been out of the cage much previously. it'll be a
couple of weeks before they really start to interact with you
without you initiating something first, so be prepared for it.
stress like this can bring on medical conditions and i'd definitely
have the vet investigate insulinoma in bandits case. although, just
the fact of not eating normally will make the sugars low, so it
could be a false reading. does he do any stumbling or staring off
into space? if so, they, along with the excessive sleeping, are
signs of insulinoma. just something to think about and bring up to
the vet.
as for food, try the turkey baby food as it has more flavor/aroma
than the chicken and definitely heat it up a bit. you could also
try the veal.
another thing to try is evo. both the kibble (cat or ferret and
even the dog version is okay) and the canned. i had a terrific
response, from all my kids, to the evo canned dog food - the rabbit
in particular (it also comes in poultry, venison, beef and duck).
my ibd girl just gobbled the stuff up like i couldn't believe!!
she's always been a bit picky - not with this though. and it's 95%
meat, so that's a big plus.
as already stated, try offering the food from your finger - that
usually will get them going. if you have to use the syringe and
aren't sure about how to do it, definitely have the vet show you the
proper way to do it. even if you are doing handfeedings, still
always leave some kibble available - just in case they get hungry in
between feedings.
i wouldn't worry too much about doing intro's right now. let the
two newbies become fully accustomed/adjusted to the new house - for
at least 2-3 weeks - and then start working on the integration
(switching out hammy's and bedding, moving the cage into the room
where the other one is, etc).
good luck with everything!
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