Ferret Diet Problems

I'd get them to the vet ASAP because ferrets can go downhill quickly. I'd
rather err on the side of caution than wait too long and lose my ferret.

Ferretone can go rancid if you pour it over the food. I'd stop doing that
personally. In my opinion I'd use the Sheppard and Greene and maybe at
least one more kind of ferret food or high quality kitten food (Iams Kitten)
and mix those together and feed moistened. You also have to remember that
you can overdose them on Ferretone (too much Vitamin A), that's why a lot of
people cut it with olive oil.

Please let us know what you find out from the vet.

Holly


"S. Chancellor" <dnewsgr.RemoveThis@mephit.kicks-ass.org> wrote in message
news:2006022523590343658-dnewsgr@mephitkicksassorg...
> Hi,
> I'm having trouble with my new ferrets. These are my first ferrets, one I
> got a week ago, and one thursday for her as a playmate. She seems to be
> kind of lethargic and has grainy poo. I thought it was me being stupid,
> because I failed to read that they needed moistened food. So I started
> feeding her moistened food, and added duck soup and FerreTone to it in
> order to try and help her recover. It seems that my other new ferret from
> thursday, the same day she got sicker, is having this problem now (as of
> today) Also it seems the FerreTone and whatever other fat is completely
> undigested, and is visible in his stool.
>
> Please help me with my sick ferrets!
>
> -S.
>
> PS:
>
> This is what I'm feeding them now:
>
> 2 parts Shepperd & Greene Premium ferret food
> 1 part Duck Soup
> 1 tblspoon FerreVite
> 1 tblspoon FerreTone
> water to make it like oatmeal
>
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

Sounds like a trip to the vet ASAP is in order.

Then find you a copy of 'Ferrets for Dummies'. Not to say you are a dummy,
but it is a great book for newbies to ferrets. But even long time ferret
slaves have found it informative and useful. I believe you can even
purchase a used copy from Amazon.com. You will enjoy the reading as well as
what you can learn.

Julia
Riley and SallyMae
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

On 2006-02-26 00:43:03 -0800, "Steve Robinson"
<steve DeleteThis @colevalleyinteriors.co.uk> said:

>
> "S. Chancellor" <dnewsgr DeleteThis @mephit.kicks-ass.org> wrote in message
> news:2006022523590343658-dnewsgr@mephitkicksassorg...
>> Hi,
>> I'm having trouble with my new ferrets. These are my first ferrets,
>> one I got a week ago, and one thursday for her as a playmate. She
>> seems to be kind of lethargic and has grainy poo. I thought it was me
>> being stupid, because I failed to read that they needed moistened food.
>> So I started feeding her moistened food, and added duck soup and
>> FerreTone to it in order to try and help her recover. It seems that my
>> other new ferret from thursday, the same day she got sicker, is having
>> this problem now (as of today) Also it seems the FerreTone and
>> whatever other fat is completely undigested, and is visible in his
>> stool.
>>
>> Please help me with my sick ferrets!
>>
>> -S.
>>
>
> Are you feeding them a similar diet to the breeder if not this could
> be the problem

They were eating the food fine dry. These are both Marshall ferrets
and I was told to stay far far away from Marshall's pet food.

> Best option either way is take them to the vet and get them checked out

Yeah. Cal (the boy) is going in for his distemper next week, I'll take
her in with him.

-S.
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

On 2006-02-26 06:26:55 -0800, "Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper.RemoveThis@tm.net> said:

> I'd get them to the vet ASAP because ferrets can go downhill quickly. I'd
> rather err on the side of caution than wait too long and lose my ferret.
>
> Ferretone can go rancid if you pour it over the food. I'd stop doing that
> personally. In my opinion I'd use the Sheppard and Greene and maybe at
> least one more kind of ferret food or high quality kitten food (Iams Kitten)
> and mix those together and feed moistened. You also have to remember that
> you can overdose them on Ferretone (too much Vitamin A), that's why a lot of
> people cut it with olive oil.
>
> Please let us know what you find out from the vet.
>
> Holly

Ooo.. I didn't know that. I will have to cut back on that. Maybe I'll
try just feeding them wet food again. I guess maybe I err'd on the
side of too rich of a food. They won't eat the ferretone or ferrevite
without their food though. Maybe I'll try giving them just a little a
week or so from now if they're feeling better.

-S.
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

"S. Chancellor" <dnewsgr.RemoveThis@mephit.kicks-ass.org> wrote in message
news:2006022608372016807-dnewsgr@mephitkicksassorg...
> On 2006-02-26 00:43:03 -0800, "Steve Robinson"
> <steve.RemoveThis@colevalleyinteriors.co.uk> said:
>
>>
>> "S. Chancellor" <dnewsgr.RemoveThis@mephit.kicks-ass.org> wrote in message
>> news:2006022523590343658-dnewsgr@mephitkicksassorg...
>>> Hi,
>>> I'm having trouble with my new ferrets. These are my first ferrets, one
>>> I got a week ago, and one thursday for her as a playmate. She seems to
>>> be kind of lethargic and has grainy poo. I thought it was me being
>>> stupid, because I failed to read that they needed moistened food. So I
>>> started feeding her moistened food, and added duck soup and FerreTone to
>>> it in order to try and help her recover. It seems that my other new
>>> ferret from thursday, the same day she got sicker, is having this
>>> problem now (as of today) Also it seems the FerreTone and whatever
>>> other fat is completely undigested, and is visible in his stool.
>>>
>>> Please help me with my sick ferrets!
>>>
>>> -S.
>>>
>>
>> Are you feeding them a similar diet to the breeder if not this could be
>> the problem
>
> They were eating the food fine dry. These are both Marshall ferrets and I
> was told to stay far far away from Marshall's pet food.
>
>> Best option either way is take them to the vet and get them checked out
>
> Yeah. Cal (the boy) is going in for his distemper next week, I'll take
> her in with him.
>
> -S.

Next week is not good enough , you should seek help tomorrow , ferrets and
other small animals will not survive very long without food or with
digestive problems
When you get new ferrets you should not change the diet straight away ,
allow them to settle in then change the diet slowly

Never feed them food that should be moistened , dry it can expand in the
stomach and cause them a lot of pain ( has been known to kill them although
rarely).
If they have been bought up moist kitten food , introduce dry food slowly ,
a straight swap will cause constipation
Always have water available
Don't overdose them on ferretone or the likes , they don't need it give it
to them as a treat , don't smother the food in it

You can buy proper ferret food although it can be more costly

One of the tricks i use to check if the gut is clear is to feed them a raw
egg including yoke , check the poop and you will see the yellow from the egg
, you then know that the guts not blocked (egg one ferret at a time)

I tend to feed my crew dry ferret food , it doesn't go off in the bowel ,
it doesn't get flyblown in the summer and as the little buggers like to
stash it everywhere
it saves cleaning the pen twice every day and food covered ferrets

What type of pen do you keep them in , if its home made make sure the timber
is not treated with timber preservative , many timber preservatives contain
copper arsenic or tar oils , not good for fuzzes
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

"S. Chancellor" <dnewsgr DeleteThis @mephit.kicks-ass.org> wrote in message
news:2006022608393075249-dnewsgr@mephitkicksassorg...
> On 2006-02-26 06:26:55 -0800, "Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper DeleteThis @tm.net>
> said:
>
>> I'd get them to the vet ASAP because ferrets can go downhill quickly.
>> I'd
>> rather err on the side of caution than wait too long and lose my ferret.
>>
>> Ferretone can go rancid if you pour it over the food. I'd stop doing
>> that
>> personally. In my opinion I'd use the Sheppard and Greene and maybe at
>> least one more kind of ferret food or high quality kitten food (Iams
>> Kitten)
>> and mix those together and feed moistened. You also have to remember
>> that
>> you can overdose them on Ferretone (too much Vitamin A), that's why a lot
>> of
>> people cut it with olive oil.
>>
>> Please let us know what you find out from the vet.
>>
>> Holly
>
> Ooo.. I didn't know that. I will have to cut back on that. Maybe I'll
> try just feeding them wet food again. I guess maybe I err'd on the side
> of too rich of a food. They won't eat the ferretone or ferrevite without
> their food though. Maybe I'll try giving them just a little a week or so
> from now if they're feeling better.
>

Look on a site called ferrets central they will have info that will help you
as a new owner

there used to be a guy called cap who used to post here , pretty well clued
up on ferrets ,
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

Oops, I forgot to add....keep water available at all times. Its good
to have both a water bottle and a bowl. They'll drink more from a
bowl, but may tip it or make a mess with it, and a backup bottle is
always good so they'll never be without.
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

Oops, forgot to mention that. Thanks, Julia! :) Definitely pick up
Ferrets for Dummies. Most of us feel it's the Ferret Bible. :)

Holly

"msjdoolittle" <msjdoolittle.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:FrmMf.173257$WH.97450@dukeread01...
> Sounds like a trip to the vet ASAP is in order.
>
> Then find you a copy of 'Ferrets for Dummies'. Not to say you are a
> dummy, but it is a great book for newbies to ferrets. But even long time
> ferret slaves have found it informative and useful. I believe you can
> even purchase a used copy from Amazon.com. You will enjoy the reading as
> well as what you can learn.
>
> Julia
> Riley and SallyMae
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

They will in due time. They're still kits (most I've seen won't have the
attention span for ferretone until they're older.) :) It's good that
you're getting them used to it, but they really don't need as much as you're
giving (at least that's my guess). I still recommend that you visit the vet
sooner rather than later though.

Holly

"S. Chancellor" <dnewsgr DeleteThis @mephit.kicks-ass.org> wrote in message
news:2006022608393075249-dnewsgr@mephitkicksassorg...
> On 2006-02-26 06:26:55 -0800, "Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper DeleteThis @tm.net>
> said:
>
>> I'd get them to the vet ASAP because ferrets can go downhill quickly.
>> I'd
>> rather err on the side of caution than wait too long and lose my ferret.
>>
>> Ferretone can go rancid if you pour it over the food. I'd stop doing
>> that
>> personally. In my opinion I'd use the Sheppard and Greene and maybe at
>> least one more kind of ferret food or high quality kitten food (Iams
>> Kitten)
>> and mix those together and feed moistened. You also have to remember
>> that
>> you can overdose them on Ferretone (too much Vitamin A), that's why a lot
>> of
>> people cut it with olive oil.
>>
>> Please let us know what you find out from the vet.
>>
>> Holly
>
> Ooo.. I didn't know that. I will have to cut back on that. Maybe I'll
> try just feeding them wet food again. I guess maybe I err'd on the side
> of too rich of a food. They won't eat the ferretone or ferrevite without
> their food though. Maybe I'll try giving them just a little a week or so
> from now if they're feeling better.
>
> -S.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

On 2006-02-26 14:27:18 -0800, "Steve Robinson"
<steve RemoveThis @colevalleyinteriors.co.uk> said:

> They will eat eggs , its one of the natural foods they eat in thhe wild ,
> try giving her a bit on your finger it will still show up as a little
> yellow strip
>
> if she dont like it dont force her ferrets are like people some love
> eggs others hate them

Neither of my ferrets seemed to like the egg, but both of them seem to
be doing much better now and are alot more energetic again. Their poo
looks 'normal' again now that I've stopped feeding them dry food and
FerreTone to them for a couple days.

Thanks for your help. I was really worried about them.

-S.
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

"S. Chancellor" <dnewsgr.DeleteThis@mephit.kicks-ass.org> wrote in message
news:2006022623385143658-dnewsgr@mephitkicksassorg...
> On 2006-02-26 14:27:18 -0800, "Steve Robinson"
> <steve.DeleteThis@colevalleyinteriors.co.uk> said:
>
>> They will eat eggs , its one of the natural foods they eat in thhe wild ,
>> try giving her a bit on your finger it will still show up as a little
>> yellow strip
>>
>> if she dont like it dont force her ferrets are like people some love
>> eggs others hate them
>
> Neither of my ferrets seemed to like the egg, but both of them seem to be
> doing much better now and are alot more energetic again. Their poo looks
> 'normal' again now that I've stopped feeding them dry food and FerreTone
> to them for a couple days.
>
> Thanks for your help. I was really worried about them.
>
> -S.
>

one thing i should have said eggs are an occasional treat or to check poop
routes like anything too much of a good thing is bad
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems 

I disagree, there is something wrong with Marshall's food. It stinks. I
mean hold your nose stinks. Makes for smellier poops, but if you can
deal with that, it's not a bad food.
 >> Stay informed about: Ferret Diet Problems