Danny-
 
You wrote:
 
>He now volunteers perhaps 3cc of food simply to please me.
 
BINGO!
 
That's what they do when they're sick - eat just to please us, which is
why the amt they eat is so small.  Also, if I'm not mistaken, I think
when dealing with most GI prolems, it's best to feed smaller quantities
more frequently -less stress on  the GI system.
 
Judi Bell also mentions this in her book - that sick ferrets generally
only take a few bites to make us happy, so the trick is to feed small
amts frequently.  I know with school and work schedules this can be
difficult, but when you're home you might want to try small feedings
every hour.
 
Hopefully this will be less stressful.  You don't need to force as much
because you know you're going to do this again in an hour, consequently
Buster isn't stressing out because you're not forcing more than he's
willing to take.
 
I know it's important to get them to eat, but think about how you feel when
you're stomach is upset.  WOuld you let your mother sit ther and shove big
quantities of food down your throat if you were feeling nauseated?
 
Try maybe just a couple of cc's instead of 3, just do it more often.
 
Hopefully it won't be long before you hear the chomp, chomp, chomp
of Buster eating dry food like Rochelle has with Fez.
 
Debbie Riccio
WNYFLFA
Rochester, NY
[Posted in FML issue 1293]