GEnie Pet-Net RT
Sat Apr 04, 1992
A.GRUDEN [Ann] at 07:56 EST
Katie & Jeff -
Re: helping to put weight on Bandit.
A "recipe" for convalescing ferrets was uploaded to Genie called
"Duck Soup." It's base ingredient is a dietary product called
Sustacal. It's available in pharmaices in either the baby or
dietary supplement section and comes in several flavors. I
believe it's similar to those liquid protein/weight gain formulas
for convalescing humans. It has no dairy products and is high in
both protein (from soy) and fat.
Our Isabel is nearly 5, and every Spring begins to loose weight.
We've started supplemental feeding Sustacal to her, and it's
improved both her weight and her activity level, dramatically.
When the can is opened, it only has a refrigerator shelf life of
48 hours -however, it freezes well (we freeze it in ice cube
trays and then store the cubes in a closed container. She gets
one defrosted cube in the AM and PM (she prefers it room
temperature - some seem to like it warmed slightly in the
microwave). It tastes like milkshake and at first we had to give
it to her via a baby medicine syringe - but now she eagerly looks
forward to it every day.
I highly recommend it for helping maintain a ferret's weight. BTW
- she is still eating her regular food - this should not be a
replacement for their regular diet - rather use it as a
supplement.
The original Duck Soup formula was posted by Ann & Howard Davis
and was a last ditch effort for one of their ferrets that was
extremely ill and wasn't eating at all. The recipie follows:
1 Can Sustacal - 8 oz.
1 can Water - 8 oz.
2 scoops KMR Kitten Weaning Formula optional - but good KMR
kitten milk replacement would be a good subsitute.
4 oz. ProPlan Growth Formula (or equivalent dry food) soaked in
enough water to cover and soften completely.
Mix thoroughly (by hand or with mixer). Serve warmed to the
temperature of baby formula - about 4 fluid ounces at a time -
twice a day for maintenance. Also freezes well.
For very finicky eaters, they mention mixing 50/50 with
evaporated milk - a couple of tablespoons at a time, twice a day
(evap milk being dairy).
As Isabel eats her regular food as what is normal for her - we
just use the Sustacal - straight. It may help with Bandit.
BTW - Isabel was the ferret who won "lightest jill" at Nancy's
fun fest. Two weeks earlier - she weighted 1 1/2 ounces less! So
it works! When she's back to her normal 1 pound 3 ounce weight,
we'll cut back on the Sustacal supplements - but for the time
being, she still needs to gain another ounce or so.
Ann
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Sat Apr 04, 1992
P.GRANT6 [Pam/Pet Pals] at 11:25 EST
Jennifer Au - shame on you!!! Hope M&M does not have any
problems and everything works out alright.
Ferret Stuff has moved from virginia Beach so if you sent your
order there they may have never received it or it could have been
forwarded late. Call Ferret Stuff at 703-265-1944 (formerly
804-479-4948)
Ferret Fair is usually reasonable about delivery. I usually
order $200 worth of things at a time and get my order within a
month. The gal who is Ferret Fair hand makes the Snooze toobzes,
sleep slingzs and tents by hand be herself most times so be
patient with orders on those. Her sewing machine went out on her
a few weeks ago, but she should be in gear by now. Her name is
Mary Van Dahm and she prefers not to have her home phone given
out for ferret fair orders, but you can probably reach her
through the Greater Chicago Ferret Association's shelter
708-964-GCFA.
BITING: Use Bitter Apple on the tender parts - it leaves a
nasty taste in their mouths when they nip. If the biting really
is getting out of hand, my fool proof method is to bite them
back. Just hurt them enough to get the message across, not to
maim them. I like to insert their snouts and put pressure on the
bridge of their nose. I've only had to do this method with about
4 ferrets out of 600, and never more than two "treatments" before
they get the message.
If anyone on Internet would like to receive literature on care,
diet and training of ferrets, please send a SASE to Pam Grant,
Pet Pals Ferrets, 7402 Joseph Court, Annandale, VA 22003 of
703-354-5073. I'm on GEnie at P.GRANT6 and have a nice person
forwarding my messages to you and yours to me, but I can't
effectively answer all questions in this manner.
Thanks, Pam
[Posted in FML issue 0244]
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