New Young Ferret Puking

[haruchai86]

Hi there, I just got a new four month old ferret (Have had her for one week now ) She is eating Living World - Extrusion (It is what they were feeding the ferrets at the pet store ) and she is using Yesterdays New's litter (also what she was using at the pet store) She was at the pet store for 2 weeks before I purchased her in a cage with two other males. Observations :

-Very well litter trained, she even goes back in her cage to use the potty if she is out and about.

-loves to lick people for a long time (sometimes bites hard afterwards)

- loves hide and seek and peek a boo

Anyways yesterday she was sneezing like crazy, I have heard this is normal in baby ferrets in a new home.
But today she has been throwing up, its light brown and mushy. Not just once but a few times, She usually chews on the cage wanting to get out and play, but today she just throws up then goes back to sleep (she goes in her litter box to throw up) If I let her out to play, she is ok and goes about playing and does not seem sick.

I have also noticed there are some semi digested yesterdays new's in her box. (so I think, it could also be that its just attached to her poo/pee)

If anyone has any info or advice that would be great. I am not the most well off person so I do not want to rush her to the vet unless I have to.

[cody n christina]

you should always bring any new pet to the vet for a check up even if they seam fine ..

i don't think Living World - Extrusion is a heath food. is there corn in it. ferrets cant digest corn..

[cody n christina]

ferretloversofac.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=care&action=display&thread=143

some info on foods that are healthy

[Johnny and Demon]

Welcome to the forum

Like Christina said, please don't feed your fuzzy Living World. There's no protein meat at all and its full of corn which can lead into intestinal blockages !
Ferrets need grain-free food, HIGH in meat proteins and low in carbs. Anything like Go ! Natural grain free for kitten, EVO Ferret or kitten, Orijen kitten or are good foods.

EVO Ferret Food

Orijen Kitten Food

Once again, I agree with Christina : I think you should still see a vet to make sure everything is ok. Most ferrets in pet stores have ear mites which should be treated as soon as possible or it might damaged your ferret ear drums. Even if they seem playfull and such, with these little furry balls, you never know...
Annual vet check are a must. Especialy, like Christina said, when you got a new pet or your ferret gets old (around 4-6 years old).

Here's a list of Ferret Experienced Veterinary Clinics in Atlantic Canada (from FLSAC website) :
www.flsatlanticcanada.org/ferretfriendlyveterinaryclinics

If you are a new ferret mom, I suggest you to read "Ferrets" (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) by Vickie Mckimmey or "Ferrets for Dummies" by Kim Schilling. They are both great books with tons of info about how to proper care for your ferret.

Ferrets (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) by Vickie Mckimmey

Ferrets for Dummies by Kim Schilling

This article from Tressie is a great start :
www.flsatlanticcanada.org/whatpetstoresdonttellyou

Good Luck

[haruchai86]

Thanks for the feedback, I will ask the vet to check her when I bring her in for her distemper shot and a question about those healthy ferret foods, are they easily purchasable at pet stores? I do not own a vehicle and am limited to taking the bus (I live in Moncton) Thanks again, I should probably pick up a book to lol But I have been learning a lot by reading on here and on other ferret fan websites.

[Camille]

Nov 18, 2010 21:56:00 GMT -4 haruchai86 said:

Thanks for the feedback, I will ask the vet to check her when I bring her in for her distemper shot and a question about those healthy ferret foods, are they easily purchasable at pet stores? I do not own a vehicle and am limited to taking the bus (I live in Moncton) Thanks again, I should probably pick up a book to lol But I have been learning a lot by reading on here and on other ferret fan websites.

The global pet foods in dieppe is accessible by taking the number 1 2 or express.

I usually go there as there the only ones that carry innova evo ferret food. I give my little guys innova evo mixed with Orijens cat food(Grain free cat food) Innova on its own is too rich for one of my ferrets stomachs so mixing it with the orijens evens it out. and i also happen to feed orijen to my cats.

Just speak with ashley Galanti the store manager, shes also a member of FLSAC she is a great asset to anyone getting into ferrets, willing to help you pick ferret foods toys etc. She helped me adopt my two little fuzzbutts

[Johnny and Demon]

(Most) Pet Stores, Grocery stores and any stores like Wal-Mart or Costco don't carry any quality foods that's the reason why many people shop at pet supply stores such as Global Pet Foods where you can find different kind of foods.
I also feed my ferrets a mix of Orijen and EVO Ferret. They love the foods and they are doing well on them. They have a soft coat and they are not smelling the "stinky ferret" like those who are fed cheap quality food. My cat loves Orijen too and he is not shedding like crazy like most cats do. His coat is soft, shinny and whitout flakes. Its amazing what quality foods do on your pets health ! .. & vet bill (as it keeps them as healthy as possible)

Like Camille said, Ashley will be more than happy to help you choose a quality food for your ferret ; she is very nice and know alot about them She also got tons of new toys for ferret ! lol

& If you are looking for a very knowledgable vet in Moncton area, I really suggest you Dr. Miro Drmac (he's in Riverview). He knows alot about ferrets and he has alot of experience with them, which is really important because ferrets aren't the usual pet.
Here's the website : www.vetcarepethospital.com/

& About the books, you can get them at Chapters

Once again, welcome to the forum !

PS: If your ferret is a RCF (Real Canadian Ferret), maybe you should read this, just in case .. since you said she is sneezing alot ..
ferretloversofac.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=topics&action=display&thread=333

[Tressie]

Hi!

I would make an appointment with Dr. Drmac in Riverview asap! There are 3 primary things that can cause vomiting in a ferret - an ulcer (unlikely); insulinoma (she's too young) and an obstruction (high probability).

It is also possible that she has a virus of some sort, although my bet would be a potential obstruction forming or formed! An obstruction is an emergency and requires veterinary emergency intervention.

Young ferrets are notorious for chewing on inedible things that end up causing an obstruction. The other thing that can cause obstructions are hairballs and this is the time of year ferrets are shedding.

During shedding season it is a good idea to give them FerretLax (about 1/2" ribbon) daily or petroleum jelly.

If I suspect a hairball obstruction forming I up the FerretLax to 1/2" - 1" ribbon a couple of times a day.

A ferret that is vomiting can quickly become dehydrated and is at risk of developing organ failure! Once organs begin to shut down its too late to turn around.

Pinch and twist GENTLY the skin between her shoulder blades - if it stays tented, this is an emergency and get her vet care immediately. If it slowly goes back, its not great and means she is already dehydrated and needs sub-q hydration. If it snaps back - she's okay!

Here's the contact info for Dr. Drmac:

Vet Care Pet Hospital
30 Trites Road
Riverview, NB E1B 2V6
Dr. Miro Drmac
[phone]

Good luck and keep us posted!

Tressie

[haruchai86]

Well damn she is a RCF I will also bring that up when I bring her to the vet, Thanks for the info on the vet aswell.

[Johnny and Demon]

Dr. Drmac is a very good vet !
Good luck with your "little" RCF & Keep us posted

[motherof2]

does anyone know if the Zupreem ferret food is ok to feed your ferrets?

[Johnny and Demon]

I'm not familiar with Zupreem but the general rules for a quality ferret food are
1- Grain Free
2- HIGH meat (no vegetables) protein
3- Low in carbs (fruits & vegetables).
4- The first 5 ingredients should be meat.
For example, this is the list of ingredients for EVO Ferret food (the first five are meat):

Turkey, Chicken Meal, Chicken, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat(Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a Natural Source of Vitamin E),
Peas, Eggs, Turkey Meal, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavors, Apples, Carrots,
Cranberries, Herring Oil, Tomatoes, Pumpkin, Dried Chicory Root,
Cottage Cheese, Alfalfa Sprouts, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Minerals
(Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese
Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Vitamin E Supplement, Betaine Hydrochloride,
Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate,
Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Beta Carotene,
Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine
Hydrochloride, Acid), Direct Fed Microbials (Dried Lactobacillus
acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei
Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product)

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (Min) 50.0%
Crude Fat (Min) 21.0%
Crude Fiber (Max) 1.5%
Moisture (Max) 10.0%
Carbohydrates NFE (Max) 8.0%
Linoleic Acid (an Omega-6 Fatty Acid) (Min) 4.0%
Vitamin E (Min) 300 IU/kg
Taurine (Min) 0.2%
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (Min) 500 mg/kg
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Min) 0.4%
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) plus
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) (Min)
Total Microorganisms (Min) 90,000,000 CFU/Ib

This is the list of ingredients for Orijen Kitten & Cat food (once again, the first 5 ingredients are meat and its grain free) :

Fresh boneless chicken*, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon*, turkey meal, fresh chicken liver*, herring meal, russet potato, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), sweet potato, peas, fresh boneless walleye*, fresh whole eggs*, fresh boneless turkey*, fresh boneless lake whitefish*, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, fresh boneless herring*, organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS :
Crude protein (min.) 42 %
Crude fat (min.) 20 %
Crude fiber (max.) 2.5 %
Moisture (max.) 10 %
Calcium (min./max.) 1.5 % / 1.7 %
Phosphorus (min./max.) 1.2 % / 1.4 %
Ash (max.) 7%
Omega-6 (min.) 3.5 %
Omega-3 (min.) 1.2 %
DHA (min.) 0.7 %
EPA (min.) 0.4 %
AA (min.) 0.16 %
Taurine (min.) 0.5 %
Magnesium (max.) 0.09

If your not sure and you are in Dieppe area just go to Global Pet Food and ask the manager, Ashley She will help you find a good ferret food for your furkids

[motherof2]

www.zupreem.com/our-food/ferrets/premium-ferret-diet

this is the link for Zupreem. Global Pet foods on Mountain Road carries this and they carry Premium Ferret Diet and Grain Free Ferret Diet.

[Johnny and Demon]

Here's a link to help you find a suitable ferret food :
www.ferret-universe.com/care/food.asp

& Here's the list of ingredient for Zupreem grain-free Ferret food (there's less protein than EVO but in the analysis its seem ok. I only wonder if wheat are ok for them ? I think Tressie can help you or if you go to Global Pet Food in Dieppe and you appear to see Ashley, the manager, she will sure be able to tell you In the food chart they say Zupreem is not the top quality but its still ok to feed your ferrets. However ; I've seen reviews in ferret.com saying that the kibbles shape is dangerous - "The kibble pieces are the perfect size and shape to get stuck in the top of my ferret's mouth and choke her. I have seen this happen a few times while she was eating, and I'm sure it's happened numerous times that I did not witness. She has to stop and use her hands to dislodge the piece from her mouth, which is very difficult for her and painful to watch since I cannot help her".) :

Chicken meal, Chicken fat, Ground wheat, Wheat flour, Chicken, Egg product, Beet pulp, Natural chicken flavor, Brewers yeast, Flax seed, Potasium chloride, Choline chloride, Iodized salt, Taurine, DL-methionine, Natural mixed tocopherols, Rosemary extract, Citric acid, Ferrous sulfate, Zinc oxide, Copper chloride, Manganous oxide, Calcium iodate, Sodium selenite, Vitamin A supplement, Vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin E supplement, Thiamine, Niacin, Calcium pantothenate, Pyridoxine hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 supplement.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein..............Not less than 40.0%
Crude Fat....................Not less than 20.0%
Crude Fiber...............Not greater than 2.0%
Moisture.................Not greater than 10.0%