A bland diet should be fed to the anorexic ferret every two to four hours. It seems that Gerber’s second stage chicken baby food is a good choice because of its high digestibility. Many ferrets like the taste of this food and will readily accept it off of your finger. This is not always the case when a ferret has ECE.
Full Answer
What is the best food to feed a ferret?
There are several good commercial ferret foods available that are dry foods. While cat food has been suggested for use in ferrets in the past, food specifically made for ferrets is more appropriate and is definitely recommended. "Food specifically made for ferrets is more appropriate and is definitely recommended."
Can ferrets eat baby food?
Ferrets do enjoy sweets, dairy products, raisins, fruits, and vegetables, but these foods should be avoided, as they may produce diarrhea and erratic swings in blood sugar. A piece of cooked meat or some meat baby food is fine as an occasional treat.
What is ECE in ferrets?
Epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE) is a highly contagious viral infection in ferrets. It often recognized by the inflammation it causes in the ferret's intestines. Older ferrets develop the severest form of the viral infection, and also take the most time to recover -- about a month.
Should I leave food out 24 hours a day for ferrets?
This is most easily accomplished by leaving food out for them 24 hours a day, allowing the ferret to graze throughout the day. Ferrets that spend excessive time eating may become obese and should be offered only limited food quantities.
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What do I do if my ferret has ECE?
Treatment. Your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and antiviral drugs to treat the ferret. Protective medicine for the intestinal lining may also be prescribed. Along with the medication, nutritional treatment, in the form of fluids and a bland, easily digestible diet, is needed.
How does a ferret get ECE?
Definition. Epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE) is an enteric viral disease of ferrets that is caused by a novel coronavirus, designated as ferret enteric coronavirus (FECV). In naïve ferrets, infection results in profuse greenish, mucoid diarrhea with high morbidity and low mortality.
How much Pepto Can you give a ferret?
Other medications include Pepto-Bismol at 0.25 ml/kg q6hrs PO and cimetidine at 10 mg/kg q8hrs IV or PO. Supportive care such as fluids, iron, and nutritional support may also be necessary.
Why is my ferrets poop seedy?
Seedy Ferret Poop It usually happens when you change your ferret's diet. It can be a different kibble or complete kibble to raw meat transition. Seedy ferret poop usually means that your ferret didn't digest food properly, it came too quickly through the system and it usually means undigested fats.
Why is my ferret throwing up green liquid?
Viral infection. Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE) is commonly known as “green slime disease” because of the characteristic green, mucous covered diarrhea produced by affected ferrets. Vomiting occurs alone or in combination with diarrhea in ferrets with ECE.
How much Pedialyte do you give a ferret?
You should try to get your ferret to drink about fifteen milliliters of the solution every three to four hours (if your ferret is not drinking any fluid on his/her own).
How do you tell if a ferret has a blockage?
The first sign of a urinary obstruction is straining to urinate. This may actually look like constipation since the ferret may hunch over in pain while trying to urinate. Because of the abnormal passage of urine, the stream or flow of urine will be interrupted and may appear cloudy.
Can you give a ferret Tylenol?
Most human medications for pain will quickly kill ferrets. According to Dr. Jill A Richardson, DVM, one fifteenth of one 325mg acetaminophen tablet can easily kill a pet ferret. Once you see that your ferret is in pain, consult a veterinarian and follow these pain relief methods.
What medicine can you give ferrets?
0:141:35How to medicate a pet ferret - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOf patients one of the thing that can definitely help is the flavor of the medication. And weMoreOf patients one of the thing that can definitely help is the flavor of the medication. And we actually work with a compounding pharmacy that makes chicken flavored medication for our parent.
What ferret food is the best?
The 8 Best Ferret FoodsMarshall Premium Ferret Food – Best Overall. ... Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Ferret Food – Best Value. ... Wysong Epigen 90 Dry Ferret Food – Premium Choice. ... Marshall Select Chicken Formula Ferret Food. ... Kaytee Fortified Diet with Real Chicken Ferret Food. ... ZuPreem Grain-Free Diet Ferret Food.More items...•
How many times a day should a ferret poop?
Most ferrets will poop three or four times a day. One bad one is not the end of the world, and one good one, in an animal with GI problems, doesn't necessarily mean that all is forgiven.
Why do ferrets shake?
Ferrets shake for perfectly normal reasons, such as excitement, nervousness, during and after eating, during and after sleep, and other times as well. Unless your ferret's shaking is accompanied by major signs of sickness like weakness, lethargy, and nausea, there's no reason for you to be concerned.
Is ferret ECE contagious to humans?
The fungal disease, ringworm, has been reported in ferrets and may be transmitted by infected cats. The ringworm lesions appear as reddened sometimes hairless and crusty areas of the skin. Left untreated, the lesions can become widespread and the fungus can be transmitted to other pets and humans.
What does healthy ferret poop look like?
Normal ferret poop is a light tan to brown color; has a smooth, toothpaste-like consistency and is tubular in shape. Exposure to air allows it to dessicate, thus causing it to shrink, turn dark brown and get hard.
What illnesses can ferrets get?
Common conditions of pet ferrets include diarrhea, intestinal foreign bodies, parasites, heart disease, and various kinds of tumors. "Common conditions of pet ferrets include diarrhea, intestinal foreign bodies, parasites, heart disease, and various kinds of tumors."
Can ferrets have corn on the cob?
Most dry pet foods are grain-based and contain some level of wheat, corn, oats, rice or another grain. While it's OK to feed your ferret a good-quality dry food even if it contains some grain, all grains will pass right through your ferret and end up in his litter box. Look for foods low in grain and high in protein.
December 1998 Status – Validated June 2014
There have been marked reductions in the number of ferrets coming into the shelter who evidence symptoms of ECE However, sporadically we hear of ECE or ECE type illnesses cropping up around the country and even around the world.
Where Did It Come From?
The disease was first publicly identified in the mid-Atlantic states in Spring, 1993. At the time, the area was just recovering from a distemper outbreak that frightened many people and forced shows to become very strict with vaccine requirements and disinfecting show tables.
How Is It Spread?
The primary mode of transmission seems to be ferret-to-ferret, but no method has yet to be formally documented. Direct contact with an infected animal is not the only means of infection.
Who Gets It?
The illness strikes entirely at random. In the same home you may see one animal become very ill, one mildly so, and one never show a single symptom. We estimate about 70-80% of the animals we have taken in have become ill. Approximately 10% become seriously ill. 10-20% never have any signs.
Can You Protect Against It?
No animals we have cared for, once recovered, have become ill again. However, all ferrets within an infected household, whether they become ill or not, appear to become carriers. The household also appears to remain infected. When we became aware it was in our shelter, we voluntarily quarantined ourselves for 3 months, scrubbed, and disinfected.
What Are the Symptoms?
The dreaded “green diarrhea” is only the first and by far the lesser sign. Be aware that ferrets may get greenish diarrhea from any number of intestinal upsets. The specific diarrhea associated with E.C.E. is a foul-smelling, neon green. It normally only lasts 2-4 days. Weak or older animals may become badly dehydrated.
How Do You Treat It?
As stated above, these are the methods we at FACT, Inc. have utilized to fight E.C.E. and are not meant to be either a substitute for qualified veterinary care or the only treatment methods. Please consult with your vet if your animal is seriously ill! Be aware that any virus can mutate and symptoms may change.
What to feed a ferret?
When feeding your ferret a raw meat-based diet, make sure that you feed a wide variety of meats, organs, and bones. The ferret shelter Unwanted Fuzz in Victoria, Australia, feeds their entire shelter a raw diet. This is the recipe they use, which has a good mix of ingredients: For a 22 pounds (10 kilograms) mix:
What is the best diet for ferrets?
Higher protein and fat. Raw meat-based diets contain high levels of both meat-based protein and fat, both essential elements of a healthy ferret diet. Lower carbohydrates and fiber. Raw meat-based diets contain no or very little carbohydrates and fiber, both of which ferrets have difficulty digesting.
What do ferrets eat?
What does my ferret need to eat? Ferrets are obligate carnivores, so their diet needs to be primarily meat-based. They do not have the enzymes in their stomachs needed to digest plant matter. In addition, ferrets need a lot of protein and fat, and very little fiber and carbohydrates, to stay healthy.
How to help ferrets with kibble?
Be particularly careful in handling raw meat, to avoid contracting pathogens or passing them on to other humans. Supplement the diet with raw eggs and fish oil. For kibble diets, we recommend mixing the following foods:
Why do ferrets eat kibble?
Better dental health. Kibble diets can lead to a buildup of plaque and a loss of tooth tissue.
Why do ferrets need a 1:1 balance of calcium and phosphorus?
Because they cannot digest plant matter well, the protein and fat must come from meat-based sources. Ferrets also need a 1:1 balance of calcium and phosphorus. Calcium is found in bones and phosphorus in tissue meats. Most commercial kibbles have an appropriate calcium to phosphorus ratio.
How much protein does a ferret need?
A food may say it has 50% protein, but if most of it comes from vegetables, your ferret will not be able to digest the protein. This is why you must check both the ingredient list and the guaranteed analysis. In the guaranteed analysis, look for: Crude protein level of at least 35%. Crude fat level between 20% and 40%.
Why do ferrets have low blood sugar?
As ferrets age, many develop tumors in their pancreas causing the production of excess insulin. Because of this, ferrets can easily develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when they are without food, and should be fed several small meals throughout the day.
Can ferrets eat raisins?
Ferrets do enjoy sweets, dairy products, raisins, fruits, and vegetables, but these foods should be avoided , as they may produce diarrhea and erratic swings in blood sugar. A piece of cooked meat or some meat baby food is fine as an occasional treat.
Can ferrets eat chocolate?
Chocolate can be fatal to ferrets! Be sure to check with your veterinarian before you feed your ferret any people food , especially snack foods. Dietary changes can contribute to problems such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and pancreatic problems.
December 1998 Status – Validated June 2014
Where Did It Come from?
- The disease was first publicly identified in the mid-Atlantic states in Spring, 1993. At the time, the area was just recovering from a distemper outbreak that frightened many people and forced shows to become very strict with vaccine requirements and disinfecting show tables. These were precautions that should have been enforced all along, but had become lax. In retrospect, stiffer r…
How Is It Spread?
- The primary mode of transmission seems to be ferret-to-ferret, but no method has yet to be formally documented. Direct contact with an infected animal is not the only means of infection. Our observations suggest the virus does not cling to fabric itself, as judges may brush or hold animals against their clothes and no illness has been reported to us from that exposure. Howev…
Who Gets It?
- The illness strikes entirely at random. In the same home you may see one animal become very ill, one mildly so, and one never show a single symptom. We estimate about 70-80% of the animals we have taken in have become ill. Approximately 10% become seriously ill. 10-20% never have any signs. Elderly ferrets (6 years and older) and those under one year usually have only a minor cas…
Can You Protect Against It?
- No animals we have cared for, once recovered, have become ill again. However, all ferrets within an infected household, whether they become ill or not, appear to become carriers. The household also appears to remain infected. When we became aware it was in our shelter, we voluntarily quarantined ourselves for 3 months, scrubbed, and disinfected. As soon as we began taking in a…
What Are The Symptoms?
- The dreaded “green diarrhea” is only the first and by far the lesser sign. Be aware that ferrets may get greenish diarrhea from any number of intestinal upsets. The specific diarrhea associated with E.C.E. is a foul-smelling, neon green. It normally only lasts 2-4 days. Weak or older animals may become badly dehydrated. An otherwise healthy ferret is not usually seriously affected within thi…
How Do You Treat It?
- As stated above, these are the methods we at FACT, Inc. have utilized to fight E.C.E. and are not meant to be either a substitute for qualified veterinary care or the only treatment methods. Please consult with your vet if your animal is seriously ill! Be aware that any virus can mutate and symptoms may change. Individual animals may also be affected differently, especially if there ar…
Treatment Protocol
- A day or two after we move a new ferret into the shelter, we begin to watch out for neon green diarrhea. As noted above, we may see it only briefly, or not at all. If we’ve seen nothing after a week, we usually assume the animal will not be affected. The only exception is for unneutered animals – we have seen cases where a nursing jill did not become ill until after spaying. We sus…
ECE Treatment Update
- The following is a compilation and reprint of two separate updates written and published by Mary Van Dahm, F.A.I.R. Shelter.” It was published in the February-March, 1997 issue of “Paw Printz,” the newsletter of the Ferret Association of Connecticut, Inc. This information is not meant to take the place of qualified veterinary care. Please consult with your veterinarian before starting your f…