This is "baby bear"....Bear got sick on December 5, 2011 and we immediately rushed him into the emergency care center......

His symptoms were lethargic and significant weight loss along with being very pale (gums, ears, nose).  His temp was 102.4 which was normal for a ferret and pulse was 250 which is also normal for a ferret.  He had severe itching and no this was not due to fleas.

So, we get there and the vet did what he could but told us he didn't know all that much about ferrets.  no big suprise there, because they do not know much about exotics.  anyway, bear was put on prednisone and given a critical care formula that i was to mix up and feed.  suprisingly he wanted nothing to do with this mix so i did some research (always researching pet stuff) and came up with a formula that i was sure he would like.  low and behold he loved it.

Here is a recipe so any of you ferret owners can print it out and keep it handy for when your ferret is stuck ill:

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup whipping cream

6 oz jar of gerber vegetable and chicken baby food

mix well and keep in refrigerator.  this mix will only last for 48 hours so be sure to toss it and make a new batch (that is if you have any left after 48 hours because our babies love this!)

now, you may be asking why the whipping cream?  whipping cream is used for the high fat content and its very palatable.  if your ferret has significant weight loss like our bear then you want to put weight back on him in a hurry.......IT WORKS!  I started out by spoon feeding every 2 to 3 hours around the clock and this is very important in a sick ferret.  their digestive system will empty out, per say, in three hours.  you want to keep him or her hydrated also and i did this by mixing the marshalls pellets 2 parts water and 1 part pellets and spoon fed the soupy part.  also began giving a cat hairball remedy and alternated it with nutracal for ferrets.  the nutracal is a high calorie supplement and also much needed at this point.

after just a couple feedings and medication and supplements we started seeing the pink come back into his ears, nose and mouth.  after a few more feedings we noticed some weight gain!!!!  a couple more and he had alot more engery!!! 

i do have to say that feeding around the clock is very exhausting but well worth the time and effort.  just try not to fall asleep in the ferret bed lol.

So its been 2 weeks exactly and i am begining to add a little less whipping cream and a little more water as i don't want him obesse....he has alot more weight on him now and getting playful....

the above pic is not a very good pic and will try to post a better one soon.

he will need to go back to the vet to check his red blood cell count in two more weeks as his levels were 14 and should be over 30 which means he is/was anemic.  she said it can take a good 30 days for his levels to come back up. 

so off i go for a feeding!  hugs