IBS - IBD - WHAT TO FEED?

Question
I had a ferret who had irritable bowel from eating fabric. After two weeks on flagyl and amoxicillin he sort of recovered. Bowel movement still loose. He quit eating chicken (never ate kibble) and will now only eat Gerber's chicken baby food. I'm afraid of what this is doing to him long-term. Already tried mixing food in gradually, etc., refuses to eat at all if I mix the least little thing in with it. Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Laurel:

Ferrets are obligate carnivores, so the only thing they really *use* in the kibble or any other food is the MEAT! :-)  That's the good news.  Of course, it would be nice to be able to get some organ meat and other byproducts in there, but meat is an EXCELLENT food for ferets!

I will give you basically the same advice that I gave the previous questioner in regards to the best food to give to IBS/IBD ferrets.  It sure seems there are a LOT of them!!  Hopefully, I *think* I found a cure - at least for my ferret (who has IBD, it is working wonders!! - Hope it works for others too!)  While the chicken baby food is excellent, you may also want to try giving this occasionally for variety, extra nutrients and something thats excellent for IBS/IBD ferrets.  It helps diarrhea and just really *seems* to be a miracle cure to me!

After two years of trying everything we could think of, on a whim I bought some Marshalls' Uncle Jim's Duck Soup Mix (comes in a dry powder form).It contains ONLY chicken, liver, and a bunch of natural herbs and acidophillus - friendly things for the gut.

I put about a tablespoonful of the powder into a custard cup, fill it about half full with hot water from the tap, stir well, then put into the microwave until it just starts to boil - about 15 seconds on my microwave.  Then let it sit on the counter and stir it every few minutes until it reconstitutes fully (You may need to add more water to keep it 'soupy' - it should look just like Grandma's gravy (people gravy :-) when it's ready. You may need to re-warm it after you add water.  Just mess around with it until it is gravy consistency and nice and warm to serve to them.

Put the ferret on your lep (have a paper towel handy) and dip your finger into the mixture, then into the side of the ferret's mouth so they get a taste.  This stuff is the FIRST time that both of my ferrets are crazy about it  (even tho only one needs to be on it LOL).  They really slurp it down quickly and at least here, we had immediate results.  What had been watery bowels (and fighting dehydration constantly just as you have been) suddenly turned into absolutely NORMAL looking poops - formed, right color, and she LOVES IT!

So, I would very very strongly recommend getting ahold of this stuff for your little one.  Hopefully it will work as well as it has for me.  I feed as much as she will eat four times a day - first thing in the morning, last thing at night and twice, spaced as evenly as possible in between.

Please let me know if this works for you?  Your vet has your ferret on exactly the same stuff my Kylie was on and I've been able to totally discontinue ALL of the medications (unbelievable) and my vet is in shock!  The stuff is a little expensive, so be sure not to waste any (I cover any (wet) leftovers and keep in the refrigerator up to 48 hours).

Please try it and write to me and let me know if it works for you?  I'm curious at this point, especially since your ferret is on the exact same meds  my Kylie was on.  On the jar it comes in, it says to use only for several days while they are sick or recovering, but my vet looked at the ingredients and said they are EXCELLENT - NO FILLERS - MEAT ONLY along with "gut friendly" additives!

I will be anxious to hear from you!

Sincerely,
Jacquie Rodgers