Supply Run - Hit By A Bus Series

It's been awhile since I did a Hit By A Bus update. The premise is what would happen if I got hit by a bus - who would take care of my babies and who would have the information necessary to keep their lives as status quo as possible.  So - as I went out for my monthly supply run I thought it was a good time to do an update:

Winston - he is currently eating Mazuri mini pig food - the active adult formula.  I get it from our local Tractor Supply Co store.  He gets a total of 1.25 cups of food per day half in the morning at around 7 am and the other half in the evening around 5 pm.  He also gets treats throughout the day.  I try to make sure the treats he gets are around 5% protein.  They are hard to find - I don't go over 8% though.  I make him do his tricks for treats - sit, speak, around in a circle in both directions, up, and play the xylophone.

The kitties are free feeders.  Currently I have them on Purina Indoor Formula.  They have access to their food at all times - it has to be kept in a spot where Mr. Piglet cannot get to it .  For litter box - sometimes they use the pine litter in Winston's boxes but mostly they prefer the clay litter.  I use Tidy Cat - either the small spaces formula or the order control formula.  Again - the clay litter has to be kept in a place where the piglet can't get too it or else he will eat it and make himself very sick.  Oliver, Zoey and Phoebe need thyroid meds on their ear every morning and every evening.  Ollie and Zoey are on a higher dose than Phoebe so you have to be careful to give them the right one - I label the vials when I get them.  Dosing instructions are on the bag they come in.

I currently have Emma on Biljack Sr Formula from Petco.  I free feed her the dry and she gets one wet meal each day usually in the evening.  The ferrets and the kitties also like the Biljack which is fine.  Emma gets treats throughout the day - same as Winston.  I make her do tricks as well - sit, up, shake with both paws, lay down, speak and if you are really adventurous, balancing her treat on her nose.  Emma has to be on her leash when she goes out to potty - she is a runner.

The ferrets - they are also on the Purina Indoor Formula and they have access to Marshall Ferret Diet as well.  I have a free feeder of dry ferret food and a bowl with the wet version available to them.  I use warm water in the morning and the evening to make them a soupy gravy which they seem to like very much.  I offer Ferretone to everyone but only Theo, Madison and Bash take me up on the offer.  I also give them ferret chew sticks but usually only Theo and Kai are takers on those as well.

Flea protection - it is delivered monthly by Petco - around the 12th of the month I apply it.  The kitties and the ferrets get a dose each month.  It's the feline version of Frontline and they get one vial on their backs - between their shoulderblades so they can't lick it off.  Winston does not need flea protection and Emma wears a Seresto Flea collar - it needs to be replaced in September of 2015 and every 8 months thereafter.

Hands on every critter rule - I try to make sure I put my hands on every critter every morning and every night before bed to make sure everyone is happy and healthy and accounted for.

There you have it - the latest info just in case....  :)

Hit By A Bus - Update

I haven't done an update on the Hit By A Bus series in ages - so - I thought I would document the latest in case that bus finds me sometime in the near future.

Ferrets -

They are eating mostly kitty food - Friskies Grillers blend and occasionally they snack on Emma's dog food Beneful - Original.  Clooney, Maddie and Finn all like the Ferretone supplement and get about a tablespoon each every day.  Clooney and Finn like the Ferret Chew Sticks in the pink bag - they each get one a day.

Kitties -

Kitties are eating the Friskies Grillers blend dry cat food - they free feed (as do the ferrets) and have feeders in 2 locations in the house.  They get the occasional can of wet food - but not all that often anymore as we experienced some kitty spread when they got to eat it regularly.  They occasionally get kitty treats - they prefer the soft ones over the crunchy ones.  Zoey and Oliver are on the methimazole transdermal ear gel - 1 cc in the morning and 1 in the evening on their ears.  They use the Tidy Cat litter - I like using a mixture of the Small Spaces and the Multi Cat blends.

Emma -

She is on the Original Beneful dry dog food and she has also been getting the Beneful Lamb and Rice wet food a couple of times a week.  She has a funky stomach that makes icky noises - I give her the wet food when that happens as well.  She likes treats - Chewnola is one of her favorites but in all honesty she is not choosy.

Nigel -

Nigel eats the Zupreem Ferret food - he free feeds as well.  He also gets 10 or so worms in his bowl at night.  His cage gets cleaned once a week - new litter (Yesterday's News - not regular cat litter because he will eat it... ick), fresh water, fresh blankets and fresh rugs.  Blankets and rugs should be checked for loose threads and those should be trimmed off before they go in his cage so he doesn't catch his legs/feet on them. His wheel also needs to be cleaned weekly.  Nigel has a heater that goes under his blankets so he stays warm even though the house is not hot - he likes warm.  He also has a couple of toys in his cage that go on either end of his blankets that make getting in and out of the covers a little easier for him.

Everyone is covered under insurance - VPI and everyone is current on vet visits with the exception of Aggie and Phoebe.

So - there you have it - updates - just in case...

Hit By A Bus - Update

The famous Hit By A Bus updates:

Not to much has changed since last I posted on this topic.  The main things are as follows:

1.  Zoey is no longer taking her supplement - the kitties get wet cat food still - a quarter of a can each.  Its on auto order from Amazon.
2.  Clooney and Madison love the junkie cat food - Friskies Grillers Blend.  Everyone else in the household loves it too so I did the compare.  It's actually not that junkie after all so I have officially switched the kitties to it as well.  Everyone is quite happy.
3.  Nigel likes the junkie cat food as well - he gets as much as he likes in one sitting a couple of times a week

Other than those small dietary and supplemental adjustments thing are pretty much the same as ever...

Hit By A Bus Series - Dietary Update

So - we have done some significant dietary updates for the critter since Zoey got sick.  Thought I would document for the Hit By A Bus Series, well.....in case I get hit by a bus.

For the kitties - they are getting 1 can of Nature's Variety cat food divided into four portions.  They like Venison and Chicken.  They also like Lamb and Duck - they are not so hot on Rabbit.  They are also on the Nature's Variety Chicken dry food which I let them free feed on in their feeder.

Zoey gets one C-CAP supplement in 1/4 of a can of ID cat food each day (currently located in the master bath).  I close her in the bathroom and let her eat it undisturbed.  If the other kitties get the left overs its not an issue since its all natural.

Emma - she is on the Nature's Variety chicken dry dog food - free feed in her feeder.  She is eating one can of Nature's Variety Prairie Chicken and Brown Rice in the morning and 4 medallions of the Nature's Variety frozen meat - either chicken or beef.  Those I take out to thaw in the morning and put in her bowl mid afternoon.

Clooney - he is still transitioning to the Nature's Variety dry cat food.  He usually eats a mix of the old Iams cat food and the new Nature's Variety chicken.  Need to make sure he is actually eating if the Iams is not in there.  He still gets is tablespoon of Ferretone and his Ferret Chew Stick each day.

Nigel - he is still eating the ferret food.  He gets 2 dried crickets and 3 or 4 dried meal worms each day.

I have the canned cat food and canned dog food set up on recurring order with MrChewy.com.  I do not have the dry set up as of the time I type this.  I get the medallions for Emma from PetMania by the Harris Teeter.

Bottomless Bowl - Hit By A Bus Series - Supplemental

So - I finally bit the bullet and decided to go on the Bottomless Bowl offered by Petco.  The prices are reasonable and they carry all the stuff I need for the zoo:

Nigel's Litter

Clooney's Supplement

Clooney's Treat

Nigel's Food - yes really - Nigel

Nigel's Worms

Kitty and Clooney food

Emma food

Kitty Litter

Kitty Treats

Emma Treats

You can schedule them for recurring delivery - not that brave quite yet - or do the quick reorder which is what I will do for now.  Shipping is $5.99 - by the time I get to the pet store, take the time to get the stuff, check out, lug to the car and lug inside I figure its worth the money.  First order will be delivered next week.

Hit By A Bus Series - Post 4

Oh my sweet Emma doggie.  She is such a good dog but she does have some neurotic tendencies.

• She has to be on a leash outside - she will run off.
• She is terrified of both thunder and fireworks - she does have her thundershirt but still not anxiety free.
• She scratches at the carpet - ugh - so annoying.
• She hates getting bathed and nails cut but I try to do this once a month.

Emma is a very non demanding dog.  We get up in the morning - go out around 10ish to go potty.  She free feeds on Iams Lamb and Rice dog food.  She gets a couple of treats each day.  She loves to go on walks and to go for play dates at doggie daycare at Town and Country.  She needs to have her bordatella, heartworm and fecal up to date at all times so she has the ability to go to socialize.

She loves to get rubbed on her tummy and in her armpits.  She is very sweet and loving and should be treated with a soft hand as she is very sensitive.

Hit By A Bus Series - Post 3

Kitties, kitties, kitties - they are actually quite independent little creatures.  They interact with me and with each other but they are overly demanding.  Probably the easiest to care for is Aggie - she is not demanding for attention and is pretty easy going.  She loves her red fuzzy (its a snuggie that is usually downstairs on the loveseat).  She tends to carry a tiny bit of extra pudge so I try to be careful and not treat her too much.  She doesn't do so well with change, not a fan of rearranging things and definitely not a fan of the vacuum cleaner.

Zoey - she is snitty at times so you have to be careful else she might bite you.  She loves laps and attention.  She is a huge fan of hanging out on the porch - I put the gate up and leave her out out there for extended periods of time.  Check on her often.  She needs her eyes cleaned often - they get quite gunky.  Again - she is on the heavy side so easy on the treats.  She likes to be vacuumed - there is a post on this.....

Oliver - he wants to be loved often.  He loves people food.  He gets along with everyone but picks on Aggie. He is the king of ornery and will keep you on your toes.  He wants to escape into the great outdoors so you have to be careful not to let him slip out.  He needs people loves often....

Phoebe - she is a shy girl - it takes her a bit to warm up but she is so sweet.  She needs lots of toys and wants attention frequently.  She adores Oliver and Emma.  Not a bit fan of Aggie.  She has a new found fascination with people food and wants to check out whatever you have - most of which she isn't all that interested.

They eat Iams Indoor Weightloss cat food - they are free feeders and always have food and water available.  They need their boxes cleaned every day.  They occasionally suffer from hairballs - they have regular over the counter meds for this.  I try not to unnecessarily vaccinate them as they do not go outside and are only exposed to one another.  Vetting is on demand if they are sick or every year.  They all have pet insurance policies.  Nails need clipping - Zoey and Ollie are no problem.  Phoebe and Aggie - good luck.  They all like to be brushed.

Hit By A Bus Series - Post 2

Clooney is the focus for this Hit By A Bus post.  He doesn't require too much care.  The big thing is keeping him out of things he should not be into.

Food - Clooney eats the cat food mostly and occasionally snacks on dog food.  Both are approved diets by the vet.  He requires a supplement that helps with dry skin - its called Ferretone and he loves it.  He thinks its a treat. I give him a puddle squirted on the kitchen floor every day - probably about a tablespoon.  As far as treats go - he also gets 1 stick each day.  These are small rawhide ferret chews and he loves them.  They can be purchased online or at pet smart.

Its really important to make sure he has access to water at all times - his metabolism is fast!

Clooney will sleep about 18 hours a day.  He gets picked up and loved on multiple times a day and he needs the interaction with his humans to be happy.  He is a poopy little creature and clean up is required at times for accidents that happen.

He has a toy - it is a stuffed cow and he loves it.  He has had it since his first day with me and if something happened to me - he needs his cow.  I wish whomever has to look for it - lots of luck - start in the office room, then the master closet, if still no - then under the bonus room couch - then after that - all bets are off.

Sometimes he is hard to find - using a paper or plastic bag and making lots of noise with it will usually get him to come out.  He is pretty good about coming when he is called.

He loves Oliver and the two of them should not be separated.  They play often and rough - Oliver does get irritated and will pick Clooney up by the scruff.  I don't let him do this because I am worried he will hurt the ferret so prepare to holler at the boy kitty.

Clooney loves granola bars, cereal bars and fig newtons - non of which he should be allowed to have.  He will steal candy - not great for him.  He is a hoarder and will steal small items.

Sometimes Clooney gets a hair ball and hacks - I give him a small 1 inch ribbon on honey on my finger for this - he loves it.  Honey has a natural antihistamine and fixes him right up.  This should be used very sparingly as ferrets  can develop diabetes - known as insulinoma.

Vet visits - 1 - 2 times a year.  Emergency visits sometimes necessary  based on dietary indiscretion like red licorice.

He does need toenail trims every 3 - 4 weeks.  Nigel needs his toes cut as well - I don't think I put that in his post.  Clooney has not been bathed in forever - he doesn't really need it unless he gets into something and it dries his skin so I try to only do this on an as needed basis.

Hit By A Bus Series - Post 1

The thought has occurred to me - what if I was hit by a bus?  Abducted by aliens?  Or somehow unable to care for the critters - who would know what to do?  The hubs would have a pretty good idea but he probably doesn't know everything as I am the primary care giver for the zoo.  So - I thought I would document this in a series of posts over the next couple of weeks - 4 of them to be exact - one for Emma, one for the kitties, one for Clooney and this one for Nigel:

Food - Nigel eats high quality ferret food.  He will eat cat food as well.  He also has hedgehog food that he hates but I keep it in his bowl anyway.  He also gets worms daily - either flash frozen or live meal worms.  Worms have to be bought from a pet store because those not bred for pet consumption can have pesticides that can make him sick.

Cage - he loves his cage.  I clean his blankets weekly, wipe down his wheel daily, change his water every couple of days.  He likes it set up the same way every time.  I change his box every week. Only use the Yesterday's News litter - cat litter he will eat and it will make him sick. He is quite content to be in his cage all the time - I try to get him out for several hours each day.  Heater is important - 75 degrees or higher in the room where he sleeps.  He needs natural or artificial light during the day and dark at night or his sleep schedule gets outta whack.

Play time - he likes to be covered up most of the time.  He plays in the bonus room where he can't get out due to the step up. He likes to sleep under the small cheetah print rug in the bonus room as well as under the tv cabinet. His spongebob blankets are his favorite.

Temperature is important - he has to be warm or he can go into hibernation - he has 3 space heaters....they should be in his play room as well as in his sleeping room.

Vet visits - every six months is important given that his life expectancy isn't all that long - you have to catch things early.

He can be huffy and roll up in a ball - but you can't let him dictate when he gets handled.  He needs interaction every day.

He has no concept of heights so you have to be careful when you have him on the couch or other high places.

His skin can give him troubles - you must keep an eye on it.  If you flip him on his back he will roll up - but once he starts to wiggle and unroll you can see his belly - look for red spots.  Vet visit should happen if you see any.

Baths - he will get poopy feet running on his wheel - a foot bath in the sink can happen if necessary.  Just a quick wade through the water - he is pretty good about you washing his feet.  These are as needed.  Full blown baths - he likes the big tub.  Warm water with colloidal oatmeal (1/2 pkg).  Water in a cup poured over his back - not ears or face.  When he is ready to get out - rinse him with warm tap water to prevent any skin reactions.  Dry him in a towel and make sure he is not anywhere that he can get a draft and catch a chill.

Diseases - hedgies can be obese - if he can't roll into a ball he is too fat.  They also can get wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) which is like MS in humans.  If he is staggering when he runs around - immediate trip to the vet.

He does have pet insurance through VPI (petinsurance.com)