Message Number: YG4375 | New FHL Archives Search
From: ferretsonly@hotmail.com
Date: 2001-06-07 15:55:00 UTC
Subject: Re: brewer's yeast

> The
> chromium in it is good for diabetes but BAD for insulinoma as per
> recent info from vets here.

Wendy isn't the only person who didn't know this.

Sukie, remember how we corresponded a couple years ago and you were
astonished that of all the ferrets I've had, I *never* had one with
insulinoma (at the time, that was 21 ferrets over 12 years)? You
asked me what my secret ingredient was and I had no answer.

Well, I've now had 27 ferrets in my 14 years that I own (not fosters)
and have had only 2 show signs of insulinoma. My vet has always been
surprised because he thought the actual rate should be closer to 33%
(and that would be 9 of my ferrets).

Two of my ferrets had insulinoma nodules removed incidental to other
surgery (one was adrenal and the other to remove a 9 ounce spleen;
neither showed signs of insulinoma). Both ferrets are two years post-
op and are still healthy, happy, *active*, and symptom free. One is
now 8-9 years old and the other is 6+.

For years (at least 8), I have supplemented my ferrets with a soup
that they get 1-2 times daily. Each ferret gets about 1/4 cup of the
soup. The old or ill ferrets get as much soup as they want 3-4 times
daily.

My basic soup recipe has 4 cans of a/d, 1 large jar of banana baby
food, 2 teaspoons of Missing Link, 1/4 cup Baby food rice cereal, and
1/3 cup of brewer's yeast. As necessary, I may add Deliver or Dyne.

I'm not sure what to make of this new information. I'm unlikely to
change something that has worked so well for me for so many years.

-Carla