From:
tanya@screentechinc.com
Date: 2002-08-05 20:11:38 UTC
Subject: Sick kids...and what are we doing wrong?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1678324.1028578298867.JavaMail.root@scandium>
(Cross posted to FML)
First I would like to say how sorry I am to read of all the sick babies and the struggling parents to make them comfortable thru their ordeals and remaining days here on earth. I can't imagine the day I will be left holding a lifeless fur body to be put to rest. I feel for each of you.
The question I would like to ask is why does it seem that so many young age ferrets are coming down with old age diseases - lymphoma, adrenal, insulinoma...? Does anyone think it is diet related including the quality of water? Or how about vaccinations - do you think this contributes to cancer growths? We all know the value of a BARF/chicken gravy/duck soup diet - but what about the quality of ingredients that we use? Specifically commercial bought meat (chicken/beef from commercial grocery stores) and all the growth hormones that are used in production.
I have 9 ferrets (and 5 dogs) - only one (fert) has had adrenal (she was 5 y/o at the time and to date healthy) but all others seem to be thriving and healthy. If you've read my posts in the past (on the FML) you will know that I do not vaccinate annually but rather sporadically. I also only use only health store quality meat/egg for duck soup and bottled water. (Kibble is available at all times.) I try to give my animals a healthy, hormone, pesticide, and additive free diet as I can. I clean their cage/litter box 2x a day and change the bedding once a week (or more if needed). I try to provide as clean of an environment as I can. I'd like to think all of this helps in their overall well being. Since food is the single most consummable item our ferrets intake, I would think the quality of food and water we give them is contributing to their good/poor health. At least this is my observation and opinion.
I feel very fortunate that all my animals are as healthy as they are. I'd like to think/hope that my caretaking has helped or maybe I just got lucky with healthy babies. I don't know, but either way, I'd like to hear people's opinions on what they think about food in relation to illnesses.
In ferrets we trust, Tanya