From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-09-07 21:46:34 UTC
Subject: RE: Zinc for hair loss
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3134962.1094593594126.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Given that your vet has seen success with it I am curious about it and about the replies you will get.
I can't recall the heavy metal limit for zinc with ferrets but there *IS* one so any post would preferably mention that levels need to be understood to avoid heavy metal poisoning.
The people who are likely to know that are the experts at Performance Foods (which makes Totally Ferret) and at PrettyPets/PrettyBird (which also makes a food, Natural Gold). It may be in _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, 2nd edition_, too Okay, it is in there on page 168 with ferrets who had too much zinc from galvanized food or water dishes. It states that ferrets are particularly susceptible to zinc toxicity, but it only gives liver levels on testing, not dietary levels. When toxicity occurs the ferrets have fatal damage to kidneys, liver, and bone marrow. I'd really contact those nutritionists to check what is safe; their contact info is on their websites.
It would be awful to have heavy metal poisoning in exchange for fur, so do check the amounts with those whose specialty is nutrition, please!
Here you are; here are the websites which have people who will know safe amounts, so try their contact info
http://www.prettybird.com/contact.html
Don can ask Mike
http://www.totallyferret.com/contact.html
Tom will know