From:
jasperand4@ntlworld.com
Date: 2004-03-03 23:47:01 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] Re: Tryptophan + adrenal prevention
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
CC:
Message-Id: <20040303234605.UWJH27661.mta05-svc.ntlworld.com@[62.255.36.71]>
Dear Dr Murray,
Many thanks for your reply. It is much appreciated.
I now plan to feed more fresh meat, and hope that this will indeed help.
Here in the UK many ferrets are fed on fresh meat, especially by ferreters, as rabbit is in abundance during the winter. This does lead me to wonder if this may be a factor in adrenal disease being less common here. However, almost two years ago, I spoke to a ferret vet, who told me that AD was rare and there were only a handful of cases across the whole of the UK. It now appears to be on the increase, as I have become aware of three cases within the last six weeks (one case being my own ferret). Just a theory of course, but it may have some foundation!
Thanks again
Carol
> ** Original Sender: AFERRETVET@cs.com
> ** Original Message follows...
>
> Hi Carol,
> You are indeed right. Foods that are high in tryptophan
> like turkey can be converted into melatonin by the entero-
> chromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract. So I would
> suggest trying turkey or turkey baby food as a supplement
> to try to raise the melatonin level. I do not know if it will
> raise the melatonin level high enough to help prevent
> adrenal gland disease but it will not hurt.