Message Number: SG9309 | New FHL Archives Search
From: sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-06-29 02:44:50 UTC
Subject: RE: looks like bladder stones: need to pick brains
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3650767.1088477090867.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

Just reading:

http://www.lbah.com/Canine/urolithiasis.htm

and noticed that there can be a mineral cause:
>...commonly include magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, and ammonia. Most stones consist of an organic matrix of >protein surrounded by crystalline minerals...

Our ferrets have been on a high protein level diet. That could increase the ammonia level and possibly help provide a matrix, I suspect -- but I am guessing here, esp. since the highest protein foods we've used were also given before without problems.

Also:

>...Some uroliths have a propensity to form in acidic urine while others tend to form in alkaline urine. Urine pH needs to >be measure immediately upon voiding from the bladder for it to be accurate...

I guess we ought to get some urine pH strips...

>...Some uroliths form due to the presence of bacteria in the urine...

They don't have liver disease.

>Medications can predispose pets to forming bladder stones. Sometimes they do this by increasing the calcium level >in the urine. Medications that increase or decrease the pH of the urine can also set the stage for stone formation.

Neither ferret is on Vitamin C nor on the medications listed as other causes of urinary stones and blockages.

(Never knew that giving Vitamin C to members of Carnivora could set them up for urinary tract problems...)