From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-06-07 18:22:01 UTC
Subject: RE: question about diet for seniors
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8033324.1118168521166.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I think that part of the confusion going on right now may be due specifically to SENIORS being under discussion in part of this discussion but not all of it.
Remember that in the wild extremely old polecats are rare; most die younger so there is no reason to automatically think that the wild diet may be optimized for old age. It may be but it may not be.
Some vets prefer to have seniors not be on a high protein diet in case that might be harder on kidneys which are showing their age. They specify moderate protein levels for old ferrets. Since ferret kidneys tend to not readily show the beginnings of kidney disease you can see why this appeals to some vets.
Alternatively, some vets, taking a different problem which increases with age into account -- the occurrence of insulinoma -- look to the hypothesis that high amounts of carbohydrates might increase the insulinoma rate (though there is no way to measure because there aren't even any rate figures yet for the levels seen so there is no way to compare). You can also see why this appeals to some vets.
Both are reasonable concerns with opposite approaches.
So, basically, for the elderly if there are known problems that a specific individual has then shape the diet around those. Otherwise, honestly, to some extent you are in a "best guess" situation, so go with what your own treating vet recommends because that is who has the best health info on your individuals.
Whatever you feed -- and honestly, for many ferrets and the high quality foods foods there is nothing that is markedly right or markedly wrong -- make sure that the protein levels are NOT largely from vegetable matter. I always worry about foods where the protein levels are suddenly listed as higher than a previous version of that diet had been but the fat level has lowered. It is just way too easy to get that combination and also save money by greatly increasing the protein percentage from vegetable sources -- which for ferrets is unhealthy.
Sorry, there simply are NOT easy answers on this topic.