From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-08-23 03:53:41 UTC
Subject: RE: Onions
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7767816.1124769221527.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Yes, this possibility has been mentioned before, including by vets here in relation to both onions and garlic, BUT even if it happens it is a matter of degree. What matters is how much needs to be ingested to be harmful, and I have not heard of any ferrets who are getting meat babyfoods having that problem. On the other hand I sure wouldn't share my "Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic" or my "Hummus bi Tahini" with them (and they do try to get the second) and I wouldn't recommend that you do either.
Here are some past vet posts for you:
This one answers your exact question:
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG2021
including:
BEGIN QUOTE
While Heinz bodies can be seen in any species when enough onion is
given, and of course cats are predisposed to the development of Heinz
bodies (precipitated denatured hemoglobin on the RBC cell membranes) -
I have never seen Heinz bodies on a ferret blood smear, nor does the
small amount of onion powder in Gerber's baby food appear to cause
any problem.
Ferrets do develop a immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, but right now,
little is definivitely known about it, and it does not appear to be
associated with the feeding of baby food - it is most often seen in
preciously healthy animals.
END QUOTE
and these may also be of interest:
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG14494
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG13850
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG3737
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG9755