Message Number: SG15300 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: "Nelli"
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 08:35:04 +0200
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Subject: kidney diet-Q's
Message-ID: <004001c5b051$9eb70040$10d2fea9@wilmos>
I've read through earlier posts on FHL and some articles on the net about k=
idney failure and low protein diet, and I feel a bit confused. So probably,=
someone can help me to clear it up...
This week we did a blood test and our vet phoned me with the results that m=
y four-year-old boy's creatinine level is a bit high. He said it must be be=
cause of an early stage kidney failure, which could be stopped worsening wi=
th a low protein diet so that he won't need medicine. Now he is looking for=
a diet cat food, which could be good for ferrets, too. He supposes Eukanub=
a k/d would be ok. (Totally Ferret is not available in our country.)
And here comes my first question: I might have misunderstood something, but=
aren't such k/d foods to give comfort to ferrets with symptoms (we don't h=
ave any) or is it recommended to prevent developing them, too?
Our vet didn't mention anything about Phosphorus or BUN level, and I don't =
know why. There wasn't a urine test, either. I'm going to see the results o=
n Monday, as he promised to get more information on kidney failure in ferre=
ts by then, since he has no experience with it. (Don't say to find another =
vet, he is the best in the town.)
So comes my second question: as my boy's teeth look really ugly... can mout=
h problems have any effect on the kidneys, which causes a rise in Creatinin=
e level? Can it be reversible? Should I have his teeth checked again? (Last=
time I showed it to a vet, I was told that there's nothing wrong with his =
teeth it's just coloring because of his age, and although really ugly, it's=
normal, so nothing should be done.) My boy doesn't seem to have any pain i=
n his mouth.
Although, my vet gets really upset if a make comments or suggestions, but b=
ased on this information (I think it's all he knows, too), should I insist =
on any other test or examination to be done before saying that my ferret re=
ally has kidney failure?
Thank you very much for your help and advice.
Nelli
Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu. Please note that this address is only useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.