From:
daneedv@aol.com
Date: 2006-11-05 19:07:11 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: kidney disease help sought
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
I have received several private replies to this, and I appreciate everyone's help and
ideas.
My biggest concerns with Pogo are reducing her weight - this girl has a belly that
drags the ground all the time - and the grains that are used in feline renal failure
diets.
I am sure that Pogo would be better off if she could loose some weight. I have no
idea how much food she was eating, because they have always had kibble available
24/7, and she shared a cage with 2 other females.
I have moved her into a cage by herself. I am giving her 1/4 cup of food - and that
is gone within 8 hours, so I guess she needs more. But, when she sees food, she
just eats and eats and eats.
Since Sukie pointed out the link to the Maple Syrup Unrine Disease, I am wondering
if she has developed some kind of metabolic or enzyme deficiency disorder. She
does not have MSUD as it presents in humans, since she hasn't dispalyed any of the
symptoms other then the odor. But, it could be a similar mechanism that presents
differently in a different species.
My concern with grains is probably related to the fact I have several ferrets that have
food allergies either to grains or chicken. However, we know that grains are not
particularly good for ferrets. Yet, any renal failure diets that are currently available
have fairly high grain contents.
My own vet has stated that unfortunately, there is not good diet currently available
for ferrets with renal failure, and one needs to be developed. But, that we also don't
really know what is needed for ferrets with renal failure, because the research has
not been done. Until it is done, we are stuck setteling for something that might
help.
One vet I know online did send me information on a product that I might want to
try, called Epakitin. He has not tried it on ferrets, but says it does appear to help
cats and dogs. For anyone else dealing with renal failure in a ferret that wants to
know more about it, here is a link to an online informational brochure. I plan on
asking my vet to get some for me to try.
http://66.187.129.130/vetoquinol_pdfs/Epakitin.pdf
--
Danee DeVore
International Ferret Congress Health Issues Coordinator
http://www.ferretcongress.org
ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!
For more information visit: http://www.ferretadv.com
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Visit: http://help4adv.terrabox.com/
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