From:
"Jeff"
Date: 2006-11-10 18:02:10 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Insulin/Blood Glucose levels
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
Hi Vicki:
The ground up kibble is still being used because Neo won't eat all-meat baby food or similar products. The kibble we used to use was 8-in-1 Ultra Blend Select for ferrets, which we assumed was a high quality ferret food. But, as I've learned more due to the insulinoma, I find that, as you say, it is too much grain-based, and thus was giving Neo too many carbs. I do believe that it is a main cause of his condition. Ferrets are not meant to eat much, if any, in the way of grains. The new kibble I'm grinding up is almost all meat and meat by products, much lower in grains. We need it for some substance in the 'gruel'.
As far as the insulin reading, I know that in and of itself it is not all that important, but I am still trying to get an idea of what 'normal' levels for BG and insulin are, to give me some idea of how far off Neo is. You are right that the BG level is more important, but even with the change of diet and meds Neo's level remains very low, in the 30's.
I keep searching for some possible holistic treatments, but they are hard to find for ferrets. If you come across any, please send them along for me to read about.
Thanks very much,
Jeff