From:
"Shirley Hewett"
Date: 2007-06-17 11:54:17 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Was Food question Innova Evo Ferret, now Periodontal Disease
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Periodontal disease is often referred to as "The Invisible Disease"
because it is not apparent on a cursive vet check. Nor is it
apparent by simply lifting the ferret's lip and checking for tartar
build-up or gum redness. (These symptoms are very apparent when a
ferret is then fed a soft, wet diet.)
The RESULTS of cracked and worn teeth are very apparent: They can
include failure of all, or some, of the major organs eg kidneys,
heart, spleen, liver etc. Rarely, if ever, do post mortems of such
ferrets include a microscopic investigation of the teeth.
"The inflammation in the gingiva that allows the body=92s defenses to attac=
k the invaders also allows those invaders to gain access to the body. The b=
acteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and be carried to the bodi=
es. Studies have shown that these bacteria will be filtered out by the kidn=
ey and liver, and can cause microabscesses on these organs. This leads to a=
decrease in function of these vital organs over time. "
http://www.avds-online.org/info/periodontaldisease.html
"Whilst dental disease is unpleasant =96 leading to bad breath, pain, disch=
arges and often the loss of teeth; the effects do not stay confined to the =
mouth. Bacteria spread via the bloodstream and can attack the kidneys, hear=
t, liver =96 indeed the whole body."
http://www.petsmile.org/public/disease.asp
"As the bacteria progresses further down the tooth, the gum is pulled furth=
er and further away, the jawbone literally erodes away, and the periodontal=
ligament can no longer hold the tooth in the socket. The tooth rots out, o=
r is removed when we clean the teeth. The bacteria that eventually causes t=
his erosion enters the bloodstream and can cause disease in other organs "
http://lbah.com/dent.htm
Despite claims to the contrary, remember that anecdotal research is
sometimes used in professional nutrition and even medicine, where
it's referred to as "case studies." Also, the publication of
anecdotal evidence is frequently responsible for uncovering areas
later pursued in peer-reviewed research, and has its value when
little formal knowledge of any kind is available. As many of the
topics discussed on this site have been little studied as yet in
terms of rigorous research, it is my belief that anecdotal evidence
in these areas is worthwhile, at the least, to stimulate interest and
uncover topics worth a further look.
There is no money to be gained from research into the benefits of
ferrets that are fed a natural diet; therefore, any multinational or
well-financed group will do no research. For this reason, anecdotal
evidence is the best evidence that we have, and is not to be
decried. Nor is all available information available on the `net.=20
Many vets that I have spoken to support a "natural diet" but are so
busy or otherwise engaged that they have no time to publish their
findings and beliefs.
A person may have experience with a handful of ferrets, that have
been kept in the same way, over a number of years, but this does NOT
qualify that person to be able to comment on ferrets that have been
kept in different ways over the years, despite having the recourses
of the `net.
The addy that I most refer to is http://www.rawmeatybones.com because
it, and its links, is very easily understood, is provided by a very
well qualified and experienced vet and has the support of many peers.
There comes a time when we, as ferret lovers, need to step aside from
what is considered "the norm", and, instead, take into account what
is best for our ferrets. Do we want to believe the latest statistics
that recommend that it is more healthy to eat at a restaurant than at
home, or do you prefer to believe that "home cooked" is best? Do you
believe that "Mother Nature" has it all wrong and that food prepared
by the fast food giants is better.
Let's keep it all in perspective.
Shirley
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Sukie Crandall <sukie@...> wrote:
>
> You know, while there are often a lot of warnings of periodontal=20
> disease, especially in diet discussions, there are very few posts=20
> from people who have actually encountered it in their ferrets.
>
> In our 26 years with ferrets in our family we have had only one
who=20
> showed indications of moving into it and that was only when she
had=20
> been on a soft diet for a prolonged time, which was unavoidable
give=20
> her condition. Soft diets HAVE been very clearly demonstrated by=20
> careful study with good challenges to be a cause of gum disease.
>
> No other diet has. There are hypotheses, of course, but what is=20
> needed are real studies and real challenges by real experts.=20
Until=20
> then the hypotheses might or might not hold water.
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