From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-02-14 19:24:01 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Cranberries
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Cranberries, blueberries, and possibly bilberries contain
a tannin that prevents bacteria from clinging to the sides
of the urinary track, especially in the bladder, but if I recall
right it is denatured by boiling.
We have in the past found both cranberries and blueberries
to be a useful addition when dealing with some types of urinary
problems in ferrets, so do give them sparingly as treats to have
the ferrets used to them just as we give fresh banana sparingly
so that ferrets know it and are more likely to accept it if they
ever need to be on diuretics and need the potassium in banana.
Fish oil (not cod liver oil) is also a health related treat here; it is
good for many things, especially kidneys, and it is given more
often.
(BTW, the rate of insulinoma is low in our family. If you add on
any other pancreatic problems we have encountered in them
(lymphoma, carcinoma) with the cases of insulinoma the rate
here over 26 years is still below 20% so I guess we are doing
something reasonably right (and our adrenal disease rate in
that time is about 1/3). Ours get kibble, BTW, and all but one
have been early neuters. They also get a LOT of exercise and
they get a lot of darkness, and regular medical care, of course.
We avoid panda headed and blaze headed ferrets because of
them being so prone to assorted problems, but do currently have
two who have incomplete mitts -- another neural crest genetic
variant marking -- and those two actually are urinary tract
patients because both get cystine stones if they are not properly
cared for.)
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/