From:
kittydoc2@aol.com
Date: 2008-03-20 20:29:42 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Insulinoma and ferret diets
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi-
I just wanted to be sure everyone is clear on a few points regarding
insulinoma and ferrets:
-As far as I am aware, there is NO PROOF that inappropriate diets CAUSE
insulinoma. Insulinoma is a cancer. Logic of course dictates that we should
provide an appropriate diet for our companion animals for a multitude of reasons
running way beyond insulinoma. But, at this time - we do not KNOW that
diets lead to insulinoma. I have seen many ferrets fed an appropriate diet that
subsequently develop insulinoma, so it likely is not the only factor. I have
had this happen in my household with kits I have fed from early in life -
later becoming insulinomic. By all means - feed your ferret the best diet you
possibly can - but please do NOT mislead yourself into believeing your ferret
will never get insulinoma because of what you are feeding.
-Next, remember that prednisone is only one aspect of treatment for
insulinoma. Changing feeding frequency, food types (if the food was inappropriate),
and other medications as well as potentially surgery is another portion of
the treatment. Using only 1 of these treatments often leads to a less than
satisfactory outcome.
Lastly, I just want to make a general comment about "always and never" which
is so often seen on the internet. When we are dealing with living
creatures, they rarely all have read the book -- and always and never are hard to
apply. It is also important to distinguish between what has been "proven" and
what is "theorized". Many a theory are shown false once more information is
available. It is unwise to make huge management changes for your pets based on
a theory. It is PROVEN that ferrets need high protein, high fat, and low
carbohydrate diets for normal food metabolism and good nutrition. That we
know, is reliable, and should be followed. Any extrapolization from that is a
theory until proven.
Just a word to the wise - reading it on the internet doesn't make it true,
we all know that. But go to the veterinary websites for owners - like
veterinarypartner.com and others- and look up research papers to prove the theory.
There is a lot of stuff we simply don't know yet, and we need to be
realistic about what is known and what we are making educated guesses at.
Just trying to keep things in perspective.
Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP
**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL
Home.
(http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030000000001)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
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/