From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2008-03-21 00:00:55 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Insulinoma and ferret diets
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, kittydoc2@... wrote:
>
> 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...
<SNIP>
Marvelous post, Dr. Kudrak-Mitchell!
It will be good when this is not just a hypothesis built as a variation from
the few diabetes studies on diet as *possible* cause of diabetes. I strongly
respect Dr. Mark Finkler who originated the hypothesis, and if people read
his papers they will notice that he is very, very careful to emphasize that it
IS just still a hypothesis. That logic and modesty are two of the things I
respect and like so much about him as a ferret person, of course.
When it is actually studied the hypothesis may pan out or may not, but that
IS the strength of real science (though not always of science reporting) in
that in real science there is careful study and it has to deal with challenges.
So, as opposed to faith which says, "Believe this and don't challenge it.",
science says, "Hit me with all the logical challenges you can find so we can
see if i am good enough", and if people actually bother to look things up
(too often not done) instead of rehashing the same things they find that
science really is built on strength rather than faith.
With the diabetes studies in humans the results conflict in relation to the
cause of diabetes...
Heck, there are not even insulinoma rates studies in ferrets yet. Can't talk
about rates without knowing actual rates...
Might it pan out? Sure. Might it not pan out? Sure. Would such studies lead
to useful information either way? YES. Of course.
Meanwhile there is nothing wrong with trying hypotheses, but historically
people and ferrets have been really hurt when hypotheses wind up
confused with what has been well demonstrated, so do yourselves a favor
and just remember when something is hypothetical so that you don't invest
too much into it emotionally or lapse a bit in terms of observation or medical
testing.
Hope that makes enough sense; I am just back from some family needs
related to Dad's passing, and am totally exhausted.
BTW, I am personally interested to find out how much of a role MEN
(Multiple Endocrinological Neoplasia) genetics and some other variants may
play in the development of insulinoma.
I have noticed that people who report that their ferrets get a great number
of hours of exercise daily SEEM to report very little insulinoma, but that
is merely an impression so be sure to read it with a boulder of salt handy.
Shouldn't hurt most ferrets, might help some. Notice the qualifiers...
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
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