From:
"DaneeD"
Date: 2009-09-23 23:55:32 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: A protein debate, not a food type debate
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Sukie Crandall <sukie@...> wrote:
>
> 2. Cystine uroliths which absolutely require the reduction of 4 amino
> acids: cystine, ornithine, lysine, and arginine so the easiest route
> is to decrease protein in general. Both Hilbert and Morney would have
> been dead in their first years without protein reductions to no more
> than 35%.
True, but the majority of bladder stones seen in ferrets are not cystine uroliths, and cystine uroliths are most commonly related to a genetic defect that causes excretion of high levels of cystine in the urine due to an inherited transport defect in the proximal renal tubules.
Most ferret bladder stones are caused by an improper pH in the urine, which can be caused by plant proteins. Metobalism of the organic acids in plant proteins produces an alkaline urine that promotes the crystalization of minerals. The normal pH of the urine of an obligate carnivore is too low to allow crystalization to take place.
Danee
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