From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2012-02-04 22:42:18 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Ferret with Kidney Failure
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
While I completely agree that raisins should not be given to ferrets because of a potential risk of renal failure, I was recently asked by a veterinarian to see whether I could find any official report or study that confirmed their toxicity in ferrets. Even anectodal accounts were asked for.
I could not find any reports or studies or any kind of evidence to support the statement that raisins cause renal failure in ferrets. I was astounded not to find ANY accounts. I did find numerous warnings against feeding raisins to ferrets.
Therefore, I contacted the ASPCA Poison Control Centre to see how many reports they may have had of raisin toxicity in ferrets. This was the response I received:
"...we only have one case (from 1995) where a ferret ingested about 50 raisins and developed kidney failure. However, there was also a possible exposure to Aleve (a known kidney toxin)."
Their official position is a caution against feeding raisins to ferrets but so far, there is no hard evidence to prove that they are toxic to ferrets. And the recommendation I received to pass on to ferret owners should their ferret ingest raisins is to watch the animal and see the vet if there is any vomiting, anorexia or lethargy within 24 hours.
Tressie
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Sukie Crandall <sukie@...> wrote:
>
> Okay, first off, NO raisins, grapes, or currants. Each of those can cause acute renal failure in ferrets, cats, and dogs. The mechanism was still unknown though many possible causes have been investigated.
...
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