From:
"Kim"
Date: 2012-02-12 20:09:15 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Insulinoma Question
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Just a few hundred years ago it was simply a "hypothesis" that the world was indeed round - not FLAT as was was then the accepted KNOWN fact.
Its typical for a reply to point fingers at genetics as the insulinoma causative. Rather than the actual reason that ferrets have been simply forced to eat products they are just not designed to eat.
This link to an article written by a veterinarian clearly indicates the reason behind insulinoma as being the problems caused by ingestion of carbohydrates creating imbalances of blood sugars - which the pancreas attempts to level out. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=189&A=2427&S=0
Ingesting carbs causes peaks and valleys of blood sugar levels. Whole prey and raw meaty bones simply do NOT cause such highs and lows so their pancreas gets to do what it was designed to do naturally.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores and their extremely large pancreas is intended to swiftly create enzymes to aid in digesting raw meats and bones from the prey they evolved to devour. Can the pancreas create enzymes to TRY to handle the upset caused by carbohydrates? Yes, but this rescue attempt day in and day out comes with consequences. That consequence is insulinoma.
Four ferrets rehomed with me that came to me with insulinoma troubles were not "fancy colored" ferrets. Three of them that have passed were standard black sables. One was a champagne with longer hair, but not a true angora. So from that standpoint of a small sampling - the standard colored ferrets expired from insulinoma at a greater rate than the fancy colored ferrets.
High white patterns and neural crest disorders have been linked, but still you cannot dismiss an inappropriate diet by simply playing the genetics card.
Think of it this way: If you have two pea seeds from the same pod and plant one into arable, good topsoil and plant the other in dirt along the curb side which do you think would grow to become a productive plant? Which one will grow strong roots, sturdy stems, broad leaves, ample flowers, develop productive seeds? Only if conditions come close to what the pea needs will the curbside plant take root - but it will be a precarious existence at best and the plant will never be as healthy as its sister rooted in proper soil.
Ferrets "roots" belong in the predator world - not the plant world. Their teeth, jaws, claws and body tell us what they evolved to eat. Their domestic history put them in our homes because they are outstanding predators and the bane to all manner of animals that humans consider vermin!
It is humans that want to hide their heads in the sand and "sanitize" this ancestral heritage by feeding the ferret convenience foods. Current ferrets are owned by people that have no knowledge (or very little knowledge) of this predatory nature. Their perception of the ferret's dietary needs comes from what is plastered on the outside of processed kibble bags. Turning to vets isn't much help, unless that vet is progressive and recognizes the ferret's true nature and only if that vet is willing to share such information with an all too often stunned client. Vets get their education from places subsidized by large kibble manufacturers and they get precious little information on nutrition.
Still, in the year 2012 there have been no scientific studies to prove (to those that need proof) the nutritional requirements of ferrets. This is sad, considering the tremendous benefits medically that have been obtained by using ferrets as lab animals. Instead the vets get all manner of schooling in managing disease.
Why not PREVENT the disease? We vaccinate in order to PREVENT many diseases - why not simply feed to prevent diseases we KNOW are created by wrong food sources?
Once a ferret's pancreas has tipped the scales into cancer a dietary change will not reverse the damage, but it can stall the impending doom. I KNOW- I've seen it happen!
I've also seen and held those ferrets dying from insulinoma, regardless of their knew, freely chosen carnivorous diet and I wouldn't wish such a death on ANY animal!
Their lives are already under tremendous stress from being caged, unnatural lighting, inactivity, and such that we subject them to in order to call them our pets. Add to this the only choice they have to survive is to eat products they weren't designed to and then point the finger at their genetics when they succumb to disease is not being responsible.
Ferrets are not naturally obese animals. Obesity happens as a result of a simple process: too many calories in, not enough getting burned. Once the scales get tipped past the body's balancing point all manner of health problems show up. Some can be reversed, some cannot. As ferret caretakers, it is up to us to monitor what goes in to our ferrets- they certainly cannot shop for themselves.
My horse will happily down fried chiken and hamburgers- does that mean I can feed her these things as her daily meals? Absolutely not! Just as I wouldn't feed my horse like a wolf, I refuse to feed my ferrets like a cow! And I encourage EVERY ferret owner out there to awaken that carnivore within their fuzzy friend. You'll be amazed at their transformation and add time to their precious short lives!
Cheers,
Kim
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