Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2011 10:55:02 GMT -5
I posted this info (in response to something on the FML) and wanted to share this with you guys
I just wanted to correct a common misconception about raw eggs.
They are safe for ferrets (and dogs and cats). The myth originated from the fact that raw egg whites contain an enzyme, called avidin. This enzyme sequesters biotin and makes it unavailable.
However, here's why you don't have to worry.
1) Raw egg whites are only 0.05% avidin.
2) Raw egg yolks contain one of the highest concentrations of biotin found in nature.
There is plenty of biotin available in the egg yolk to overcompensate for the avidin in the egg white. As long as the entire egg is fed, there are no risks of biotin deficiency.
Obviously a diet of only egg whites would be an issue, but a couple raw eggs a week is definitely not dangerous in any way at all.
Now the topic of salmonella in eggs. Does anyone know the rate of salmonella in eggs? Based on info from 2002, 2.3 million out of every 69
BILLION. That's about 0.003% of all eggs. So it's pretty unlikely you'll end up feeding your ferret a salmonella infected egg. And it's not like there aren't pet food recalls every single year with salmonella contamination. Eggs are human grade, and are controlled and monitored much more closely than the pet food industry.
Next, the acidic stomach of a ferret is a bacteria-colonizing deterrent. This means the environment discourages any bacteria from taking over the host.
Lastly, the digestive track of ferrets is so short that it's extremely unlikely the ferret would become infected.
Even kibble fed ferrets shed salmonella in their stools. This just shows that most ferrets are not susceptible to salmonella and efficiently pass it without infection. When was the last time there was a report of a ferret with salmonella?
Wild polecats don't cook their eggs.
I will add a caveat that care should be taken with immunosuppressed ferrets. Nevertheless, the chances of your ferret getting salmonella from eggs is lower than the likelihood of it coming from kibble.
Eggs are also very rich in thiamine.
So to summarize my post:
1) Biotin deficiency will not result from feeding whole raw eggs.
2) Salmonella is generally not a risk in ferrets
Thanks,
Jaclynn
Chemistry/Biology
I just wanted to correct a common misconception about raw eggs.
They are safe for ferrets (and dogs and cats). The myth originated from the fact that raw egg whites contain an enzyme, called avidin. This enzyme sequesters biotin and makes it unavailable.
However, here's why you don't have to worry.
1) Raw egg whites are only 0.05% avidin.
2) Raw egg yolks contain one of the highest concentrations of biotin found in nature.
There is plenty of biotin available in the egg yolk to overcompensate for the avidin in the egg white. As long as the entire egg is fed, there are no risks of biotin deficiency.
Obviously a diet of only egg whites would be an issue, but a couple raw eggs a week is definitely not dangerous in any way at all.
Now the topic of salmonella in eggs. Does anyone know the rate of salmonella in eggs? Based on info from 2002, 2.3 million out of every 69
BILLION. That's about 0.003% of all eggs. So it's pretty unlikely you'll end up feeding your ferret a salmonella infected egg. And it's not like there aren't pet food recalls every single year with salmonella contamination. Eggs are human grade, and are controlled and monitored much more closely than the pet food industry.
Next, the acidic stomach of a ferret is a bacteria-colonizing deterrent. This means the environment discourages any bacteria from taking over the host.
Lastly, the digestive track of ferrets is so short that it's extremely unlikely the ferret would become infected.
Even kibble fed ferrets shed salmonella in their stools. This just shows that most ferrets are not susceptible to salmonella and efficiently pass it without infection. When was the last time there was a report of a ferret with salmonella?
Wild polecats don't cook their eggs.
I will add a caveat that care should be taken with immunosuppressed ferrets. Nevertheless, the chances of your ferret getting salmonella from eggs is lower than the likelihood of it coming from kibble.
Eggs are also very rich in thiamine.
So to summarize my post:
1) Biotin deficiency will not result from feeding whole raw eggs.
2) Salmonella is generally not a risk in ferrets
Thanks,
Jaclynn
Chemistry/Biology