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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2012 2:26:24 GMT -5
I was wondering if there are any studies showing how often raw fed ferrets get insiloma compared to kibble fed? I'm certain it would have to be a lower risk since it would essentially cut out carbs and artificial additives and sugars but I'm looking for a number of just how much it cuts the chance.
I read the studies on how light and darkness lowers or is thought to lower the risk of AD. I believe at least 1 study said it cut the chances by 60% but then another study was done that was more controlled and said the amount if light effected a fewer numb than first thought. Still I am limiting the exposure to light anyway just to be safe.
As I am strongly considering going raw I am curious to collect statistics on the bennefits of raw compared to kibble. I'm pretty well sold on the idea already but I have 2 friends that also have ferrets and they, like me, will want to know the numbers.
My biggest hold up on feeding raw is that I'm a bit OCD about germs and parasites, I hate touching raw meat but I can work around that by wearing my meat gloves. Parasites though seriously freak me out to the point of panic so I need an honest answer to this next question...
Have any of you feeding a raw diet ever had your fert comedown with any type of worm from eating raw?
Thank you for your time
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Post by katt on Dec 17, 2012 3:41:08 GMT -5
If the meat has worms you have bigger issues. I buy human grade meat, most of it comes from the grocery stores. I'd be pretty PO'd if there were worms in my meat. I have never heard of someone's animal getting parasites from a GOOD raw diet. If you get meat from an unclean source, feed improperly prepared wild meat, or feed spoiled meat that is where the risks come in. Good quality, fresh meat should NEVER contain parasites.
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Post by Heather on Dec 17, 2012 3:42:06 GMT -5
Don't know of any stats to help you sorry. No one is going to be able to afford that information. All studies are run by kibble companies and they're definitely not going to back any study like that  I've had over 30 ferrets that have eaten a raw diet (now this is switched, some of them have been on some real garbage before I got them)....I've had 3 insulinoma ferrets. I think those are fairly good odds I have never had any of my pets...cats, dogs or ferrets get worms while on a raw diet....and yes, I've paid to have stool samples analysed. Benefits....hmmm, better recouperation time after being ill. Cleaner teeth. Less smell. Less stools. Proper hydration. Lower vet bills (they don't get sick as often....but don't let that fool you, they're still ferrets so you are going to be visiting the vet  ) More energy.....I'm sure I've forgotten something....softer coats... I'm an old time raw feeder (almost 20 yrs). I would never, ever go back to kibbles. I've even managed to convince my vet it's the way to go ;D ciao |
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Post by Thérèse on Dec 17, 2012 5:23:58 GMT -5
Try Bob Church. He did a very comprehensive study on ferrets. Collecting DNA samples etc from pet ferrets world wide, european polecats and the feral ferrets in New Zealand. Those he collected DNA from he did a brief examination of and also had the owners complete a questionaire that covered things like food, enrichment, where they live etc. He also collected as many bodies as he could to study.
He presented some preliminary findings to us at the 2nd IFCA (International Ferret Congress of Australia) Ferret Health Symposium in 2009. I know with his study of the bodies that all the ferrets which had been fed processed food as even just part of the diet had insulinoma (ie tumours on their pancreases), even those who had never been diagnosed with insulinoma or shown any symptoms, and those on a natural diet did not. This indicates that eating processed foods will lead to pancreatic tumours but that ferrets have some tolerance for them and other factors come into play as to if and when they will become a problem for the ferret.
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Post by Sherry on Dec 17, 2012 10:08:22 GMT -5
I'm looking for a number of just how much it cuts the chance. If weaned onto raw, then the odds of developing insulinoma are very remote. If not, but weaned onto kibble instead- you won't have any concrete numbers. Yes, it lowers the risk by the simple expedient of stopping the damage being done to the pancreas. However, a raw diet will not REPAIR the damage already done by the kibble. So that's where the type of kibble comes into play, as well as the genetics of your ferret. Have any of you feeding a raw diet ever had your fert comedown with any type of worm from eating raw? Never. Never had this happen, or heard of it happening  If you feed wild meat, toss it into the deep freeze(chest freezer) for 2-3 weeks. That kills any parasites Human grade store bought meat will be free of any parasites to begin with. No matter what the myth says- feeding raw does not cause worms |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2012 10:43:53 GMT -5
Thank you all for your replies.
I think I will start switching them
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Post by Sherry on Dec 17, 2012 10:48:46 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2012 11:50:37 GMT -5
Thank you, I'll be sure to read that today.
I hope my parasite question didn't offend anyone but I am just freakish about that. When I take my animals to the vet I have Clorox wipes with me wiping everything down before they have contact with it. My vet was a bit insulted at first until she got my pit bulls history.
Luna was rescued from the county pound. When I got her she tested pos. and was symptomatic for parvo. The vet at that time where we lived told me I should return her to the pound and that the likelyhood if survival was slim. He was an old farm vet. I spoon fed Luna homemade chicken and rice and sat with her for 2 weeks bottle feeding when necessary to keep her from dehydrating. To the surprise of the vet and my husband she did get through it and is still with me today getting to be an old dog BUT, the downside to it all is the new vet believes that because of being so sick as a puppy that is why she is so allergic to everything....EVERYTHING now . I mean she is allergic to grass, to fleas (even just walking across her skin) contact with pollen, all sorts of things. She can't go outside because of the severity of her reactions and when the our other dog goes out that one has to be wiped down with a damp rag before coming in contact with Luna.
Luna was in horrid shape when we got her and shortly after getting her my cats got worms from being in contact with her those first couple days before finding out just how bad off Luna was. We got her on Friday and by Sunday afternoon it was clear I had a problem brewing. So you can see I had a full blown mess of illness and infestation and it took quite a while to get it all under control so that all my babies were at a healthy state. Now I am crazy freaky about it.
With the exception of Luna loosing her eyesight I have been illness, para sight and flea free in the house for over 8 years now and I am just trying my best to make sure it stays that way.
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Post by Sherry on Dec 17, 2012 12:13:47 GMT -5
No, you didn't offend anyone Of course you should be asking questions prior to starting out on anything. With Luna- have you tried using reishi mushrooms to help reduce the severity of her reactions? It's a natural antihistamine. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2012 16:05:37 GMT -5
No, you didn't offend anyone Of course you should be asking questions prior to starting out on anything. With Luna- have you tried using reishi mushrooms to help reduce the severity of her reactions? It's a natural antihistamine. No, I have never tried that and will definitely look into it. We can't give her benedryl as much as she would need it to be able to go outside because the vet said that using antihistamines over time further weaken their ammune systems and give them a higher risk of cancers. It would be a wonderful thing if we could find an alternative so she could play outside in her golden years. There are times that I question if I did the right thing when she was sick if the result is truly what caused all of her allergies. For the most part she seems content and is very loving but there are times it makes me sad to think she is missing out. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2012 16:12:26 GMT -5
Ok, seriously? WOW... I just read www.ilovedogs.com/2012/03/what-is-reishi-and-how-will-it-help-my-dog/#.UM-JS3y9KSMI can't believe a vet has never mentioned this too me, I mean I know that the vets around me are old farm animal vets for the most part but wow! If these claims are true it is pretty amazing.Im going to check not only with my vet but with my own Doctor for my own health problems too! You are like some amazing person to know all of this stuff! Thank you for this info and I will definitely let you know how it goes. I could just hug you for the hope! |
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Post by Sherry on Dec 17, 2012 18:00:50 GMT -5
Since reishi is a holistic remedy most allopathic vets refuse to believe they help at all.
Would you consider a raw diet for her? I know that has helped some with bad allergies as well.
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Post by Sherry on Dec 17, 2012 18:08:01 GMT -5
Here's a link to a page called "holistic dog". They have several other links as well as a yahoo group. I'm not familiar with them, but they may have other ideas that might help. www.holisticdog.org/index.shtml |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2012 18:16:06 GMT -5
At one time I had talked to the vet about that but she had said that because I have had to keep her in a near sterile and very controlled environment that her immune system might not be able to handle raw. Since reishi is suppose to boost the immune system though I would think if we get her on it that over time she just might be able to handle raw.
The possibilities all this could open up is very exciting, I am waiting for a call back about an appointment for Luna though I doubt I'll hear from them until tomorrow.
After my husbands friend leaves I'm getting on my pc so I can upload pictures, where would I put them on this site?
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Post by Sherry on Dec 17, 2012 19:51:38 GMT -5
TBH, a raw diet would likely help boost her immune system. Especially if you make sure the meat isn't left for long. The only possible problem I could see would be the initial detox.
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