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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 17:15:51 GMT -5
Is there any 'results' about those that feed raw and whether or not ferrets (thinking farm ferrets mostly but breeders too) seem to not get all these health issues?
Example... I just got my new little one who is about 12 weeks old and has jumped right into eating raw will he have a better chance of not getting insulinoma or whatever...compared to say my oldest one who probably was on Marshalls food for a year before I knew better and switched her to a higher quality kibble and now raw?
Are there ferrets who have been on raw all their lives and gotten some of these diseases at a young age? Or do they still get them just when they are older?
Just been thinking lots and had to ask....sorry:-/
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Post by Sherry on Feb 14, 2013 18:56:30 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 19:12:55 GMT -5
Insulinoma can be directly influenced by diet and Adrenal can be directly influenced with light control but many other cancers and diseases are based on the genetics of the individual animal. Feeding raw meat to ferrets vs kibble.. is basically like feeding premium gas vs crude oil to your car When you feed kibble they have a hard time getting the nutrients out of it because they can't digest most of the content(hence the huge poops). Their bodies are designed to digest, and get the most nutrients from raw meat and they are healthier when they get the most nutrients. To answer your questions there is a fair amount of research documenting the harm carbohydrates do in insulinomas cases. Also I trust the stories our mods who have been feeding raw 5x longer then I have. Your ferrets will eventually get sick(I very rarely hear about ferrets who have passed due to old age only) but they will be able to bounce back and manage it better on raw.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 19:20:40 GMT -5
I know Heather had a baby that got insulinoma even thought he was raw fed from 9 months old (or something like that). So I think genetics definitely plays a role in the development of it. But diet is a huge trigger and by feeding a raw diet, you can stack the odds in your favor.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 20:05:26 GMT -5
Thanks all...was just checking! Really glad I'm working on switching my kids!!
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Post by goingpostal on Feb 14, 2013 20:33:41 GMT -5
I can tell you there is a huge difference in health of my current raw fed crew than my previous kibble ones, even with my current senior 2 ferrets both having adrenal and insulinoma. They were both kibble fed up until a couple years ago. On raw they have maintained their blood sugar on a low dose of pred very well and their weight/coat/energy levels are great, tons better than I ever would have hoped for in the past. Unfortunately insulinoma is likely the only major disease you can make a dent with diet and even then not 100% with farmed ferrets. But you will increase overall health, keep your fuzz properly hydrated and avoid carbs with raw.
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