Got lectured at the vet about how how raw is not good?

[dt241]

So I was at the vet for my ferret to get the des implant (which went smoothly btw!) and I told the tech that I had switched my ferret from wysong epigram 90 to a raw diet. I didn’t go in depth ABOUT THE WHOOOOLE frankenprey diet (I know she doesn’t care) but I did mention the variety and what not (as shown on the frankenprey menu).

She then went on a - very nice - but almost robotic lecture about how feeding raw isn’t good because it doesn’t guarantee she’s getting all her nutrients and that salmonella is a huge risk, and she may not be getting everything from the bones and it’s just incomplete/ risky to feed. And that she recommends feeding raw intermittently as snacks or treats with kibble and she recommend Totally Ferret or Mazuri ferret kibble (heard of both, not sure at all how they rank as I’m not a kibble expert....).

Well I do have the same concerns, but also mentioned that I heard somewhere that a ferret’s digestive tract is relatively short/ fast so the risk of salmonella is low...?

But she also said there’s just no way to make sure they’re getting all the nutrients needed... since the meat / bone marrow/ organs could be lacking in whatever nutrient.

Is that a possibility? I did notice my ferret has gained weight (not obese but dear God not as deathly skinny, her fur is much fuller and softer and I don’t know if it’s because she’s opening up more or the raw food - but her personality has changed and she is SOO much more hyper and active and curious).

So it’s like... I’m seeing positive results from what I think is the raw food (I just got the implant a few days ago, been feeding raw for a few weeks so everything I’m mentioning now has been before the implant) - but I’m also confused and concerned cause that is true there’s no way to measure the nutrients or vitamins in the specific meat I’m feeding in that time that she eats and digests it............. advice and/ or opinions....?

[Charlie]

Most vets will say that about salmonella. I think they are more concerned about us (the people) of getting salmonella. You did read correct that ferrets' digestive tracts are very short so there isn't any time for them to get sick.

I would think once the meat has been cooked that's when all the nutrients from the bones and meats would be lost. Ferrets out in the wild eat whole prey so it's like saying those wouldn't have any nutrients when that wouldn't be the case. The only difference from whole prey and the meat we get from the store is that those meats are butchered and cleaned and portioned. Like a rabbit, for instance, wether it was hunted or from the grocery store the only difference is the ones in the stores are skinned and cleaned.

The results you are seeing with your ferret is from the raw food you are feeding!

I'd rather feed raw to my ferret to help prevent insulinoma. There are fillers and vegetables and sugars in kibble, which isn't good for obligate carnivores.

[fuzzylover]

Some vets are against raw because some clients they see aren't doing it right & the pet can end up not getting all the nutrients he needs. But it sounds like you did your research and offer a variety, which is key.
I say if your fuzzy is happy & healthy on the diet you have him on, stick with it.
I've had ferrets on raw & some rescues on a high quality kibble that refused to eat raw. Both lived long healthy lives.

[caitmonster]

If you'd like a chart of the nutritional composition of different proteins there is one here: The Importance of Variety and Nutritional Content of Meats

On average vets do tend to advocate against raw--though the convention of feeding kibble is beginning to be overturned by the anecdotal and scientific evidence for raw feeding. You're not alone in having to be your ferret's best advocate in this regard. I had the vet I took Rocky to for a DES implant try to sell me Totally Ferret, too, claiming it was specially formulated for ferrets (then why does it have wheat, rice, corn, AND beet pulp in the top 10 ingredients, I wanted to ask?? ).

The whole point of the ratios of meat, bone, and organs provided in the frankenprey diet is to mimic their natural diet of whole prey that they are designed to consume and thrive on. If you follow that, and the other dietary suggestions like the minimum suggested variety of proteins, your ferret will be inherently more healthy than it would be on kibble.

[Sherry]

Vet's receive about 8 hrs of dietary instruction out of a four year course. And those 8 hrs are taught by Hill's/Science Diet.

[crazylady]

Hi I have fed raw for years ( whole prey and various other meats) not one of mine have suffered from salmonella and believe me they have eaten a lot of wild prey ( I used to work my ferrets doing rabbit pest control now I do it at odd times for fun and to top up the freezer lol) vets are all for processed and dried food because if they sell it they get a cut of the profit from sales ! you are giving your ferret the best diet think wild ferret what would that live on ? certainly not hills diet hanging off a tree ! and ferrets have survived hundreds of years living on whole prey be it birds fish or rabbits even frogs! and birds eggs and worms so no your not the one feeding the wrong diet its strange how some vets in england are now beginning to take notice of the american vets mine refuses to spay or castrate unless it is an emergency due to the findings on adrenal disease he does thankfully still do vasectomies lol or my ladies would all be up the creek without a paddle come breeding season though I must confess come the end of breeding season my vas boys are sick of the sight of pretty ladies lol
Bev

[Heather]

I've been feeding raw to dogs, cats and ferrets for over 30 yrs. I've raised kits on a completely raw diet, without aids or supplements. It's the same diet you are instructed on how to use on this forum. Vets have seen it done wrong so many times that they are often against it rather than have to deal with the consequences. They don't have the ability to fix it by offering nutritional advice, because their training comes from Hills so they just lecture and hope you will fall into line with their ideas. You've already seen positive by using raw. If you've been following the menu and instructions as outlined on this page, it will be balanced. I've raised kits from meepers on this diet, using this format. Add kibble to your mix and you will unbalance the diet. I've butted heads with many a vet over diet, over the years. If they can look past the diet and do positive diagnosis without always harping on diet then stay with the vet. If you think every diagnosis is going to roll back to the diet and the vet blaming the diet then maybe you will need to find another vet
ciao

[dt241]

Thank you ALL so much! I read through each and every message. I really appreciate the supportive comments and different perspectives! Yeah I totally can see why they’d rather be against it in case an owner does it wrong... the vet told me the only way to safely feed a ferret raw is if I had a live animal and just gave it to my ferret as is to kill and eat (LOL... okay I don’t know how many people do that...)....

Thank you guys. I’m much more confident, and yes her fur has changed tremendously - I was shocked. She’s gained good weight, and overall much more hyper and enthusiastic - completely different ferret and for the better!

[Heather]

As you can see, when done properly, it is a wonderful tool. Unfortunately, vets often don't see it or see it done wrong or are willing to just be blind (my niece is one.....there is no talking to her). Sometimes, all you can do is walk away, there can not be a good working relationship and the vet will not see past their preconceived ideas. I've walked away from those toxic relationships. I've managed to change the minds of vets by just not mentioning or making it very clear my choices for diet is not theirs and it has, in many cases, nothing to do with the disease we're treating. It took my present vet 9 months to come around and then we talked. She's been supportive ever since.
ciao