| ign="center"> | | | | wrong diet can also lead to other food-related |
| Insulinoma is probably a word you do not hear | | | | illnesses as well as a shortened life span. |
| every day. It is the term veterinarians refer to | | | | If you know for sure that you are feeding your |
| for cancer of the beta cells of the pancreas in | | | | ferret a good high-quality meal but you suspect |
| ferrets. Apparently, the ferret disease insulinoma | | | | that he is gaining excessive weight, bring him in to |
| is reaching epidemic proportions among this | | | | see the vet. Unexplained weight gain may be a |
| species. It also seems to be a disease related to | | | | symptom of an enlarged spleen. It could also |
| your ferret's diet. The first part of the word | | | | mean he is retaining fluid in his abdominal cavity. |
| gives you an idea of the cause. The word "insulin" | | | | Some ferrets, do experience that so-called |
| in reference to blood sugar. Now you probably | | | | "middle age" weight gain. And some will get slightly |
| know where I am going here. | | | | heavier throughout the winter months. But for the |
| The metabolism of blood sugar in your ferret is | | | | most part, obesity is not a problem you or your |
| very sensitive to dietary disruption. Diets | | | | ferret need to overly concerned about. Just as |
| containing too much carbohydrates cause the | | | | long as his diet is properly balanced. |
| pancreas to produce higher levels of insulin as a | | | | One other thing to be concerned is ferret kibble. |
| natural reaction to the high levels of glucose in the | | | | You need to make sure that the first three |
| blood. If this sounds like diet-induced (or type 2 | | | | ingredients are all meat products. Then you need |
| diabetes) you are close. The causes are similar, | | | | to make sure that it does not contain any corn. |
| but the results are different. Unlike with diabetes, | | | | Do not feed your ferret any kibble that contains |
| some ferret experts say that the cells in the | | | | dried portions of fruit and vegetables. You also |
| pancreas do not just burn themselves out, but | | | | need to be concerned about the starch and |
| they actually change their growth pattern. And | | | | carbohydrates in kibbles. Most kibble foods contain |
| this new, strange carbohydrate induced pattern | | | | macro-nutrients which are composed of nearly 20 |
| causes a cancerous state. | | | | to 30 percent of digestible carbohydrates. You |
| Let me advise briefly about what not to give | | | | must consider the starch and carbohydrate |
| your ferret, if you are expect him to remain | | | | content of the kibble. Starches and sugars are |
| healthy and vibrant. Do not feed him fruits or | | | | foods that the ferret just cannot digest. The |
| vegetables. Also do not feed him starches or | | | | higher the levels of carbohydrates in your ferret |
| sugars. Feeding your ferret the wrong kinds of | | | | kibbles, the greater the chances of your pet |
| foods can lead to various health problems, not the | | | | developing some food-related illnesses, like |
| least of which is obesity. And they are pretty low | | | | gastroenteritis, and bladder stones. And nobody |
| to the ground as it is, you would not want the | | | | really wants that either. |
| ferret's little belly to be dragging the ground as he | | | | Maria is a ferret enthusiast. For more information |
| ran around he house. But more importantly, the | | | | on ferret disease , visit howtotakecareofferret. |