Question Regarding Ferret Supplements

[halbear]

I have been doing research on how to strengthen my ferrets immune systems and how to promote health and I came across the website listed below:
www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/ferret.htm

There were several supplements listed that can be added to a ferrets diet. Two of the supplements are Marine Phytoplankton (consist of an immense arsenal and array of naturally occuring powerful phytochemicals, biochemicals, supercharged antioxidants, free-radical scavengers, super oxide dismutases, nutrients, enzymes, hormones, amino acids, antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals), and Transfer Factor (to boost the immune system). The Transfer Factor is called 4Life Transfer Factor® Tri-Factor™ Formula, and the Marine Phytoplankton is called Marine PhytoPlankton - FrequenSea.
I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of these supplements being used successfully in ferrets. I have two female ferrets, one is five years old and the other is six years old. Both ferrets are currently on a prednisone suspension for insulinoma, and I was told that the two aforementioned supplements could help to detoxify their bodies and strengthen their immune systems. I only wish that I had learned about the holistic approach long ago. I would greatly appreciate any feedback and/or advice anyone could provide me. Thanks!

Cristina

[Heather]

Hi Cristina
I will be honest, I"ve never used these products. The site does create a good argument If you feed a natural diet (however method you're comfortable with, ground raw, prefab frozen, whole meat or frankenprey, or a totally prey diet) with plenty of variety (feeding only chicken isn't it ), limited to no vaccinations you shouldn't require much in the way of supplementation. I use a marine small fish oil, sparringly, sometimes some kelp...that's it. If it makes you feel more comfortable to supplement, then do so It probably won't hurt, but please remember that the food that we eat isn't dead or devoid of nutrients (we'd all be dead if that was the case ). I find myself feeling uncomfortable when people tell me half truths to get me to buy something. I guess I'm an eternal scynic . I've been feeding a natural diet for better than 10 yrs, I'm rather used to being lied to by this point in time not only by the powers that tell me I"m killing my furbabies but also by those that tell me because I feed raw my food is not balanced or complete and I have to add expensive supplements.
I do know where you're coming from regarding sick ferrets, I've had my share. Presently, I have my Aremis, who is battling lymphomas and on pred. I don't like the drug, but it's the only way I've been able to get him to stabalize As long as he gets a half dose daily, he absorbs his food and puts on healthy weight and is active. I know that the pred will eventually destroy his liver and kidneys (that's the legacy of the drug) but he's 7 yrs old and his quality of life is good as long as I feed the pred. I want him to enjoy his life, however long that will be.
How I feed and supplement is not anothers Cup a tea . If you want to, and feel that it has it's benefits take a good look at what's in the supplement. Anything with a petrochemical base isn't good for your furbabies and some herbals are not any good either....unfortunately, there are very few studies done for ferrets specifically. Quite often if it's good for cats then it can be used for ferrets. Ferrets like cats do not metabolise some herbals and definitely not any essential oils as it builds up in their blood stream. So perhaps someone has tried these supplements and can state honestly if they worked or not, otherwise it's very much buyer beware....if it sounds too good to be true then chances are it is I wish you luck, I just lost a little girl that I was treating for lymphomas (it turns out in the end it was the brain tumour that was her downfall, poor little thing, not the lymphomas). I know how difficult it is. Give your furbabies a hug from me...they're real little troupers as are all our little sick ones. I hope you find the solution or at least a way to keep them with you longer.
ciao

[halbear]

Heather,
Thank you so much for your feedback. Yes, you are right if it sounds to good to be true it probably is. There are just so many scams now days. It can be very difficult to differentiate between good products and bad ones. Again, I thank you for your advice!! Take care!

Cristina

[mustelidmusk]

The phytoplankton is a good source of trace minerals, which in turn supports the immune system. I do provide trace minerals for my ferret, but not through phytoplankton. A lot of commerical supplements (such as Nupros) and commercial diets (even raw ones) have the phytoplankton.

The Transfer Factor is a different type of thing - it's more than simple nutrition, and it's supposed to balance out the immune system. I did find that the Transfer factors helped my ferrets' health in that they seemed stronger and healthier in spite ofall the things they had going on.

The transfer Factor is very expensive. I'm not sure you an buy small amounts directly from 4-Life, and if my memory serves me correctly, the self-life isn't all that long...My vet uses the TF, so I can get smaller quantities from him. I start using the the TF about 2 weeks before I give my brats vaccinations (when they get them).

SOme people have had good luck with colostrum, which also helps the immune system. I've never ued colostrum, but it's a lot cheaper than the TF.

I have also given medicinal mushroom extract (agaricus and reishi).

I give the immune support stuff onand off (a few weeks on, then about 4 weeks off)

I give the trace minerals (less than the recommended dose) on a more regular basis.

Montmorillonite clay is also in the Nature's Variety frozen raw diet. I have used clays to treat the runs.

I also use velvet antler as a source of trace minerals...I use this sparingly and I don't use the antlers and the o trace minerals at the same time...I tend to rotate supplements and give less than the recommended dose.

I also use fish oil (salmon). I tried flax seed oil, but the ish oil seems to help their coat more than the flax. (Flax oil deteriorates very rapidly as well.

-jennifer


-jennifer

[halbear]

Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your feedback. Do you know what the recommended dosage of both the Transfer Factor and the Phytoplankon are per ferret? One website recommended a couple drops of Phytoplankton per ferret once daily, and 1/4 of a tablet of Transfer Factor per ferret per day. What is your take on this? Again, thank you for your advice!!

Cristina

[mustelidmusk]

Hi,

For Transfer Factor, I use the 4-Life Animal Stress Pack. I give 1 average pinch once per day (It's a powder, so it can be mixed in with baby food, etc.) I have no clue how the tablets may differ. When my first ferrets had issues, I gave the TF daily when I had my first ferrets, who had health problems. My current brats are healthy (so far), so I gave the TF 2 days on, 2 weeks on, two weeks off throughout their baby vaccinations and I used the rest up until it ran out.

I don't know how much may be concentrated in the phytoplankton drops...you may be able to find some dosing for cats and figure out what might be required based upon weight. Unless the drops contain some other wierd ingredients, a couple drops per day is probably OK.

One thing to keep in mind is that the TF has vitamins A, E, etc. So does the phytoplankton, so you may not want to be giving both at the same time.

My brats did improve while on transfer factor, but they also were getting other treatments as well. There's no way to really determines if or how much benefiit was gained from the supplements - but I'd do it again because it didn't hurt either

-jennifer