longevity studies?

[frettkamama]

I recently found a vet who, although an hour and a half away, is THE most experienced and educated with regards to ferrets in general, and ferret cardiac disease (my little baby Freja has a host of heart problems).

However, she is NOT keen on the raw diet, or even on Wysong. In fact, she only recommends Totally Ferret because she says it's the only ferret food out there with feeding trials and longevity studies. She says no other diet has the data to back it up.

So I have two questions: 1) ARE there any longevity studies on either freeze-dried raw, or raw in general? and 2)how important do the natural feeding pros here think it is to have data as well as testimonials?

I'd love to be able to educate my vet!

Thanks,

frettkamama
(Anna)

[Heather]

You will be very unlikely able to find any formal studies regarding health and longevity except by big corporations. These studies cost huge amounts of money and often cost many ferrets their lives as someone has to eat the garbage and be tested upon. I know that Bob Church is presently doing a study regarding raw vs kibbles and the effects of carbohydrates on ferrets. This study has taken him many years and many ferrets, I believe is supposed to be complete sometime in the next few years....sherrylynne posted some information regarding this study. There are no raw foods manufacturers that can afford this type of formal study, they're just not big enough to compete against these large conglomerates.
How important.... ....I know that I've got 17 ferrets in house, all on raw. My oldest is 11 yrs old, my youngest is about 2. Some have been fed the worst crap in a bag that can be purchased. I know that my guys are as healthy as they can be given genetic predispositions toward various diseases that attack ferrets. I know for a fact that through feeding raw, I've managed to keep my business relatively free of insulinoma....Pandora was my first ferret that I lost to insulinoma (I actually lost her to a surgery error but she had insulinoma)...I had just started feeding my guys raw just before her death. Zena was the next ferret that was diagnosed with insulinoma but it turned out to be a brain tumour. I've had over 30 ferrets in house. I know that I cannot repair the damage that has already been created by poor care and feeding but I firmly believe that by feeding raw, I've been able to offer my guys a longer, healthier life than if I was feeding kibbles. This is just my opinion
ciao

[sherrylynne]

Here's the link Heather is referring to: ferretharmony.com/viewtopic.php?t=1606 I'm not sure where it is on Holistic Ferrets here, but know where it's stickied on the forum listed
As for data? Not a clue where or if you'd find any other, but I do know a lot of vets aren't overly familiar with diet, so stick with what they've been told. Here's another good link: www.rawmeatybones.com/petowners.php

[frettkamama]

Thanks, gals, for your advice. Theoretically and philosophically, I know raw is best. I was just hoping for some scientific corroboration, since, like you said, doctors can be difficult to convince.

I'll check out that link.

Cheers,
frettkamama
(anna)

[fertsru]

Sept 23, 2009 9:19:03 GMT -5 @frettkamama said:

I was just hoping for some scientific corroboration.

A lot of studies are done for marketing purposes. I don't think chicken and beef producers are hurting for customers and are in bad need to prove their products. Thus no studies available.

I don't know if Heather read this recent email from Bob Church or just geniuses think alike. Follow this link to read his opinion on raw/whole diet. forum.ferret.com/tm.aspx?m=127829&high=bob+church

[sherrylynne]

That's the one I posted there, as well as at the above link One of my vets and I have simply agreed to disagree!
Also keep in mind- your vet is working for YOU, not the other way around.