Post by jojodancer on Jun 20, 2008 10:18:25 GMT -5
Below is an article in Tom Lonsdale's RMB Newsletter, Volume 8:2.
(http://tinyurl.com/4l4b6u)
I think it's a bit harsh. And I have to admit I don't have the 2007 Edition of Ferret Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery, (nor do I have any edition) but it makes me wonder if not everything Bob has recommended was included in Tom Lonsdale's excerpt. I've heard Bob talk a few times, and he supports natural diets. I wonder if the quote was for the benefit of kibble feeders, and not ferret owners in general? For example, perhaps the blurb was taken from a section that dealt solely with kibble feeders?
I also wonder what *specifically* Lonsdale finds issue with.
=======================================
INTERNATIONAL FERRET CONGRESS AUSTRALIA
In early May 2008 the International Ferret Congress Australia was held in
Melbourne. I was privileged to present a paper and partake of a
delightful weekend in the company of a band of enthusiastic ferret
supporters.
My admiration and thanks go to Shirley Hewett, Shona Whaite and their
team of helpers for wonderful organisation and fine hospitality. Shirley
spoke about Diet Logistics and her ferret Jaikoy demonstrated diet
logistics by devouring whole mice in full view of the audience and
flashing cameras.
Whilst the weekend provided an excellent opportunity to deal with the big
issues affecting ferret health, in particular disease prevention, the
vets who spoke dished up heavy doses of vet diagnostic and treatment
protocols – for diseases that mostly afflict ferrets fed a junk-food
diet. These same vets, when asked what to feed ferrets recommended junk food. One American vet (or was he a pet-food salesman?) pushed the brand names of his preferred junk products!
Zooarchaeologist Bob Church is known for his passion ‘not only for
ferrets but also for Hawaiian shirts’. Mr Church showed pictures of
skulls and teeth of domestic ferrets devastated by junk food –- teeth
ground to the pulp cavity by abrasive kibble, broken teeth, missing
teeth, rampant periodontal disease, osteomyelitis, jaw bone abscesses and infection tracking throughout the skulls. By contrast his examinations of skulls from ferrets that had lived in the wild revealed little or no
pathology. Dried, bleached ferret skulls can’t tell the whole sorry
story –- but they add information to that well known from reliable
veterinary, medical, dental and nutritional sources.
Unfortunately Bob Church disregards existing sources of information and
jumps to absurd conclusions far removed from his own data -- data that,
when interpreted objectively, reveals the ravages of junk pet-food and
the connivance of an incompetent veterinary profession. Here are
his ‘Recommendations’ as published in the 2007 Edition of Ferret
Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery:
______________________
(quote)‘RECOMMENDATIONS
Ferrets require regular tooth brushing with a non-fluoridated dentifrice,
with periodic inspection with probing, cleaning and polishing by a
qualified veterinarian or veterinary technician. Cages should be modified
to prevent a ferret from using their teeth [sic] in an attempt to escape.
If a softer diet cannot be provided, kibble should be softened to
minimize its abrasive effect on the teeth. If a ferret consistently
desires to chew fabrics, they [sic] should be removed (shredded paper is
a good substitute for cloth bedding). Ferrets with bad breath, facial
swellings, loose teeth and bleeding, red or puffy gums should have dental
X-rays made to check for abscesses, bad teeth and bone loss.
Veterinarians should start regarding periodontal disease as a serious
threat to a ferret’s long-term health, rather than assuming it is just a
minor problem that does not need to be aggressively addressed.
Commercially available chewing treats, such as gelatin chews or edible
sticks, should be provided for stimulating the gums and satisfying the
urge to chew. Research needs to be done on the impact of periodontal
disease on ferret health, including its involvement in other organ
diseases.’(end quote)
That Mr Church intersperses elements of truth along with
nonsensical ‘Recommendations’ worsens the impact. How can pet owners distinguish truth from falsehood, what to accept and what to reject? That Bob Church’s ‘Recommendations’ are now printed and bound in a textbook ensures that they will circulate and do harm for years to come.
The animals have suffered long enough, they deserve better. It’s up to us
to speak on their behalf –- expose and root out the nonsense peddled by
pet-food companies, vets and self-styled experts.
Wishing you courage and strength in the mighty struggles ahead,
Tom Lonsdale
(http://tinyurl.com/4l4b6u)
I think it's a bit harsh. And I have to admit I don't have the 2007 Edition of Ferret Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery, (nor do I have any edition) but it makes me wonder if not everything Bob has recommended was included in Tom Lonsdale's excerpt. I've heard Bob talk a few times, and he supports natural diets. I wonder if the quote was for the benefit of kibble feeders, and not ferret owners in general? For example, perhaps the blurb was taken from a section that dealt solely with kibble feeders?
I also wonder what *specifically* Lonsdale finds issue with.
=======================================
INTERNATIONAL FERRET CONGRESS AUSTRALIA
In early May 2008 the International Ferret Congress Australia was held in
Melbourne. I was privileged to present a paper and partake of a
delightful weekend in the company of a band of enthusiastic ferret
supporters.
My admiration and thanks go to Shirley Hewett, Shona Whaite and their
team of helpers for wonderful organisation and fine hospitality. Shirley
spoke about Diet Logistics and her ferret Jaikoy demonstrated diet
logistics by devouring whole mice in full view of the audience and
flashing cameras.
Whilst the weekend provided an excellent opportunity to deal with the big
issues affecting ferret health, in particular disease prevention, the
vets who spoke dished up heavy doses of vet diagnostic and treatment
protocols – for diseases that mostly afflict ferrets fed a junk-food
diet. These same vets, when asked what to feed ferrets recommended junk food. One American vet (or was he a pet-food salesman?) pushed the brand names of his preferred junk products!
Zooarchaeologist Bob Church is known for his passion ‘not only for
ferrets but also for Hawaiian shirts’. Mr Church showed pictures of
skulls and teeth of domestic ferrets devastated by junk food –- teeth
ground to the pulp cavity by abrasive kibble, broken teeth, missing
teeth, rampant periodontal disease, osteomyelitis, jaw bone abscesses and infection tracking throughout the skulls. By contrast his examinations of skulls from ferrets that had lived in the wild revealed little or no
pathology. Dried, bleached ferret skulls can’t tell the whole sorry
story –- but they add information to that well known from reliable
veterinary, medical, dental and nutritional sources.
Unfortunately Bob Church disregards existing sources of information and
jumps to absurd conclusions far removed from his own data -- data that,
when interpreted objectively, reveals the ravages of junk pet-food and
the connivance of an incompetent veterinary profession. Here are
his ‘Recommendations’ as published in the 2007 Edition of Ferret
Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery:
______________________
(quote)‘RECOMMENDATIONS
Ferrets require regular tooth brushing with a non-fluoridated dentifrice,
with periodic inspection with probing, cleaning and polishing by a
qualified veterinarian or veterinary technician. Cages should be modified
to prevent a ferret from using their teeth [sic] in an attempt to escape.
If a softer diet cannot be provided, kibble should be softened to
minimize its abrasive effect on the teeth. If a ferret consistently
desires to chew fabrics, they [sic] should be removed (shredded paper is
a good substitute for cloth bedding). Ferrets with bad breath, facial
swellings, loose teeth and bleeding, red or puffy gums should have dental
X-rays made to check for abscesses, bad teeth and bone loss.
Veterinarians should start regarding periodontal disease as a serious
threat to a ferret’s long-term health, rather than assuming it is just a
minor problem that does not need to be aggressively addressed.
Commercially available chewing treats, such as gelatin chews or edible
sticks, should be provided for stimulating the gums and satisfying the
urge to chew. Research needs to be done on the impact of periodontal
disease on ferret health, including its involvement in other organ
diseases.’(end quote)
That Mr Church intersperses elements of truth along with
nonsensical ‘Recommendations’ worsens the impact. How can pet owners distinguish truth from falsehood, what to accept and what to reject? That Bob Church’s ‘Recommendations’ are now printed and bound in a textbook ensures that they will circulate and do harm for years to come.
The animals have suffered long enough, they deserve better. It’s up to us
to speak on their behalf –- expose and root out the nonsense peddled by
pet-food companies, vets and self-styled experts.
Wishing you courage and strength in the mighty struggles ahead,
Tom Lonsdale
