Post by huronna on Oct 25, 2008 8:13:32 GMT -5
Vitamins & Minerals: Friends or foe?
by Crazy Lady
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vitamins for a ferret are a very complex thing to work out. After all, just how do we know if they are recieving enough of each vitamin? As the food passes through their digestive tract so quickly the answer to this question is, "we don't!", but all vitamins MUST be used with extreme care. Some can cause serious problems if not treated with respect but those same vitamins can ensure a ferret has a healthy life.
To begin with let us look at Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin (it is also called retinol) Normally a ferret on a natural diet would find vitamin A in oily fish or the liver of other animals (it can also be found in milk and eggs) when a ferret has eaten a food rich in vit A its own liver needs to go to work to regulate the blood level of vitamin A. It uses a special blood carrier to transport vit A throughout the body. A ferret who has a high protien diet rich in fat can readliy absorb vitamin A into its body. Ferrets fed on raw liver once per week do not need a vit a suppliment as the raw liver of another animal contains more than enough vit A. THIS IS WHY RAW LIVER MUST BE FED ONLY ONCE PER WEEK TO PREVENT AN OVERDOSE OF NATURAL VITAMIN A. Vitamin A is destroyed when cooked at temps of 40 degrees centigrade or more so to obtain the maximim benefit liver should be fed raw.
Vitamin A is an anti oxidant that may protect against disease in the body. This vitamin is used for night vision, growth, and reproduction it also has many varied uses thorugh out the body and also helps maintain a healthy skin. It helps to prevent dryness of skin. It also helps with the health of mucous linings and these include eyes, ears, lungs, nose, throat and bladder. It is also good to help prevent colds! So all in all vitamin A has many good uses, it also helps the ferrets immune system stay healthy.
A ferret who is deficent in vitamin A can show it in many ways and the simple deficiancy can often be mistaken for something more serious. Some of the signs of a vitamin A deficiency can be as follows: dry or rough skin, problems with growth (bones appear weak), low resistance to infection, digestive problems (diarreah, kidney stones, loss of appertite) weak teeth that easily chip or break and appearing to have problems seeing - especially in darkness. These are all the plus sides vit A can help solve but like all good things there is a reason for caution as there CAN be a down side if the vitamin is not treated with respect and used with care. I personally only give my ferrets a tiny pinch once every fourteen days on food if raw liver is not available as vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that can be stored in the body and can cause overdoses if there is not a good break between doses. Very high doses can cause the following side effects: vomiting, hair loss, liver damage and painfull joints so a ferret finds it painful to walk. Vitamin A is a good vitamin it is simply one that needs to be treated with respect and given in very, very small doses with a decent break between them. The plus side far outweighs the minus side but as I have stated and can't state enough, all vitamins should be treated with respect. Get the balance right by carefully monitoring and your ferret can live a happy, healthy, long, illness free life. I know a lot of people think well it's all added in the kibble any way so why worry but we all need to realize that the balance isnt' always right. For example how do we know the vitamins they need that day are contained in that bowl of food or did the manufacturers place the daily portion of say taurine in a certain colour of kibble? And is my ferret eating that colour today? We don't honestly know if our ferrets are receiving all they need for a balanced healthy diet so the odd boost of different vitamins can only act as a plus.
Certain vitamins can be given on a daily basis and those I will talk about as the series progresses. The next vitamin will be the vitamin b complex family and its uses and benefits in a ferret's life.
B Vitamins
The second vitamin we will look at today is the B vitamins. This family of B vitamins is made up of a good number of important vitamins. Just as they are important to humans they are of double the importance to the ferret. The B vits are often grouped together and called vitamin B complex. This is simply because for a lot of years it was believed it was all one complex vitamin not several seperate vits! I will take each seperate B vitamin and provide some information on its use to the body and where it can be obtained.
We will begin with vitamin B1: Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B1 is a very important vitamin. It is something of a miricle vitamin to both human and ferret. Vitamin B1 is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body and therefore its level must be maintained in the diet. It is hard to overdose a ferret on vit B1 unlike vit A as any excess vit B1 is passed in the ferrets urine. Vitamin B1 has many uses. It helps with the making of healthy blood, it ensures healthy brain tissue, it helps with digestion in young ferrets, it aids growth and in old ferrets it helps prevent arthritis or aids those who suffer from it. Breeders have also found that once vit B1 levels are correct in breeding jills there is a marked improvement in conception so it may also be good for fertility.
Signs of vitamin B1 deficiancy:
The signs you may see if your ferret is low in vit b1 (thiamin) are as
follows: fatigue, irritablility, loss of appertite, poor coordination, weight loss and general weakness. PLEASE NOTE THESE SYMPTOMS ARE ALSO LINKED TO OTHER ILLNESSES SO IF IN DOUBT SEE A VET!
Vit B1 and where to find it!
Vit b1 is readily available in tablet form from health stores for owners
whose ferrets are non-meat eaters and can be easily crushed and a pinch added daily to their kibble. It is available as a simple vit b1 tablet or included with other members of the vit b family. For meat eating ferrets, it is found in beef liver (as is vit A), pork, seafood and egg yolk. There is no risk of ovedosing as it is a water soluble vitamin so the size of the pinch given is not important what is important is that vit b1 levels are maintained. For owners who make soup with, for example chicken, it is advisable to add vit b1 after cooking and cooling as heat destroys the vitamin completely.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 is also another important member of the b vitamin family. It helps the adreanal gland do its job. It also helps the body with oxygen and it metabolises fatty acids, carbohydrates and amino acids. It is also needed to activate another vitamin from the family, vitamin b6, but its uses to the body does not stop there. It also helps with the making of red blood cells, antibody production and last but not least cell growth, so it is an important vitamin to the body. It has many many uses - it aids digestion by keeping the mucous membrane of the digestive tract healthy and helps iron and other b vitamins be easily absorbed. Owners may think if their ferret is receiveing a high protien diet then this vitamin is not needed - this is when the vitamin is needed most when protein levels are high!
Signs of vit b2 deficiency: The signs of deficiency are many and varied but please remember lots of ferret illnesses overlap so if you are in any doubt about your ferret's heath seek a vet's advice. The signs of deficiency are as follows: skin lesions, poor digestion, retarded growth, hairloss, light sensitivity and eye disorders.
Vit B2 and where to find it:
Like vit b1, vit b2 can be found in health food stores in tablet form and crushed and added to food but if bought as a single vit then it must be given at the same time as vit b6 and in the same quantity. Often owners notice that the ferrets urine becomes a darker shade of yellow when given this drug. This is normal and nothing to worry about. There have been no reports of overdosing. Vit b2 it has also been found to be beneficial to skin, coat and nails so it has an added bonus. Fresh meat feeders can obtain vit b2 by feeding all organ meats (liver, etc.), all fresh lean meats, milk, eggs,fish and in natural yogurt.
Vitamin b3 (Niacin)
Vitamin b3 can be produced by the body if it receives the correct diet. It is needed for cell production and also helps with metabolisim of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also helps with the releasing of bile and stomach fluids. Vitamin b3 has many uses in the body. It ensures proper circulation and heps with the proper function of the nervous system. It also ensures healthy skin.
Deficiency of vit b3: Vit B3 deficiency can also be shown in many diffrent ways. A few are sores, depression, fatigue, bad breath, loss of appertite, low blood sugar and muscle weakness.
Where can you find vit B3: Vit B3 can and often is purchased at heath food stores and given as other b vits. I would recomend that this was only given along with other b group vitamins and vitamin c, as dosage levels are hard to work out and it is available in a b complex form of tablet. This takes away any need for exact measures. If your ferret is suffering from ulcers or any liver problems
it may be advisable to ask your vet's advice before giving any extra vit b3. Owners of raw meat eaters can find vit b3 in liver, lean meat, poultry, fish, rabbit and milk. Vit b 3 dissapears when food is cooked in water.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin b5 is another important yet not often talked about vitamin. It has an important role to play in a ferret's body. Vitamin b5 can be classed as the anti-stress vitamin. It is a water soluble vitamin that can also be produced in the body. Vit b5 has many uses in the body among them are the secretion of important hormones throughout the body. Among these hormones are those that support the adrenal gland, help fight allergies andalso helps maintain healthy muscle, nerves and skin.
Deficiancy of vit b5: As with other deficiancies, consult a vet if in doubt. The signs can be frequent infection, tiredness, muscle weakness and depression.
Where to get vit b5: Vit b5 can be obtained from a heath store in tablet form and there have been no reported cases of overdosing with vit b5 as it is a water soluble vit and is not stored n the body. Excess is passed in urine. It is also better given along with the other members of the b group and with vitamin a and c and e. Owners of raw meat eaters can find vit b5 in beef, brewers yeast, kidney, live , pork and eggs. Cooking meat destroys most of vit b5.
Vitamin b6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin b6 is another important member of the group as it has many many uses throughout the body. It is needed by other members of the group to function. Vit b6 helps balance hormones throughout the body. It also helps in the immune system and in the growth of new cells. It assists the body with the balance of many things along with the promotion of new red blood cells. It is thought that vit b6 may help the body fight off cancer and protect the heart muscles from weakening (although this has not been proven). Without vitamin b6 the body could not produce its own vitamin b3.
Deficancy of vit b6: Weakness of bones (osteoporosis), thick ugly nails, dry flaky skin, over all weakness. With a deficaincy of vit b6 you also get a lot of the signs that you get with lack of b2 and b3.
Where to find vit b: Vitamin b6 can be found at health food stores in tablet form or combined in a b complex tablet. It is water soluble and therefore any excess is passed in the urine so overdosing is extremely rare. Meat feeding owners can find it in eggs, chicken, fish, liver and brewers yeast. Cooking can destroy vit b6 so add after making soup.
Vitamin B9 ( folic acid)
This is another important b vitamin but one that must be treated with respect as it can and is stored in a ferrets liver and too much can be harmful. Vit b9 is needed for cell growth and the production of blood cells. It is also extremely important for the transportation of oxygen around a ferret's body. It aids digestion and can cure or prevent forms of annemia. It is extrememly important for not only the physical well being but also mental well being in a ferret as it also helps the nervous system and the brain.
Deficiancy of vitamin 9: The signs are many and varied and a lot are like those you see when vit b2 and vit b3 are lacking, but you can also see cracking to the sides of the mouth, eyes, gums and mouth appear pale, the ferret is tired and lacks get up and go. If left untreated a ferret can suffer from acute annemia and die.
Where can I find vit b9: Vit b9 can be purchased from a health food store but must be used wisely and carefully with respect. It is included in a vit b complex tablet also obtainable from health stores. Raw meat feeders can also obtain vit b9 from liver. This is not a water soluble vitamin and the body does store it so a ferret will obtain vit b9 from the liver of other animals.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobamin)
This is known as the eating b vitamin as it's known to ensure a healthy appetite in a ferret. It encourages the body to grow and also helps maintain a healthy blood supply. It also helps break down fats in the body.
Deficiancy of vit b12: When this vitamin is low in the diet there are a number of signs. Some are similar to the signs of other illnesses so please check with a vet if in doubt. The signs are weakness, loss of balance, poor reflexes, sore mouth and weight loss. A deficiancy of vit b12 can cause problems with the nervous system.
Where to find vit b12: Vit b12 can be obtained from health food stores in a single tablet or as part of a vit b complex tablet. It is not known to cause problems if too much is given but unlike the water soluble vits that are absorbed immediately, vit b12 takes around 2-3 hours to be absorbed by the body. Meat feeding owners can find vit b12 in liver organ meat, muscle meat, eggs,fish and milk.
The vit B complex family are important for a ferret's health. Each have a part to play in ensuring a healthy body. To prevent owners from being confused, giving each seperate member of the b vitamin a tablet that contains them all can be obtained. The vit b complex tablet is readily available from health food stores. I simply crush and add a pinch when needed as my ferrets are raw meat eaters and receive most of these vitamins in their natural form from various meats. I simply give them a pinch once per week to ensure there levels are kept up. An owner who was not feeding any form of meat and was worried about b vitamin levels in kibble could simply add a
small pinch daily to kibble or soup. The tablets are easily ground down by crushing with a rolling pin when doubled bagged.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
This vitamin is not often associated with ferrets as it is only obtained in its natural state from fruit and veggies and as a ferret is an obligate carnivore it is assumed that it would never come across it in the wild. This is not always true! A wild polecat or ferret could be induced into eating wild strawberries or blackberries simply when out hunting for food and could of obtained vitamin c in this manner or even from prey it had eaten that had partially digested fruit matter in its digestive tract. Vitamin c is another water soluble vitamin and therefeor is classed as a harmless vitamin as any excess vitamin c is simply passed in the urine and is not stored in the body to cause a toxic build up. This vitamin has many uses in the human so it is surmised that it can also be beneficial to the ferret if given on a
regular basis. Vitamin c is classed as an antioxident and helps protect the body from pollutants. Vitamin c cannot be made by a ferret's body so this vitamin must be given in tablet form. Even though it has not been proven in ferrets it is known to have a great many uses in a human body so therefore we must surmise it is also good for these same uses in a ferret's body. Things like helping wounds to heal quicky, promoting the development of healthy cells and tissue, helping with calcium absorption and it is also said to help
promote healthy gums and to help the immune system not only fight illness but also to prevent certain illnesses. Vitamin c is also said to help prevent harmful blood clots and to lessen bruising. All in all, vitamin c is a helpfull ally against a number of illnesses and as it does not have a toxic effect and is not stored in the body. It is a vitamin you can use in safety.
Signs of vitamin c deficiancy: As with all signs through this series on vitamins the signs I am about to describe could mimic another illness so if in doubt please contact a vet. Some of the signs may be a tendency to bruise easily, soft and spongy gums which bleed easily, loose teeth, tiny pin prick bleeding under the skin and some ferrets may retain water and appear bloated and fat, overall weakness and they may appear to have a lot of flu symptoms.
Where can I get vitamin c: Vitamin c is readily available in health food stores and many food stores. A pinch added to food daily can only do good. In many cases it can help the ferret ward off the dreaded flu! So when you give your ferret a pinch remember to give yourself a tablet and hopefully both of you will protect yourselves from the sniffles! For owners with meat eating ferrets unfortunatly there is not a natural meat that provides a ferret with vitamin c so it must be given in tablet form, crushed and added to food.
Vitamin D (calciferol)
Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin as it is mainly associated with sunshine. A body can manufacture this on the skin from natural sunshine. A ferret needs vitamin d for many things. The most important being the absorpsion of calcium. Calcium is needed to ensure good bone density, good bone growth and strong heathy teeth. Vitamin d also helps control the amount of phosphorus in the body and it also helps maintain a healthy heart and nervous system. Vitamin d is not a water soluble vitamin so it must be used carefully. It is often offered in a supplement along with vitamin A which is a good way to use vitamin D so as not to to overdose. Ferrets with kidney or liver damage may need slightly higher than normal dose of vitamin d as the liver and kidneys are needed to activate this vitamin within the ferret's body.
Signs of vitamin D deficancy: The signs of vitamin d deficancy are many and varied according to the age of the ferret. When vit d deficiancy occurs in young ferrets it can cause soft bones which results in ricketts and the bones appear to be bent and deformed. In older ferrets there are many different signs such as muscle twitching, convulsions, bones appearing to be sore and weak and in some cases there can be sight problems.
Where can I get vitamin D: Vitamin D can be obtained at health food stores. This vitamin is best used along with vit A and is often offered with vit a in tablet form. As this vitamin is not water soluble it can be stored in the body and if too much is given calcium can be deposited in soft tissue throughout the body. This is one vitamin that must be used with caution. Fresh meat feeders can find vitamin D in sardines, salmon, tuna, mackerel, liver and egg yolks.
Vitamin E (tocopherol)
Vitamin E is a vitamin that has many fucntions throughout the ferret's
body. It has been called the "pick me up" vitamin for ferrets and many breeders believe it actually improves a ferret's abiity to produce kits! Vitamin e is an essential fat soluble vitamin and although excesses are not passed in urine it is thought not to be harmful as no cases of vit e toxicity have been recorded. Vit e as I have stated is an important vitamin it helps with the prevention of degenerative diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and strokes. Vit e is also beneficial in preventing clots from forming in the ferret's body and also for preventing mastitis in nursing jills. Vitamin e oil from capsules can also be massaged on to the skin where there are signs of sores to assist with healing. It may also be used on small patches of dry skin safely. Vitamin e also helps protect the body from pollution, especially the lungs!
Vitamin E deficancy: The signs of vitamin E deficancy are many and varied and not all of them are recorded as they could be attributed to some other illness. Those that are known are tiredness, cuts, healing slowly, gallstones, shortened red blood cell life span, problems with fertility.
Where can I get vitamin E: Vitamin E comes in capsule form from your local health food store and is easily given. Simply prick the capsule and squeeze onto food. Meat feeding owners can find vitamin E in sunflower oil, beef and seafood. Please note vit E is easily destroyed by cooking, freezing even by leaving exposed for a long time in the air - it deteriorates rapidly.
Vitamin H (Biotin)
Vitamin H is an important vitamin for a ferret's diet. Although it is called vitamin H, in reality a lot of people class it as part of the b complex group as it needs to be given with the b vitamin group. Vitamin H is used in the body for the metabolisim of fats and proteIns and also for cell growth and the production of fatty acids. Vitamin H also plays a role in healthy coat, skin nerve tissue and bone marrow. It also helps in the releasing of energy from food. Vitamin H is a very important vitamin that also helps maintain sugar levels in the body.
Signs of a vitamin H deficency: When vitamin H is deficient there are a number of signs. A lot of these mimic other illnesses so if in doubt please consult your vet. Some of the signs are severe hair thinning or hair loss, dry scaley skin, loss of appetite, weight loss and tiredness.
Where can I get vitamin H: Vitamin H is available from local health food stores in tablet form. It is a water soluble vitamin and there have been no reports of toxic incidents from vitamin H. Excess vitamin h is easily passed in urine and feces as it is regarded as part of the b comlex group. It is advisable to give it at the same time as the b complex group as the results can only be beneficial. Meat feeding owners can find vitamin H in beef liver, cooked eggs, chicken
breast and salmon. Please note: raw eggs contain avidin which binds with biotin and can prevent biotin from being absorbed into the body. An odd raw egg once per week or every two weeks does no long term harm as long as they are not given too often.
Calcium
Although calcium is not a vitamin but a mineral I feel it is important that it be mentioned in this series as the way it is used and absorbed into the body is often misunderstood. A lot of ferret owners believe calcium is only important for healthy teeth and bones. Calcium has many other uses too. The ferret's body also uses calcium to aid blood clotting and also to help muscular growth. Calcium even has a calming effect on the body and helps with the nerve impluses. It provides energy and helps to break down fat and helps maintain healthy skin! Calcium is a very important mineral in a ferret's
diet. Another idea a lot of owners have is that once the ferret's bones are formed then that is that - when in effect they are constantly being upgraded from day to day as calcium flows in and out of them.
Signs of calcium deficency: There are many signs of calcium shortage and some may be simular to other illnesses so if in doubt have a vet check out your ferret. The signs are walking appears painful, in some cases the ferret may refuse to walk, dry skin, signs of muscle cramps, brittle nails and in extreme cases convusions.
Where can I obtain calcium: Calcium can be obtained in many forms from health food stores. It can be purchased in tablet form or in the form of bone flour and sprinked on food. Owners who feed meat can obtain calcium from bone meal, raw bones, egg shells, milk, fish and seafood. It is beneficial to take vitamin d with calcium.
Amino Acid Taurine
Taurine is a non essential amino acid but it is very important to the
ferret's body. It is needed for fat digestion and the absobsion of fat soluble vitamins. Taurine is also important in ensuring that calcium and other key nutrients are used properly in the body. It is believed that taurine helps keep the brain hydrated and active. When it is given with zinc it also helps keep eyes and vision healthy.
Signs of taurine deficency: The ferret may suddenly develop eye problems or appear to be having difficulty with fat absorption.
Where to get taurine: Taurine can be found in milk in supermarkets (certain brands of kitten milks have extra added taurine). It is more beneficial if a little vit b6 is added to the milk to help the body synthesize taurine and other nutrients from the milk. Meat feeding owners can find taurine in milk, meat and fish.
Trace elements
Iron
Iron is a trace element that is needed in a ferret's body to promote healthy red blood cells and firm muscles. It finds a home in the bone marrow, liver and spleen. Iron helps to promote a healthy immune system and to improve a ferret's energy levels. Iron can be toxic if given in excess and it is better if given alone.
Signs of iron deficiancy: As iron is an important element there are many and varied signs of deficiency. A few are anemia,tiredness, poor stamina, ridged nails, brittle coat and digestive problems.
Where can I get iron: Iron can be obtained from your local health food store but please USE IRON WITH CAUTION. Meat feeding owners can find iron in meat, poultry and fish.
ZINC
Zinc is an element that is important to a ferret for many reasons. It is important for a healthy immune system and it also ensures that hair, nails and skin are in tip top shape and that wounds heal quickly. Zinc is also used by the body to ensure muscles are healthy and that protein is synthasized. Zinc also helps control the amount of oil that is released through the coat.
Signs of zinc deficiency: When levels of zinc are low in a ferret's body the following signs are often shown - ferret appears to become ill with everything from colds to ear problems, etc., hair thinning , brittle nails, loss of appetite, skin problems (dry skin, ulcers on skin, etc.).
Where can I get zinc: Zinc can be obtained from a health food store but this must BE USED WITH CAUTION AS IT CAN BE TOXIC. Zinc is better given on an empty stomach but this can prove a problem with ferrets therefore it is often given from natural sources or combined in a multi vitamin form. Meat feeding owners can obtain zinc from muscle meat, poultry, fish, seafood
and eggs.
Multi vitamins
Multi vitamins are definitely the friend of the ferret owner. They remove the need to constantly weigh or measure out each vitamin and in turn they also remove the worry of giving a ferret too much each day and causing toxic problems by giving two vitamins which are not suited to each other if not in the correct amounts.
How much is too much? Well that is a problem - we look at a human and the pill states take two per day so in reality a ferret only needs a fraction of one pill! My own personal way of figuring out the problem is simple - I grind down the pills to dust and once a week give each ferret a tiny, tiny pinch if I feel they are not obtaining enough from fresh meat (a lot of the vits are contained in their meat diet). If their body has enough vitamins the next day they present me with loose dark poop! A good indicator that everything is topped up!
As with all things vitamins and supplements must be used with caution but I believe they do have a part to play in a ferret's life as the kibbles are far removed from what their body was designed for and vitamins can deteriorate as the kibble sits waiting to be eaten or if frozen certain vits are destroyed. So the tiny pinch of multi vit can often be simply replacing things they should of obtained from kibble but did not. These multi vitamins can more often than not be a life saver helping to balance a diet if used with care!
by Crazy Lady
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vitamins for a ferret are a very complex thing to work out. After all, just how do we know if they are recieving enough of each vitamin? As the food passes through their digestive tract so quickly the answer to this question is, "we don't!", but all vitamins MUST be used with extreme care. Some can cause serious problems if not treated with respect but those same vitamins can ensure a ferret has a healthy life.
To begin with let us look at Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin (it is also called retinol) Normally a ferret on a natural diet would find vitamin A in oily fish or the liver of other animals (it can also be found in milk and eggs) when a ferret has eaten a food rich in vit A its own liver needs to go to work to regulate the blood level of vitamin A. It uses a special blood carrier to transport vit A throughout the body. A ferret who has a high protien diet rich in fat can readliy absorb vitamin A into its body. Ferrets fed on raw liver once per week do not need a vit a suppliment as the raw liver of another animal contains more than enough vit A. THIS IS WHY RAW LIVER MUST BE FED ONLY ONCE PER WEEK TO PREVENT AN OVERDOSE OF NATURAL VITAMIN A. Vitamin A is destroyed when cooked at temps of 40 degrees centigrade or more so to obtain the maximim benefit liver should be fed raw.
Vitamin A is an anti oxidant that may protect against disease in the body. This vitamin is used for night vision, growth, and reproduction it also has many varied uses thorugh out the body and also helps maintain a healthy skin. It helps to prevent dryness of skin. It also helps with the health of mucous linings and these include eyes, ears, lungs, nose, throat and bladder. It is also good to help prevent colds! So all in all vitamin A has many good uses, it also helps the ferrets immune system stay healthy.
A ferret who is deficent in vitamin A can show it in many ways and the simple deficiancy can often be mistaken for something more serious. Some of the signs of a vitamin A deficiency can be as follows: dry or rough skin, problems with growth (bones appear weak), low resistance to infection, digestive problems (diarreah, kidney stones, loss of appertite) weak teeth that easily chip or break and appearing to have problems seeing - especially in darkness. These are all the plus sides vit A can help solve but like all good things there is a reason for caution as there CAN be a down side if the vitamin is not treated with respect and used with care. I personally only give my ferrets a tiny pinch once every fourteen days on food if raw liver is not available as vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that can be stored in the body and can cause overdoses if there is not a good break between doses. Very high doses can cause the following side effects: vomiting, hair loss, liver damage and painfull joints so a ferret finds it painful to walk. Vitamin A is a good vitamin it is simply one that needs to be treated with respect and given in very, very small doses with a decent break between them. The plus side far outweighs the minus side but as I have stated and can't state enough, all vitamins should be treated with respect. Get the balance right by carefully monitoring and your ferret can live a happy, healthy, long, illness free life. I know a lot of people think well it's all added in the kibble any way so why worry but we all need to realize that the balance isnt' always right. For example how do we know the vitamins they need that day are contained in that bowl of food or did the manufacturers place the daily portion of say taurine in a certain colour of kibble? And is my ferret eating that colour today? We don't honestly know if our ferrets are receiving all they need for a balanced healthy diet so the odd boost of different vitamins can only act as a plus.
Certain vitamins can be given on a daily basis and those I will talk about as the series progresses. The next vitamin will be the vitamin b complex family and its uses and benefits in a ferret's life.
B Vitamins
The second vitamin we will look at today is the B vitamins. This family of B vitamins is made up of a good number of important vitamins. Just as they are important to humans they are of double the importance to the ferret. The B vits are often grouped together and called vitamin B complex. This is simply because for a lot of years it was believed it was all one complex vitamin not several seperate vits! I will take each seperate B vitamin and provide some information on its use to the body and where it can be obtained.
We will begin with vitamin B1: Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B1 is a very important vitamin. It is something of a miricle vitamin to both human and ferret. Vitamin B1 is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body and therefore its level must be maintained in the diet. It is hard to overdose a ferret on vit B1 unlike vit A as any excess vit B1 is passed in the ferrets urine. Vitamin B1 has many uses. It helps with the making of healthy blood, it ensures healthy brain tissue, it helps with digestion in young ferrets, it aids growth and in old ferrets it helps prevent arthritis or aids those who suffer from it. Breeders have also found that once vit B1 levels are correct in breeding jills there is a marked improvement in conception so it may also be good for fertility.
Signs of vitamin B1 deficiancy:
The signs you may see if your ferret is low in vit b1 (thiamin) are as
follows: fatigue, irritablility, loss of appertite, poor coordination, weight loss and general weakness. PLEASE NOTE THESE SYMPTOMS ARE ALSO LINKED TO OTHER ILLNESSES SO IF IN DOUBT SEE A VET!
Vit B1 and where to find it!
Vit b1 is readily available in tablet form from health stores for owners
whose ferrets are non-meat eaters and can be easily crushed and a pinch added daily to their kibble. It is available as a simple vit b1 tablet or included with other members of the vit b family. For meat eating ferrets, it is found in beef liver (as is vit A), pork, seafood and egg yolk. There is no risk of ovedosing as it is a water soluble vitamin so the size of the pinch given is not important what is important is that vit b1 levels are maintained. For owners who make soup with, for example chicken, it is advisable to add vit b1 after cooking and cooling as heat destroys the vitamin completely.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 is also another important member of the b vitamin family. It helps the adreanal gland do its job. It also helps the body with oxygen and it metabolises fatty acids, carbohydrates and amino acids. It is also needed to activate another vitamin from the family, vitamin b6, but its uses to the body does not stop there. It also helps with the making of red blood cells, antibody production and last but not least cell growth, so it is an important vitamin to the body. It has many many uses - it aids digestion by keeping the mucous membrane of the digestive tract healthy and helps iron and other b vitamins be easily absorbed. Owners may think if their ferret is receiveing a high protien diet then this vitamin is not needed - this is when the vitamin is needed most when protein levels are high!
Signs of vit b2 deficiency: The signs of deficiency are many and varied but please remember lots of ferret illnesses overlap so if you are in any doubt about your ferret's heath seek a vet's advice. The signs of deficiency are as follows: skin lesions, poor digestion, retarded growth, hairloss, light sensitivity and eye disorders.
Vit B2 and where to find it:
Like vit b1, vit b2 can be found in health food stores in tablet form and crushed and added to food but if bought as a single vit then it must be given at the same time as vit b6 and in the same quantity. Often owners notice that the ferrets urine becomes a darker shade of yellow when given this drug. This is normal and nothing to worry about. There have been no reports of overdosing. Vit b2 it has also been found to be beneficial to skin, coat and nails so it has an added bonus. Fresh meat feeders can obtain vit b2 by feeding all organ meats (liver, etc.), all fresh lean meats, milk, eggs,fish and in natural yogurt.
Vitamin b3 (Niacin)
Vitamin b3 can be produced by the body if it receives the correct diet. It is needed for cell production and also helps with metabolisim of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also helps with the releasing of bile and stomach fluids. Vitamin b3 has many uses in the body. It ensures proper circulation and heps with the proper function of the nervous system. It also ensures healthy skin.
Deficiency of vit b3: Vit B3 deficiency can also be shown in many diffrent ways. A few are sores, depression, fatigue, bad breath, loss of appertite, low blood sugar and muscle weakness.
Where can you find vit B3: Vit B3 can and often is purchased at heath food stores and given as other b vits. I would recomend that this was only given along with other b group vitamins and vitamin c, as dosage levels are hard to work out and it is available in a b complex form of tablet. This takes away any need for exact measures. If your ferret is suffering from ulcers or any liver problems
it may be advisable to ask your vet's advice before giving any extra vit b3. Owners of raw meat eaters can find vit b3 in liver, lean meat, poultry, fish, rabbit and milk. Vit b 3 dissapears when food is cooked in water.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin b5 is another important yet not often talked about vitamin. It has an important role to play in a ferret's body. Vitamin b5 can be classed as the anti-stress vitamin. It is a water soluble vitamin that can also be produced in the body. Vit b5 has many uses in the body among them are the secretion of important hormones throughout the body. Among these hormones are those that support the adrenal gland, help fight allergies andalso helps maintain healthy muscle, nerves and skin.
Deficiancy of vit b5: As with other deficiancies, consult a vet if in doubt. The signs can be frequent infection, tiredness, muscle weakness and depression.
Where to get vit b5: Vit b5 can be obtained from a heath store in tablet form and there have been no reported cases of overdosing with vit b5 as it is a water soluble vit and is not stored n the body. Excess is passed in urine. It is also better given along with the other members of the b group and with vitamin a and c and e. Owners of raw meat eaters can find vit b5 in beef, brewers yeast, kidney, live , pork and eggs. Cooking meat destroys most of vit b5.
Vitamin b6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin b6 is another important member of the group as it has many many uses throughout the body. It is needed by other members of the group to function. Vit b6 helps balance hormones throughout the body. It also helps in the immune system and in the growth of new cells. It assists the body with the balance of many things along with the promotion of new red blood cells. It is thought that vit b6 may help the body fight off cancer and protect the heart muscles from weakening (although this has not been proven). Without vitamin b6 the body could not produce its own vitamin b3.
Deficancy of vit b6: Weakness of bones (osteoporosis), thick ugly nails, dry flaky skin, over all weakness. With a deficaincy of vit b6 you also get a lot of the signs that you get with lack of b2 and b3.
Where to find vit b: Vitamin b6 can be found at health food stores in tablet form or combined in a b complex tablet. It is water soluble and therefore any excess is passed in the urine so overdosing is extremely rare. Meat feeding owners can find it in eggs, chicken, fish, liver and brewers yeast. Cooking can destroy vit b6 so add after making soup.
Vitamin B9 ( folic acid)
This is another important b vitamin but one that must be treated with respect as it can and is stored in a ferrets liver and too much can be harmful. Vit b9 is needed for cell growth and the production of blood cells. It is also extremely important for the transportation of oxygen around a ferret's body. It aids digestion and can cure or prevent forms of annemia. It is extrememly important for not only the physical well being but also mental well being in a ferret as it also helps the nervous system and the brain.
Deficiancy of vitamin 9: The signs are many and varied and a lot are like those you see when vit b2 and vit b3 are lacking, but you can also see cracking to the sides of the mouth, eyes, gums and mouth appear pale, the ferret is tired and lacks get up and go. If left untreated a ferret can suffer from acute annemia and die.
Where can I find vit b9: Vit b9 can be purchased from a health food store but must be used wisely and carefully with respect. It is included in a vit b complex tablet also obtainable from health stores. Raw meat feeders can also obtain vit b9 from liver. This is not a water soluble vitamin and the body does store it so a ferret will obtain vit b9 from the liver of other animals.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobamin)
This is known as the eating b vitamin as it's known to ensure a healthy appetite in a ferret. It encourages the body to grow and also helps maintain a healthy blood supply. It also helps break down fats in the body.
Deficiancy of vit b12: When this vitamin is low in the diet there are a number of signs. Some are similar to the signs of other illnesses so please check with a vet if in doubt. The signs are weakness, loss of balance, poor reflexes, sore mouth and weight loss. A deficiancy of vit b12 can cause problems with the nervous system.
Where to find vit b12: Vit b12 can be obtained from health food stores in a single tablet or as part of a vit b complex tablet. It is not known to cause problems if too much is given but unlike the water soluble vits that are absorbed immediately, vit b12 takes around 2-3 hours to be absorbed by the body. Meat feeding owners can find vit b12 in liver organ meat, muscle meat, eggs,fish and milk.
The vit B complex family are important for a ferret's health. Each have a part to play in ensuring a healthy body. To prevent owners from being confused, giving each seperate member of the b vitamin a tablet that contains them all can be obtained. The vit b complex tablet is readily available from health food stores. I simply crush and add a pinch when needed as my ferrets are raw meat eaters and receive most of these vitamins in their natural form from various meats. I simply give them a pinch once per week to ensure there levels are kept up. An owner who was not feeding any form of meat and was worried about b vitamin levels in kibble could simply add a
small pinch daily to kibble or soup. The tablets are easily ground down by crushing with a rolling pin when doubled bagged.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
This vitamin is not often associated with ferrets as it is only obtained in its natural state from fruit and veggies and as a ferret is an obligate carnivore it is assumed that it would never come across it in the wild. This is not always true! A wild polecat or ferret could be induced into eating wild strawberries or blackberries simply when out hunting for food and could of obtained vitamin c in this manner or even from prey it had eaten that had partially digested fruit matter in its digestive tract. Vitamin c is another water soluble vitamin and therefeor is classed as a harmless vitamin as any excess vitamin c is simply passed in the urine and is not stored in the body to cause a toxic build up. This vitamin has many uses in the human so it is surmised that it can also be beneficial to the ferret if given on a
regular basis. Vitamin c is classed as an antioxident and helps protect the body from pollutants. Vitamin c cannot be made by a ferret's body so this vitamin must be given in tablet form. Even though it has not been proven in ferrets it is known to have a great many uses in a human body so therefore we must surmise it is also good for these same uses in a ferret's body. Things like helping wounds to heal quicky, promoting the development of healthy cells and tissue, helping with calcium absorption and it is also said to help
promote healthy gums and to help the immune system not only fight illness but also to prevent certain illnesses. Vitamin c is also said to help prevent harmful blood clots and to lessen bruising. All in all, vitamin c is a helpfull ally against a number of illnesses and as it does not have a toxic effect and is not stored in the body. It is a vitamin you can use in safety.
Signs of vitamin c deficiancy: As with all signs through this series on vitamins the signs I am about to describe could mimic another illness so if in doubt please contact a vet. Some of the signs may be a tendency to bruise easily, soft and spongy gums which bleed easily, loose teeth, tiny pin prick bleeding under the skin and some ferrets may retain water and appear bloated and fat, overall weakness and they may appear to have a lot of flu symptoms.
Where can I get vitamin c: Vitamin c is readily available in health food stores and many food stores. A pinch added to food daily can only do good. In many cases it can help the ferret ward off the dreaded flu! So when you give your ferret a pinch remember to give yourself a tablet and hopefully both of you will protect yourselves from the sniffles! For owners with meat eating ferrets unfortunatly there is not a natural meat that provides a ferret with vitamin c so it must be given in tablet form, crushed and added to food.
Vitamin D (calciferol)
Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin as it is mainly associated with sunshine. A body can manufacture this on the skin from natural sunshine. A ferret needs vitamin d for many things. The most important being the absorpsion of calcium. Calcium is needed to ensure good bone density, good bone growth and strong heathy teeth. Vitamin d also helps control the amount of phosphorus in the body and it also helps maintain a healthy heart and nervous system. Vitamin d is not a water soluble vitamin so it must be used carefully. It is often offered in a supplement along with vitamin A which is a good way to use vitamin D so as not to to overdose. Ferrets with kidney or liver damage may need slightly higher than normal dose of vitamin d as the liver and kidneys are needed to activate this vitamin within the ferret's body.
Signs of vitamin D deficancy: The signs of vitamin d deficancy are many and varied according to the age of the ferret. When vit d deficiancy occurs in young ferrets it can cause soft bones which results in ricketts and the bones appear to be bent and deformed. In older ferrets there are many different signs such as muscle twitching, convulsions, bones appearing to be sore and weak and in some cases there can be sight problems.
Where can I get vitamin D: Vitamin D can be obtained at health food stores. This vitamin is best used along with vit A and is often offered with vit a in tablet form. As this vitamin is not water soluble it can be stored in the body and if too much is given calcium can be deposited in soft tissue throughout the body. This is one vitamin that must be used with caution. Fresh meat feeders can find vitamin D in sardines, salmon, tuna, mackerel, liver and egg yolks.
Vitamin E (tocopherol)
Vitamin E is a vitamin that has many fucntions throughout the ferret's
body. It has been called the "pick me up" vitamin for ferrets and many breeders believe it actually improves a ferret's abiity to produce kits! Vitamin e is an essential fat soluble vitamin and although excesses are not passed in urine it is thought not to be harmful as no cases of vit e toxicity have been recorded. Vit e as I have stated is an important vitamin it helps with the prevention of degenerative diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and strokes. Vit e is also beneficial in preventing clots from forming in the ferret's body and also for preventing mastitis in nursing jills. Vitamin e oil from capsules can also be massaged on to the skin where there are signs of sores to assist with healing. It may also be used on small patches of dry skin safely. Vitamin e also helps protect the body from pollution, especially the lungs!
Vitamin E deficancy: The signs of vitamin E deficancy are many and varied and not all of them are recorded as they could be attributed to some other illness. Those that are known are tiredness, cuts, healing slowly, gallstones, shortened red blood cell life span, problems with fertility.
Where can I get vitamin E: Vitamin E comes in capsule form from your local health food store and is easily given. Simply prick the capsule and squeeze onto food. Meat feeding owners can find vitamin E in sunflower oil, beef and seafood. Please note vit E is easily destroyed by cooking, freezing even by leaving exposed for a long time in the air - it deteriorates rapidly.
Vitamin H (Biotin)
Vitamin H is an important vitamin for a ferret's diet. Although it is called vitamin H, in reality a lot of people class it as part of the b complex group as it needs to be given with the b vitamin group. Vitamin H is used in the body for the metabolisim of fats and proteIns and also for cell growth and the production of fatty acids. Vitamin H also plays a role in healthy coat, skin nerve tissue and bone marrow. It also helps in the releasing of energy from food. Vitamin H is a very important vitamin that also helps maintain sugar levels in the body.
Signs of a vitamin H deficency: When vitamin H is deficient there are a number of signs. A lot of these mimic other illnesses so if in doubt please consult your vet. Some of the signs are severe hair thinning or hair loss, dry scaley skin, loss of appetite, weight loss and tiredness.
Where can I get vitamin H: Vitamin H is available from local health food stores in tablet form. It is a water soluble vitamin and there have been no reports of toxic incidents from vitamin H. Excess vitamin h is easily passed in urine and feces as it is regarded as part of the b comlex group. It is advisable to give it at the same time as the b complex group as the results can only be beneficial. Meat feeding owners can find vitamin H in beef liver, cooked eggs, chicken
breast and salmon. Please note: raw eggs contain avidin which binds with biotin and can prevent biotin from being absorbed into the body. An odd raw egg once per week or every two weeks does no long term harm as long as they are not given too often.
Calcium
Although calcium is not a vitamin but a mineral I feel it is important that it be mentioned in this series as the way it is used and absorbed into the body is often misunderstood. A lot of ferret owners believe calcium is only important for healthy teeth and bones. Calcium has many other uses too. The ferret's body also uses calcium to aid blood clotting and also to help muscular growth. Calcium even has a calming effect on the body and helps with the nerve impluses. It provides energy and helps to break down fat and helps maintain healthy skin! Calcium is a very important mineral in a ferret's
diet. Another idea a lot of owners have is that once the ferret's bones are formed then that is that - when in effect they are constantly being upgraded from day to day as calcium flows in and out of them.
Signs of calcium deficency: There are many signs of calcium shortage and some may be simular to other illnesses so if in doubt have a vet check out your ferret. The signs are walking appears painful, in some cases the ferret may refuse to walk, dry skin, signs of muscle cramps, brittle nails and in extreme cases convusions.
Where can I obtain calcium: Calcium can be obtained in many forms from health food stores. It can be purchased in tablet form or in the form of bone flour and sprinked on food. Owners who feed meat can obtain calcium from bone meal, raw bones, egg shells, milk, fish and seafood. It is beneficial to take vitamin d with calcium.
Amino Acid Taurine
Taurine is a non essential amino acid but it is very important to the
ferret's body. It is needed for fat digestion and the absobsion of fat soluble vitamins. Taurine is also important in ensuring that calcium and other key nutrients are used properly in the body. It is believed that taurine helps keep the brain hydrated and active. When it is given with zinc it also helps keep eyes and vision healthy.
Signs of taurine deficency: The ferret may suddenly develop eye problems or appear to be having difficulty with fat absorption.
Where to get taurine: Taurine can be found in milk in supermarkets (certain brands of kitten milks have extra added taurine). It is more beneficial if a little vit b6 is added to the milk to help the body synthesize taurine and other nutrients from the milk. Meat feeding owners can find taurine in milk, meat and fish.
Trace elements
Iron
Iron is a trace element that is needed in a ferret's body to promote healthy red blood cells and firm muscles. It finds a home in the bone marrow, liver and spleen. Iron helps to promote a healthy immune system and to improve a ferret's energy levels. Iron can be toxic if given in excess and it is better if given alone.
Signs of iron deficiancy: As iron is an important element there are many and varied signs of deficiency. A few are anemia,tiredness, poor stamina, ridged nails, brittle coat and digestive problems.
Where can I get iron: Iron can be obtained from your local health food store but please USE IRON WITH CAUTION. Meat feeding owners can find iron in meat, poultry and fish.
ZINC
Zinc is an element that is important to a ferret for many reasons. It is important for a healthy immune system and it also ensures that hair, nails and skin are in tip top shape and that wounds heal quickly. Zinc is also used by the body to ensure muscles are healthy and that protein is synthasized. Zinc also helps control the amount of oil that is released through the coat.
Signs of zinc deficiency: When levels of zinc are low in a ferret's body the following signs are often shown - ferret appears to become ill with everything from colds to ear problems, etc., hair thinning , brittle nails, loss of appetite, skin problems (dry skin, ulcers on skin, etc.).
Where can I get zinc: Zinc can be obtained from a health food store but this must BE USED WITH CAUTION AS IT CAN BE TOXIC. Zinc is better given on an empty stomach but this can prove a problem with ferrets therefore it is often given from natural sources or combined in a multi vitamin form. Meat feeding owners can obtain zinc from muscle meat, poultry, fish, seafood
and eggs.
Multi vitamins
Multi vitamins are definitely the friend of the ferret owner. They remove the need to constantly weigh or measure out each vitamin and in turn they also remove the worry of giving a ferret too much each day and causing toxic problems by giving two vitamins which are not suited to each other if not in the correct amounts.
How much is too much? Well that is a problem - we look at a human and the pill states take two per day so in reality a ferret only needs a fraction of one pill! My own personal way of figuring out the problem is simple - I grind down the pills to dust and once a week give each ferret a tiny, tiny pinch if I feel they are not obtaining enough from fresh meat (a lot of the vits are contained in their meat diet). If their body has enough vitamins the next day they present me with loose dark poop! A good indicator that everything is topped up!
As with all things vitamins and supplements must be used with caution but I believe they do have a part to play in a ferret's life as the kibbles are far removed from what their body was designed for and vitamins can deteriorate as the kibble sits waiting to be eaten or if frozen certain vits are destroyed. So the tiny pinch of multi vit can often be simply replacing things they should of obtained from kibble but did not. These multi vitamins can more often than not be a life saver helping to balance a diet if used with care!
