I have been given permission to forward this to the FML.  Dr. Murray is a
vet in Dallas Texas, who posts to the FAIML (Adrenal/Insulinoma mailing
list).  He has also provided information for the Ferret Health Care site,
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin OH
-----
 
Hi Linda,
I'll try to answer your questions about corn, rice, and Iams' new kitten
food.
 
The problem with rice is after it is consumed it raises blood glucose
levels.  This higher glucose level after a meal will stimulate the pancreas
to release insulin to lower the glucose level.  This overstimulation of the
pancreas (to produce insulin) may be what is causing insulinomas.  When you
compare the carbohydrate sources- rice causes the most increase in glucose
and the highest insulin response, corn produces less glucose and less of an
insulin response than rice.  Sorghum produces the least glucose and even
less insulin response than rice or corn.
 
So using corn and sorghum instead of rice is great news for ferrets with
insulinomas, and it may prevent non-insulinoma ferrets from developing
insulinomas in the future.
 
Now to address your fear of corn.  Using corn as the protein source is a
bad thing!  Plant based proteins will produce urine that is alkaline (i.e.
ph above 7); however, animal based protein will produce urine on the acid
side (ph 5-6).  You want the ferrets urine to be ph of 6 or less.  When the
urine ph goes above 6.4 then crystals can form in the urine, bladder stones
can form, bladder infections become common, and urethra obstructions can
occur.  Obstructions can be fatal.  Cats have the same urinary ph problems.
Urinary acidiers such as DL- methionine can be added to the diet to make
sure the ph stays low.  It is in both Totally Ferret and Marshall Ferret
food.  The Iams kitten uses chicken by-product meal and chicken as its 2
protein sources, so using corn and sorghum as its 2 carbohydrate sources
should be good.
 
As you noticed, Iams is now at grocery stores and at Wal-Marts,etc.  This
is because Iams was recently bought by Procter & Gamble.
 
Thanks
Jerry Murray,DVM.
[Posted in FML issue 3004]