Techniques for Understanding the Effects of an Ad Libitum Diet in Ferrets
 
The question of the effects of an Ad Libitum diet on ferrets cannot be
answered without one basic item: data that demonstrates such a diet may
have a deleterious effect in our domesticated friends (NOT proves, just
demonstrates- -this isn=92t a research paper, but a review!).  The
problem is, no such studies have been done with ferrets.  A similar
problem has plagued scientists studying human diet, and an elegant
solution was devised.  Sophisticated, technological studies have NOT been
able to surpass the technique of just looking a one genetic subgroup of
people, then comparing diet and disease rates for diverse areas and
dietary practices.  For example, Sub-Saharan African males should have
similar genetic predispositions towards specific diseases REGARDLESS of
where they live.  Comparing one group eating a traditional diet to
another consuming a western diet SHOULD result in similar disease types
and rates IF diet had little or no impact on disease.  As hundreds of
studies have demonstrated, diet makes a difference.  And not just the
diet!  The preparation, origin, and storage of various foodstuffs have a
profound effect on the long-term health of the consumer.
 
I have taken an identical approach in investigating the diet of ferrets,
directly comparing diets to disease types and rates for animals with
similar genetic backgrounds, then comparing those findings to other
groups of ferrets with different backgrounds.  For example, sable Marshal
Farms ferrets eating a natural diet are compared to those eating a
kibbled diet, and imported British ferrets are compared to those
remaining in Britain.  Some of my own ferrets are included in the
comparison.  I own ferrets from a diverse and varied genetic background,
yet I have found that REGARDLESS of the genetic background, those ferrets
that regularly ate a kibbled, Ad Libitum diet results in shorter lives
and displays more diseases than those eating a natural diet.
 
The bottom line is that data already exists to support the idea that an
Ad Libitum diet exacerbates disease, shortens lifespan, and increases
rates and types of cancers.  The data can be generated using the same
accepted techniques as used to study the identical problem in humans,
and it is just as trustworthy.
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 3982]