Unless you can find a reputable study reference, I doubt that it is
likely to be the preservative that was responsible for the black and
crooked teeth, but there are some known things which can cause this in
mammals, including certain antibiotics at the wrong point in gestation.
 
All, do remember that some veggies or fruits can have medicinal
applications for ferrets who need them.  For instance, banana (NOT
commercial dried banana which can cause a blockage, but tiny nibbles
or puree) can replace potassium gently for a ferret who is on diuretics
as by doing that save a life, and pumpkin fiber can help some ferrets
with IBD.
 
Also, remember that a high protein diet (mice are about 52% protein),
while good for many, is inappropriate for a number of ferrets with
certain, specific health problems such as multiple types of kidney
concerns or cystine stones.  For these ferrets try the "elder" diets
which are lower in protein, often 35% is low enough enough for these
ferrets.
 
When there are mouth sores always check the kidneys!  Other causes
include: local injury, ascending GI infection, etc.  Although it may
sound strange, a bit of regular Listerine on a cotton swab put on the
sore not only helps it heal faster but provided some relief.  It is
trick we learned from a vet and have used with ferrets who had such
sores due to kidney problems and due to GI problems.
 
DIM: yes, this has been under study for a couple of years now.  Dr.
Katrina Ramsell, who has doctorates in both veterinary medicine and
pharmacology is the one who is studying treatments, and any vet treating
such a ferret should contact her.  The primary pathologists studying
this are shifting again right now, but pathologist Matti Kiupel at
Michigan State is very much worth contacting, and Mike Garner of
Northwest Zoopath will present a technical paper on the pathology
work at the Canadian Ferret symposium this year.  See:
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
 
Dr. Ramsell did a presentation for the AFA ferret conference last year on
this disease, and will hopefully also be able to attend the upcoming
symposium so that the vet panel can also discuss what has been tried but
has not worked on *proven* cases of DIM.  Sadly, treatments for some have
been thrown off by assertions of cases that were not definitely DIM being
publicly spoken of as if they were, but those treatments have not worked
on proven cases.  Watch websites, digests, and magazines for updates,
too!
 
Our Chiclet died of this about 2 and half years ago.
 
-- Sukie (not a vet)
Ferret Health List co-moderator
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives fan
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org
International Ferret Congress advisor
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 5143]