Someone asked about why a vet would suggest pineapple juice for hairballs.
I believe the reason (and why it was also specified to be unpasteurized) is
that it contains enzymes that will digest and break down hair.  Which leads
me to a question I've pondered before -- I once sat through a seminar given
by a professional rabbit breeder on (what else?) raising rabbits.  She
strongly recommended giving long haired rabbits one half of a papaya enzyme
tablet every day to prevent hairballs from building up.  You can buy these
in most pharmacies now, and certainly in any health food store; they are
sold as a digestive aid for people.  They have a sweet taste and the
rabbits think they are candy.  I've wondered if such a thing might be
useful for ferrets... any vets care to comment?
 
As for aspen shavings, I've wondered why pet stores don't use these rather
than pine.  I suppose cost is probably the reason as it might be more
expensive.  But aspen is far less dusty, doesn't float around, and actually
has some body to it, so that critters can get sufficient traction to walk
around, and should they decide to build a nest or burrow, it also holds
whatever shape they put it in.  It would seem to be a better choice in
the wood shavings department, if they aren't going to use Carefresh or
something like that.  I use it for some of my snakes, and also my mice.
As far as controlling odor, it's much better than pine; in fact in that
respect I consider pine to be nearly useless.
 
Perhaps people could suggest to stores that it would be better to use
aspen than pine if they want to use something of that nature (and do it
politely - one reason that pet store employees and managers may give you
that "oh yeah?  - whatever..." attitude is that they don't appreciate
people telling them they are unfeeling animal abusing morons).
 
Karen
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"The snake is an animal. It has a backbone and heart. It has red blood and
drinks water and eats food. It breathes air and feels fear, just like every
other animal in the world. And it's in a body that is the hardest thing for
the average person to understand."
                -- Dave Barker, herpetologist
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If you love ferrets, check out:
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~crassi/index.html
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[Posted in FML issue 2847]