In the FML we have often discussed microbiomes in recent years, possibly most often in discussions of a possible relation to some cases of IBD in ferrets. Actually, increasingly in humans with one of the more serious GI tract disorders a trick used in large animal medicine, of introducing useful bacteria from the feces of healthy animals through a stomach tube, is being used as a treatment that is successful in some who are not helped by anything else.* Maybe at some point there will be such an approach tried for ferrets whose IBD is so severe that they live on chemo drugs. The Smithsonian has a microbiota article which is not about ferrets but is a good one for learning the basics in a very interesting and accessible way: <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Microbes-The-Trillions-of-Creatures-Governing-Your-Health-204134001.html?c=y&story=fullstory> *Noticed because of discussion of _Gulp_, a new book by Mary Roach: http://tingilinde.typepad.com/starstuff/2013/04/a-trip-down-the-canal.html Perhaps the most recent news discussion of microbiotia has been in relation to carnitine and TMAO product of certain bacteria (NOT all types) when the diet is high in mammal muscle, eggs, or cheese such as <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57578422/carnitine-chemical-not-fat-may-explain-link-between-red-meat-and-heart-disease/> but notice that with ferrets we have to separate out when the discussion is of the effects on the arteries as opposed to heart since ferrets are not particularly prone to arterial plaque. Sukie (not a vet) Ferrets make the world a game. Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.miamiferret.org/ http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/ all ferret topics: http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html "All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow." (2010, Steve Crandall) A nation is as free as the least within it. [Posted in FML 7775]
