Could Dr. Williams expand his comments about Nutri Cal to offer advice on
two other apparently similar items?
 
>     Nutrical is meant as a nutritional supplement for sick animals.  Were it
> to be sold on the market - it would be used for all sorts of purposes, as a
> remedy for "whatever ails ya'", for vitamin supplements, for just about
> anything else.
 
Our vet has prescribed NutriCal a couple of times as a supplement for
ferrets recovering from diarrhea and with very poor appetite. We can also
obtain what appears to be an identical product called Nutri-Stat (made by
Tomlyn) except that is readily available in pet stores and is somewhat cheaper.
Our vet compared the ingredients and concluded the differences were minor
and insignificant. I assume your comments about being a nutritional supplement
for sick animals applies equally to Nutri-Stat. Is that correct?
 
We also have something called Ferretvite in our local stores that has
similar ingredients but less concentrated and which is sold as a "...Daily
Nutritional Supplement..." We presently use small amounts of this, more as
a treat than as a supplement. (One dose about once every two to four days.)
How do you view this product and its use?
 
------------------------
 
Ferretvite:
    Metabolizable energy                90 KCAL per ounce
    Manganese                           0.018%
    Magnesium                           0.007%
    Iron                                0.009%
    Iodine                              0.003%
    Vitamin A                           1700 I.U.
    Vitamin D                            130 I.U.
    Vitamin E                             15 I.U.
    Riboflavin (Vit B2)                   1 mg.
    Ascorbic Acid (Vit C)                50 mg.
    Thiamine (Vit B1)                    10 mg.
    Vitamin B6                            5 mg.
    Pantothenic Acid                     10 mg.
    Niacinamide                          10 mg.
    Vitamin B12                          10 mcg.
    Folic Acid                            1 mg.
    Taurine                             200 mg.
 
Doses:
 
For active ferrets: 1/4 tsp daily per 1lb body weight
To stimulate weight ga1n or during convalesence: 1/2 tsp per 1lb body weight
When pet not eating and used as main source of butrition: 1 tsp per 1lb weight
[Posted in FML issue 1251]