Lonny,

I'm curious as to exactly where it "came to your attention a few years
ago that mineral oil is readily absorbed through the skin, and also the
digestive tract". There is a tremendous amount of misinformation on the
internet.

I would not recommend frequent oral usage of either mineral oil or
petroleum jelly (more than 2-3 days in a row, or more than once a
week), not because they are absorbed but because they coat the
digestive tract and can inhibit absorption of nutrients.

However, they have a long history of SAFE use as a laxative for
occasional constipation in both humans and animals. Because they stay
in the digestive tract (GI absorption is generally less than 2%) they
provide lubrication and also block some water absorption, making stool
wetter, lubricated and easier to pass. So giving a ferret a dose of
laxatone or Vaseline once a week during shedding season to ensure
passage of ingested hair is quite safe unless your ferret already has
digestive issues that could be aggravated.

As for skin absorption, the reason *refined* (meaning, contaminants
removed) petroleum products are commonly used on the skin is because
they are *not* absorbed; instead, they sit on the skin and create a
barrier that prevents loss of moisture.

WHO classifying "mineral oil" as a class 1 carcinogen is a bit of a
misnomer, as WHO lumps a large range of non-refined and minimally
refined liquid petroleum products into the general category of "mineral
oils". Some of these products are branch-chained or aromatic and are
indeed quite dangerous. However, heavily refined White Mineral Oil
and White petrolatum do not contain these components and are generally
safe for topical use and for occasional oral use as a laxative, in both
ferrets and human beings.

Melissa M. Bell, PharmD, RPh

[Posted in FML 7544]