This is a pretty common and recurring "hot" issue on the FML so there
should be some references in the archives, as well.
 
Brewer's yeast contains chromium which lowers blood glucose levels.  It's
often used to "regulate" blood glucose levels for diabetics... the
opposite of insulinoma (hypoglycemia).
 
Lowering blood glucose is the very LAST thing you want to do to a ferret
with insulinoma.
 
The word "regulate" in the common description of brewer's yeast has been
the source of confusion on using this as a supplement for insulinoma.  In
this case "regulate" means "to keep from rising" NOT "stabilize".
 
For ferrets WITHOUT insulinoma, it's a source of vitamins, amino acids,
minerals... Brewer's yeast is one of the holistic world's wonder
supplements and DOES have some GREAT benefits.  An excellent description
of it can be found at:
 
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/g2603/0002/2603000229/p1/article.jhtml
 
But, the single side effect of lowering blood glucose makes it unsuitable
for ferrets with insulinoma or humans with hypoglycemia.
 
And yes, the Marshall Farms guarantee states that you must feed your
ferret Marshall's food for the first year to comply with the warranty.
I've never seen a ferret under age 1 with insulinoma (yet).  During this
age range, Brewer's Yeast is a good supplement.
 
Personally, (this is only my opinion) I wouldn't be overly concerned with
a ferret's primary food containing Brewer's Yeast until insulinoma is
diagnosed.  At that point, I would slowly change the ferret's primary diet
to a high animal protein food without Brewer's Yeast.
 
During the change (not opinion) hopefully less than two months, close
attention should be given to glucose levels (weekly testing) with regard
to the amount of medication (pred) the ferret is on.  The pred dosage may
take longer to adjust for these ferrets as the reduction of chromium in
their diet is also counter-affecting the pred at a varying rate.  Not all
ferrets will be so drastically affected.  This is stated simply because it
COULD drastically affect the one ferret you happen to have... and I prefer
to err on the side of safety in these cases.
 
Debi Christy
Ferrets First Foster Home
 
Practical & easy training, care, & maintenance articles available at
http://www.geocities.com/ferretsfirst/
[Posted in FML issue 3607]