INSULINOMA ELIXIR
 by Mary Van Dahm, Director GCFA Shelter
 
  The following recipe is a concoction that I have come up with that, when used
as a dietary supplement, has helped many of my ferrets with insulinoma or
anemia become more alert and playful again. I have also used it at the GCFA
shelter for ferrets that have come in in poor shape and needed supplemental
nutrition to their regular diets. It takes a little time to mix, but the
results in the critters are well worth it. I have even been able to reduce the
doses  of certain medications for my ferrets when they are given this mixture
on a regular basis. (Please consult with your veterinarian before changing
doses an your own). This mixture is not meant to be used as a replacement for
a well balanced regular diet, but can be used as such for short periods of
time in sick ferrets that cannot manage hard food. This mixture will usually
produce softer stools in ferrets due to its low fiber/high fluid content, but
has not produced diarrhea in any of the ferrets that I have used it on, as some
of the other popular supplemental "soups" have done.
 
If anyone has any questions or comments about this mixture, please feel free
to contact me.
 
 1 jar (2-1/2oz) meat baby food (turkey or chicken are best)
 2 oz chicken broth (no or low salt varieties DO NOT USE BOUILLON CUBES)
 2 oz water (may be omitted if thicker mixture is desired)
 1 tsp. Feline Probalance
 1/2 to 1 tsp. Kitty Lac or KMR powder
 1/2 tsp. Brewer's yeast (with or without garlic)
 1/2 cc (approx 1/8 tsp) Petinic
 2 Papaya tablets crushed (May be found at drug stores in the
 vitamin section or in health food stores)
 
 * Blend the dry ingredients with the baby food.
 * Heat the chicken broth and water until hot, but not boiling.
 * Stir into baby food mixture.
 * Add the Petinic.
 * Stir and serve.                                  '
 
This recipe makes 4 servings and can be given twice a day.  Store unused
portion in the refrigerator.  Do not store for more than 48 hrs.  Some
Nutrical may be added (1 tsp) if the ferret needs some enticement to try
the mixture or if the ferret needs the extra calories.  Most ferrets will
willingly eat it as is.
 
     --------------------------------
I hope this is of some help to some of you.
 
                -----------------------------------------------------
                Roger D. McMillian
                Director, Greater Chicago Ferret Association
                Moderator, Ferret Forum Echomail Conference (Fidonet)
                Volunteer Adoptions Officer, GCFA Shelter
                Editor, "Off The Paw" - GCFA Newsletter
                Midwest Anchor: Ferret News Network
                   U.S. Anchor: International Ferret News Service
                Addresses:
                Internet: [log in to unmask]
                                [log in to unmask]
                Fidonet:        1:115/622
                                1:115/738
                -----------------------------------------------------
--
Roger Mcmillian, via the Great Lakes Internet <=> FidoNet Gateway
Internet: [log in to unmask]
    UUCP: ...!umich!wsu-cs!royaljok!115!622!Roger.Mcmillian
 
[Posted in FML issue 0298]