Lost in the gobbledegook in the lower section of ingredient lists are the
supplements and preservatives used to bring the kibble up to government
standards, as well as keeping the stuff safe from rotting before you fed it
to your ferret.  Even though the kibble has already been dried to the
moisture level of an Egyptian mummy, the fats will still turn rancid.  Most
of the preservatives are toxic to the level of a fert fart, and often
include vitamin compounds with antioxidant properties.
 
Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary for life.  Many vitamins
are made by your body, such as Vitamin D, but others are not made, and must
be ingested for survival.  Because most vitamins work as enzymes (or
co-enzymes), they are not needed in more than trace amounts.  A few vitamins
act as hormones, such as Vitamin D.  Some vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K
are fat-soluble vitamins, and are quite important in normal growth and bone
production (amid many other functions).  Other important vitamins are
water-soluble, such as the B-complex and C.
 
Vitamin A includes carotene and reinol, and is important for maintaining
moist tissues in the mouth, respiratory and urinary tract, immunity, and is
essential for growth and night vision.  Deficiency symptoms include growth
stunting, night or total blindness, ulceration of the cornea, and a drying
of moist tissues including the tear ducts.  Some body storage in the liver
and fatty tissues.
 
Vitamin B-1, thiamin, helps to metabolise energy-producing compounds.
Deficiency symptoms are impaired metabolism of carbohydrates, and can
result in a disease called Beriberi.  Little body storage.
 
Vitamin B-2 or G, riboflavin, (no longer called Vitamin G) helps to oxidize
carbohydrates.  Deficiency symptoms include cracking of skin on lips and at
the corners of the mouth, changes in the tongue, facial seborroea, and can
result in a disease called Ariboflavinosis.  Little body storage.
 
Vitamin B-6 includes pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine and works as a
coenzyme for certain amino acid compounds.  Deficiency symptoms include
convulsions, skin disorders, abnormal red blood cells, and anemia.  Little
body storage.
 
Vitamin B-12, hydroxocobalamin and aquocobalamin, is essential for the
formation of nucleic acids and red blood cells.  Deficiency symptoms include
general weakness and can result in a disease called Pernicious Anemia.
Little body storage.
 
Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, helps in the formation of collagen and helps the
body in the role of an antioxidant.  Deficiency symptoms include brusing,
muscular weakness, gum disease, loss of teeth, and can result in a disease
called Scurvy.  Little body storage.
 
Vitamin D, cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol, is essential in absorption of
calcium from the intestine and the formation of bone.  Deficiency symptoms
include stunted growth, osteomalacia, and can result in a disease called
Rickets.  Made by the body when exposed to sunlight.  Some body storage in
the liver and fatty tissues.  Poisonous in excess.
 
Vitamin E, tocopherol, is essential for reproduction and as an antioxidant.
Deficiency symptoms include reduced reproductive desire, may be related to
muscular dystrophy and anemia, and can result in Impotency or Sterility.
Some body storage in the liver and fatty tissues.
 
Vitamin F, linoleic acid, (no longer called Vitamin F), is an essential
fatty acid responsible for the maintainence and growth of skin and hair.
Deficiency symptoms include changes in hair texture, thickened skin, and can
result in a disease called Eczema.  Some body storage in the liver and fatty
tissues.
 
Vitamin H, biotin, helps in the maintainence and growth of skin and hair,
and of the nervous system.  Deficiency symptoms include dermatitis, fur
loss, and nervous system disorders.  Raw egg whites inactivate the vitamin.
Little body storage.
 
Vitamin K, menaquinone, is essential for the production of prothrombin.
Deficiency symptoms include brusing and severe bleeding. Made by the body.
Some body storage in the liver and fatty tissues.
 
Vitamin L, M or U, Folic Acid, or folacin, (no longer called Vitamin L, M
or U), and is essential for the formation of nucleic acids, cell division
and blood formation.  Deficiency symptoms include anemia, weakness, stunted
growth and can result in a disease called Megaloblastic anemia.  Little
body storage.
 
Vitamin PP, nicotinic acid or niacin, (no longer called Vitamin PP), is a
vitamin of the B-complex having no numerical designation and helps maintain
the intestines, skin and nervous system.  Deficiency symptoms include
dermatitis, and intestinal and mental disorders and can result in a disease
called Pellagra.  Little body storage.
 
Bob C and 20 MO Vitaminavegaferts
[Posted in FML issue 2316]