>From:    "Juliana Quadrozzi -  (GDFA)" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: *Natural Pet* & '97 Annual *FERRETS USA*
>Natural Pet's - The Holistic Ferret (p 18)
>FERRETS USA - Ferret Food For Thought (p 40)
>Will they ever get it straight!
 
And these both come from the same publisher.  We think they need better
editors.  This disagreement about fruits for ferrets is the tip of the
iceberg for misinformation we're afraid.  This is not meant as a flame to
any person especially not Juliana but her post got us thinking.
 
In our "opinion" much of the holistic medicine applied to pets seems to be
mistakenly applying what is experimental at best with humans to an whole
different species.  We urge extreme caution before dropping traditional
Western Veterinary medicine with its strong basis in science for speculative
non-scientific medicine.  There is something to parts of holistic medicine
and the allied movements but some of it is quackery.  Touching for example
is good for animals (including humans) and was a part of these holistic
medicines before it was a part of traditional medicines but some miracle
cures touted in these non-traditional circles are no better for ferrets than
the quack miracle cures applied to humans.  Remember when apricot seeds were
supposed to be the cure all for human cancer?  That seems to have been
discredited now.  I strongly suspect some of these "new" "ancient" pet cures
will fall into the same state.  If the manufacturer truly believes in the
product why doesn't it put it through testing for full approval by the USDA
and the FDA?  They could help more people and animals as well as achieve
higher profits if they can be a part of the mainstream.  Altruism and
capitalism can work together so neither can be used as an excuse in this
case.
 
We believe more in the power of science and medicine to protect our ferrets
than in touted miracle cures.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1774]