Basic before reading:
Neutral pH is 7.0
Numbers below 7.0 indicate increasing levels of acidity the lower you
go.
Numbers above 7.0 indicate increasing levels of alkalinity the higher
you go.

The most common uroliths in ferrets have been struvite ones from food
that is too high in plant matter and causes too alkaline urine.

The less common calcium-oxalate uroliths and cystine uroliths happen
in urine that is acidic. The pH for calcium-oxalate uroliths is new
info for the archives.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/message/7315
>Actually a ph of 7 is elevated. Normal ph should be 5 to 6 (ie on the
>acid side). Most struvite stones will show up on an X-ray. Ultrasound
>would be the other way to check the bladder for stones. The urine can
>be cultured to determine what bacteria is in it and what antibiotic to
>use to treat it. One thing to check for is adrenal gland disease with
>secondary prostate cyst/abscess/infection. This can cause the wetness
>around his prepuce and reoccurance of urination problems. An ultrasound
>to check his bladder and prostate may be needed.
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

Now, as everyone who has read _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret_ or
the tables of norms for ferrets created by Dr. Susan Brown and
available on some websites and elsewhere knows those resources say that
the normal pH of ferret urine is quite different, for example:
>Urine pH 6.5-7.5; mild to moderate protein urea is common and normal.
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/physiology.htm

and in our own private experience we have two members of our ferret
family who develop cystine uroliths if they are on diets with more than
35% protein. (Cystine uroliths are a potentially fatal (due to urinary
blockages) form of urinary track stone in which four of the amino acids
(Cystine, Ornithine, Lysine, and Arginine) pose problems. When any of
them are too high for the individual then Cystine precipitates out and
forms stones. The predisposition to these stones is typically from
genetic changes affecting the kidneys. For ages (in general, not
specifically in ferrets) one genetic cause has been known and others
have been found in the last decade.)

Dr. Murray replied privately that ferrets on a high protein diet should
always be expected to have more acidic urine, and for a high protein
diet that is normal.
AH! THAT EXPLAINS THAT! INFO GAINED!

If a person has a ferret with acidic urine and a cystine urolith occurs
then you still need to pull that pH up to at least 6.5 life- long while
seeking veterinary care and expecting to have regular imaging of the
bladder after the problem is resolved.

I don't know what pH is aimed for if a ferret is prone to calcium-
oxalate uroliths.

But, if your ferret is on a high protein diet and has a low urine pH
that obviously does not mean that uroliths are inevitable, nor even
that they would be as likely as struvite ones are when urine is too
alkaline.

Three other notes:
for some ferrets with cystine uroliths controlling the protein levels
is not enough and for them there are medical approaches. Both Dr. Tom
Kawasaki (pers com) and Dr. Michael Dutton (journal paper) are
resources for this information, and some posts in the FHL Archives
could help with Amy Seyler's info on Polycitra-K (a urine alkalizer)
and Tiopronin. Examples:

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG13030
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG10779
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG9310

One tricky thing about Tiopronin is that it can sometimes remove senses
of smell and taste so it's best if diet works to go with that route. In
our two who have this vulnerability, rather than dying so young they
are now in advanced middle age (one going on 5 years and one going on
6 years without need for further surgery or meds as long as we keep
their dietary levels of protein no higher than 35%)

During treatment for any type of urolith extra water intake is
essential.

A bladder stone can first look instead like an intestinal blockage in
ferrets but an x-ray will help tell the difference. For both of ours
that was the original symptom and we immediately sought veterinary care
on an emergency basis since any type of blockage can go very wrong so
quickly. This symptom is because the swollen bladder presses against
the colon, not letting the bowels pass feces.

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 6071]