Pet Food Ingredients

Must-read for pet owners: Exclusive, shocking interview with Dr. Lisa Newman on the horrors of pet food ingredients (part 1 of 4)

Dr Lisa Newman, is the founder of Azmira Holistic Animal Care product line. I have been using these products on my pet ferret, Abby.

http://www.azmira.com/Products.htm

WHAT'S IN YOUR PETS FOOD

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S IN YOUR PET'S FOOD

It's amazing what kind of junk is going into your pet's food. One package of food for ferrets that I bought had an ingredient listed as "Sodium Bentonite", which is clay.

Pet Food Ingredients Revealed!

The following list of pet food ingredients and ratings was created by a cooperative effort between pet food formulator Dr. Lisa Newman, N.D., Ph.D. (http://www.azmira.com/), Mike Adams (http://www.healthranger.org/) and the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center (http://www.consumerwellness.org/). Mike Adams and the CWC analyzed the ingredients of 448 popular pet food products sold in the United States and organized them by frequency. Dr. Newman then provided a nutritional analysis and comment for each ingredient.

The Rabies Challenge Fund

An important project in veterinary medicine. It will benefit by providing evidence that protection from rabies vaccination lasts at least 5 years, thereby avoiding unnecessary revaccination with its risk of adverse reactions.



Many dog caregivers across the country are becoming more and more aware of the possibility that over vaccination can have harmful effects on dogs - and the rabies vaccine is no exception. The incidence of rabies exposure in companion animals and humans, though very low today, still remains a distinct possibility. Consequently, the Federal and state governments require every dog to be vaccinated triennially (still even annually or biannually in a few states) against rabies. However, the veterinary community is increasingly concerned that rabies vaccination given this frequently is not only unnecessary but also responsible for inducing adverse reactions that lead to both acute and chronic immunological and other disorders. Although a French medical study completed in 1992 showed that rabies vaccine is protective for at least five years, Federal and state legislatures have not accepted this finding.Thus, the health and well-being of millions of dogs in the United States remain threatened by the potential for adverse vaccinal events.

Surprisingly, formal, credible research has yet to be performed by either the manufacturers of rabies vaccines or U.S. academic institutions. The Federal and state legislatures want to see the results of such research before any relevant, existing policy or statute regarding rabies vaccination can be modified. Because of the complexities of politics and bureaucratic mindsets, the best way to change the rabies protocol is to prove through a challenge study that dogs not revaccinated for five and seven years after their first two vaccinations remain as protected against rabies as they were at the age of one year.

Dr. Dodds, Supervisor of this project, has established THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND CHARITABLE TRUST to solicit, receive and distribute funds to the University of Wisconsin Foundation in order to initiate, maintain and complete Dr.Schultz's research studies. Kris L.Christine, a leading pet vaccine disclosure activist, is the co-founder and co-trustee of this Trust. All gifts made to this charitable trust are deductible for Federal tax purposes and will be distributed in full to the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/index.html

Ferrets are susceptible to rabies, but it is a rare disease in this species compared to dogs and especially cats. Part of the reason for this is an inborn resistance to rabies. The occurrence of rabies in closely related wild animals, such as weasels and mink, is very low. Ferrets have very thick, tough skin, and not all bites will penetrate. For rabies virus to be transmitted, the skin must be broken and the wound contaminated with saliva from the rabid animal. There have been fewer than 20 cases of confirmed rabies in ferrets in the USA since 1958; several of these were associated with vaccination of the animal with a live vaccine not approved for ferrets. No human being has ever been reported to have contracted rabies from a ferret.

Until 1992, there was no rabies vaccine approved for ferrets. The rabies vaccine now labelled for ferrets, Imrab3, is a killed virus that cannot cause rabies. It is called a 3-year vaccine because dogs and cats require vaccination only every 3 years. However, ferrets must be vaccinated annually.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=11&cat=1283&articleid=562


Pet Vaccine Disclosure Legislation

Rabies Study

I think this is a very important issue for ferret owners having to vaccinate for rabies.

There is nothing scientific about the current vaccination schedule for American domestic animals. The schedule is directed by the research, or lack of research done by the drug companies.

70 million domestic dogs and 90 million domestic cats throughout the United States are subjected to unscientific vaccination protocols; rabies laws are dictated by drug manufacturers' labels and dedicated animal guardians are paying for something that not only is unnecessary, but carries many harmful side effects (1). The rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and has been linked to adverse reactions such as autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy and fibrosarcomas at injection sites.

USDA Forces Dog Lovers to Foot the Bill of Rabies Study

Ferret Care: Tips for Buying and Owning Ferrets : Researching Ferrets: Guide to Ferret Care

Be sure to do all your research before getting a ferret

I AM YOUR FERRET

ferret pics

I am your ferret, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear.

I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours. They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to appear.

You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit?

A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time?

That is all I ask.

To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me.

So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing.

Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat.

Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes.

Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.

I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week.

Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "one more day" with me.

Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have NOW, together.

So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart.

Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk.

I may tell you something about the fun of running through tunnels, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general.

You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am.

I am a ferret, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls.

I do not think of you as a "Ferret on two feet" -- I know what you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.

Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes.

Look deep into my eyes, and whisper to my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self.

We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short.

Love,

On behalf of ferrets everywhere

Author Unknown

del.icio.us Tags: ferrets,pets,animals

GETTING A NEW FERRET

My First Ferret

My first ferret, Abby (female, Albino), had a previous owner and was about 6 months old. They person I bought her from said she did'nt have time for her and she had a small child. When I got Abby, she came with a cage, some food (she had been feeding her Marshall's ferret food) and a couple of toys. Abby is a Marshall's ferret. She is so small, weighs about a one pound. I put Abby into the cage that first night, and after that I did'nt see any reason for the cage, and she has never been caged since. I don't think they belong in cages. I have read they are not caged animals, "you cage them for their protection". If you do cage them, they need at least 4 hours minimun out . Spend lots of time with your ferret, playing with them. If you don't have the time, then you don't need a ferret. Read here - so you wanna get a ferret

I did alot of research on the Internet, reading about ferrets. I made sure I ferret-proofed, but she was one not to get into alot of things anyway. I feel she had been caged most of the time with her previous owner, because she hardly knew how to jump or get up on things. But once I started playing with her she learned. Some of her favorite play activities are: Playing with a towel - I lay the towel on the floor and she jumps on it and I slide the towel on the floor. Another one is a plastic grocery sack, She loves it when I shake the bag, she'll hop into it, I'll throw in a toy (little furry mice) . Another good play toy is a box. Also got a big container with clean dirt for her to dig in, low enough she could get in by herself. They love to dig.

Abby is now about 6 1/2 year old. Ferrets live about 7 or 8 years, and someday she will cross the rainbow bridge. She sleeps alot now that she's old. She's also adrenal, and I've been treating her with herbs from Azmira. I know that the herbal fomulation have helped, she had adrenal for many years. The season changed, she lost alot of hair, I thought she was going bald, but it's growing back. I've also made a place in my closet to keep her in the dark as much as possible.

From a dumpster to a happy home - a ferret story

This is not the first time I've read about ferrets getting thrown in the trash. It make me so sad that someone can do this.

He was thrown out with the trash but found a loving home.
A dirty, skinny ferret with a sweet disposition was reportedly rescued by a Waste Management contractor from a covered trashcan in Teele Square on Jan. 4.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/homepage/x1059350465#

A Ferret's Prayer

A Ferret's Prayer

Understand me and I will be your loving pet.
I am not a rodent, but a carnivore.
I am not a wild animal, but a companion to man, domesticated between the time of the dog and the cat.
Feed me as a cat, but only with dry food for clean teeth.
Keep litter boxes handy, and I will learn to use them.
Take me along as a dog, but with a leash or carrier so I do not get lost
Do not leave me outdoors, I have no wild survival instincts.
Confine or watch me like a small child, because I am curious and like to get into things.
Discipline when needed with words and soft actions, because sudden force causes me to defend myself. I am a little thief, give me soft socks to steal and hide, instead of rubber toys to chew and swallow.
Let me visit the doctor as you would any family member, for a health check and vaccinations yearly.
Have me spayed or neutered; I have no need to reproduce to add to the pet overpopulation.
Handle me daily, and I will be your loyal friend for many, many years.
I am fearless and friendly. I have personality. I seek companionship.
If you cannot give me that, then please pass me by.

RESCUED ferrets in Flintshire are being taken for daily walks and living life at the end of a lead.
The furry friends from Capricorn Animal Rescue, Padeswood in Flintshire enjoy daily exercise to satisfy their active nature.The latest addition to the four ferret family at the centre is young adult Harvey, who was rescued two weeks ago.He was found starved and neglected but is now making a good recovery thanks to regular walks and lots of attention.

http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/Ferrets-lovers-lead-the-way.3640222.jp