Bladder Stones
Additional Links (Most links pertain to cats, but ferrets and cats have the same dietary needs so its relevant):
https://feline-nutrition.org/answers/answers-what-exactly-is-an-obligate-carnivore
https://feline-nutrition.org/health/crystals-raw-diets-and-water
https://feline-nutrition.org/health/diet-kidney-disease-and-the-urinary-tract
https://feline-nutrition.org/health/feline-cystitis-and-bladderkidney-stones
http://theferretzone.com/2011/09/14/keep-your-pet-ferrets-healthy-–-dont-feed-them-sugar/
Peas & Bladder Stones
By Holly
There are different types of bladder stones that are formed based on different conditions in the bladder - acidity being the main one. All bladder stones stem from the same things:
High magnesium/plant-based diet, Plant-based diet, peas, chickpeas, lentils, legumes, sweet potatoes, inbalanced urine pH
Symptoms: Difficulty/increased urinating, blood in urine, stinky urine, peeing in odd places, frequent licking genital area, lethargy, dehydrated, abdominal pain
Most ferrets will not be able to pass a bladder stone if it's big enough that you notice something is wrong. If a surgery is not performed, the bladder can rupture, which is life-threatening.
http://ferretbiology.com/Urolithiasis
https://www.petmd.com/ferret/conditions/urinary/c_ft_urolithiasis
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bladder-stones-in-cats
https://truthaboutpetfood.com/grain-free-equals-peas-peas-and-more-peas/
*Additional information added by T. Whitehawk on 10 October 2020:
The following information (below) and/ or links pertain specifically to kidney/ bladder stones in FERRETS.
If your ferret has been diagnosed with stones - please request that your vet send the stones to the University of Minnesota (contact info below) to aid them in their research. Link to the original pdf document here.
ferret_cystine_rising.pdfClick above link to read an excellent article on kidney/ bladder stones in ferrets. *Note this information quoted from the article:
"Uroliths are usually struvite, except for ferrets on a grain-free commercial diet, novel protein or diet with legumes such as peas; ferrets on grain-free diets seem to develop cystine stones."