Posts from the Holistic Ferret Forum say that, "It seems that Marshall ferrets may have a genetic predisposition to kidney / bladder stone issues and the amount of pea protein in Zupreem Grain Free seems to be exasperating that." The majority of ferrets sold in the United States come from Marshall. Several veterinarian sites (Everett Veterinary,and Cimarron Animal Hospital), have said to not buy ferret food containing peas, as they cause bladder stones. Holistic Ferret Forums states that the pea content in Zupreem Grain Free seems to be connected to kidney and bladder stones and that several ferrets on the forum have had to have surgery for them, resulting in one or two deaths. The peas cause the PH in the urine to rise, which causes the bladder stones. Oxford Ferret Rescue has had a ferret die while their vet had to remove hundreds of stones from its bladder. Another ferret had been placed by them that later died due to the same thing. Both of these ferrets had been fed Zupreem Grain Free. Oxford Ferret Rescue's vet and the rescue itself have talked to a vet at Zupreem to try to get them to change the food's formula. Obviously, Zupreem did not listen.

        My own Marshall ferret was fed Zupreem Grain Free for about four months. We had noticed he had trouble urinating and was in pain. Our vet diagnosed him with bladder stones and scheduled a surgery to remove the bladder stones.

        He did not make it. He died during the surgery to remove the stones. 

        He was only one year and one month old. There was no physical reason for him to have died during the operation. If not for the Zupreem Grain Free, I believe he would still be alive today. Ferrets typically live for five to seven years. 

        Both my vet and I contacted a vet at Zupreem regarding our belief that the peas caused the bladder stones. After several frustrating attempts, their vet stopped responding to me. 

        My petition is to ask Zupreem to stop using peas in their ferret formulas. No other ferret should have to die. Be a voice for those who cannot speak.

Links referred to:

http://www.everettveterinary.com/blog/page/5

http://www.cimarronah.com/prevent-ferret-pancreatic-cancer

http://www.holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/11356