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Post by keawearascal on Jan 18, 2011 0:53:32 GMT -5
And she was doing SO well *sigh* My little girl Keawea has had a small supposedly benign tumor for a while. In the last 5 months it has ballooned to an astonishing 3" by 2" and the entire thing is one big oozy lump of raw flesh. I have to keep it bandaged 24/7 just to keep her from bleeding out. Due to her age (she turns 7 soon) the vet offered only one treatment option, and I'm not willing to put her down when she's doing so great in every other way. I switched her to Zupreem Grain-free several months ago, along with adding meat baby food (which I later swapped for all-meat canned cat food) I did it right before her annual coat-blowing and the difference is unbelievable. For six years she had a ratty gray single layered coat and had lost her tail hair. Her hair came back a lush, thick explosion of color-all sorts of brown and tan complete with creamy undercoat and the bushiest tail ya ever did see She even started playing more. She's too much of a fighter for me to give up. Right now I change the bandage in the morning, and wash it with antibacterial soap, use betadine, and then a non-stick gauze pad covered in neosporin, followed by an ace bandage and plenty of tape to secure Isn't there anything I can try? She's my baby...
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sherik
Going Natural
Posts: 105
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Post by sherik on Jan 18, 2011 1:03:40 GMT -5
You can't get it removed? Where is it located? I would seek out a different vet.
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Post by Heather on Jan 18, 2011 2:27:05 GMT -5
Can you get a second opinion? I've heard of a number of ferrets who have come through surgery at 7. It is getting up there, especially for a sick fuzz but she's a fighter. I would be very tempted to get another opinion, especially considering the information you've given regarding her mental outlook. Where is this located? I will light a healing candle for your little one and hope that someone comes up with some sort of alternative treatment. I know that Jennifer has had some very good results with reishi mushrooms (diet) ciao
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Post by keawearascal on Jan 18, 2011 2:53:24 GMT -5
I will try to get a pic tomorrow. It is located on her side/back. I can't find a vet willing to do it-they all say it would kill her and I've tried several. Going by that, I'd rather try aggressive management. I wouldn't mind doing this for years if given the chance. I'm just scared it will get too big to control, although they say it won't hurt her. She also has a suspected yet unconfirmed bleeding disorder, Her brother did have it and it was a miracle he survived his adrenalectomy at age 4. I am inclined to believe one vet in particular who has a lot of experiance with ferrets. She wouldn't have enough skin to cover the wound either-she's really small for a ferret. I did just change the bandage an extra time because all the layers were already soaked with tumor-fluid and it was a little better-not as raw. It cycles. Gets better/almost heals over, than grows and tears itself. Prior to 24/7 bandaging it also gave off the most rancid scent I've ever smelled, but it is odorless now. On the bright side I STILL can't believe the transformation. I have pics on my other computer of a few days pre coat-blowing, plus when it was coming in and the finished product. My girl's NEVER been so healthy other than this dang tumor (and going blind a while back, but it doesn't bother her) Thanks so much, and I will definitely be finding out about those mushrooms!
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 18, 2011 10:43:59 GMT -5
Out of curiosity, have you tried reishi mushrooms? They have antihistamine effects, but also seem to really help with mast cell tumors. Can't hurt.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jan 18, 2011 13:59:37 GMT -5
Have out had the vet do a recent check for: 1. infection/bacteria? 2. fungus 3. Caner cells You vet shoulld be able to do a non-invasive check/cytology to help determine what is going on. It's possible that the latest growth is more related to spreading infection/funggal infection. I do recommend the reishi mushroomas an oral supplement. My girl had this weird thing that started on her gum. It was some kind of inflammatory growth. The Reishi cleared it up. It also has cleared up mast cell tumors on my other girl. The brands that I have used include: New chapter and Host Defense. Both of these brands includethe fruiting body of the mushroom along with the mycelia. Another thing that may help with healing is some Co-Q10/Co enzyme-Q10. it's an enzyme that works as an antioxident, and it helps healing at a cellular level. Is the wound red/warm? Can you get a picture? That would help. To stop the oozing, you might be able to use a little styptic powder. This may sting a bit -jennifer
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trippyferret
Gnawing on bones
The Weasels of Warcraft be goin' natural!
Posts: 78
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Post by trippyferret on Jan 19, 2011 17:12:50 GMT -5
I just wanted to add, I highly recommend reishi mushrooms for unoperable mast cell tumors. My recently deceased ferret, Daemeon, had a mast cell tumor. My vet was telling me the only was was to remove the tail(his tumor was high up on his tail). I didn't want to do that, he had insulinoma and it wasn't worth the risks. Then someone told me about reishi mushrooms, and I had to give them a try. His tumor was always a nasty, bleeding mess until I put him on the shrooms. The tumor did not disappear, HOWEVER it was healed, never bled, and never bothered him again for the rest of his life!
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Post by keawearascal on Jan 19, 2011 17:13:59 GMT -5
Thanks so much for the advise! I will definitely look into the mushrooms and Co-Q 10. What dosage did you use? I'll get a pic when I rebandage her tonight. Meant to yesterday but couldn't find my camera. Guess I can try using my phone It is EXTREMELY red, but not really warm anymore. Looks like a brain coming out of her side to be quite frank. I have had her checked. It was benign and they said she's ok unless it starts oozing green. It did stink before I started bandaging it but the smell has gone away.
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Post by keawearascal on Jan 23, 2011 4:34:12 GMT -5
UGH I'm really sorry I havn't been able to find my camera. I DID start her on New Chapter Organics LifeShield Reishi. I started at 1/8 of a pill (she's had two daily doses) and plan to increase tomorrow to 1/4. I have seen no adverse affects other than perhaps a bit more trembing when woken up or maybe her energy level varied a bit more, but that could well be my imagination. I am also going to have to buy her some Nature's Variety Instinct canned rabbit tomorrow, as she has decided it's SO tasty, she wants no part of wellness core or any of the other foods I feed in rotation to my cats when I can't get to the one place that carries the By Nature Organics I prefer. I supplement her Zupreem Grain-free with all-meat cat food to up her protein. BTW she is a small Marshall ferret, hence me starting at half of what Mustelidmusk feeds her late-alters. I just mix it in a drop of ferretone and she gobbles it up. I hate to use that sugary crap, but until I get some more rabbit, gotta have priorities
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