Itchy skin tumours

[Deleted]

Hello everyone,

Jean Luc is 7.5 years old, and in remarkably robust health for a senior. His only health issue has developed over the past year or so in the form of raised skin tumours (he has four now). He's been to a ferret knowledgeable vet about this, and she has put the option on the table of sedating him and removing one of the tumours to be sent away, saying that despite his age he would likely be fine with the anesthesia.

I'm kind of on the fence about this, and would welcome your opinions.  The vet believes they are either sebaceous or mast cell tumours that are almost always benign.  Honestly, I'm not worried about the possibility of cancer.  I am just concerned with way that Jean Luc scratches at the tumours until they scab over.  I have read that mast cells produce histamine, therefore causing these tumours to be really itchy!  Poor bugger.

So, I'm looking for any suggestions/advice about this situation.  Are there any topical treatments that you know of that might reduce the itchiness or prevent infection/inflammation (either over the counter or home-made)? Are there any anti-histamines out there for ferrets?  Would you opt for surgery in an older ferret? Thanks!

[Sherry]

I find reishi mushroom powder often helps as it has a natural antihistamine reaction. Give 1/4 capsule per ferret daily on a pulse therapy of 2 weeks on and 1 off.
Watch if he has insulin a as reishi has been known to lower bg levels

[Deleted]

If your are concerned, can she lower the dose of anesthesia a little? ( I do not know how that works) 2 of Mine went under at 5 years old.  One had pancreatic cancer , and would have woke her up, but I went ahead and put her to sleep.

But that is up to u

[Heather]

You can use sudocreme on the tumour. It does help ease itchies and heals damaged skin...the added bonus is it also tastes terrible
ciao

[Deleted]

Thanks for the advice so far! I think most stores are closed today for the holiday but I'll have a boo and see if I can find the Sudocreme. The reishi mushroom powder sounds interesting too, but I know that I would be inconsistent in dosages and timing. Has anybody mixed up any of their own salves for this type of thing using safe to eat ingredients?