update: Reishi, neosporin, mast cell??

[Deleted]

Update bolded:
Wow... I was searching google and I came accross this link. The picture of the mark on their fuzz- that is exactly what SoCo's 1st mark looked like when it was just begining (late feb early march cant remember now). It gets more and less red at random times, and it got bigger too (and by bigger I mean longer, not raised. its never raised up). They have a much better camera than me, lol.
forum.ferret.com/tm.aspx?m=121648&mpage=1&print=true
is anyone a member on that forum and knows if they ended up geting a biopsy? I know the last thing she said is that it ended up getting better (SoCo's seemed 'better', tho not cured, at some times) .. if anyone is a member there, have you heard an update concerning this fuzz? I used to be a member but I cant recall my login info

We are still in the works of figuring out what in the world is wrong with SoCo's/my skin.. for those of you who don't know what im talking about; My doc thought that SoCo and I had ringworm, the vet said maybe mast cell tumors, we did a fungul culture on both mine and his skin and its not ring worm/anything fungal (on him or me) The day I got the results of SoCo's culture, I was bringing Mojito in for his B.G. check + Lupron shot. The vet is up north, my job is about mid way between the vet and home and since I had been working that day and had left only Mojito with my friend so TTFR could pick him up and meet me after work. I didnt want to leave SoCo down there because, unlike Mojito, he hasnt had a whole lot of experience with cats.. anywhoo when the vet told me SoCo's results were negative he said he has to see him again and may have to do a biopsy. I am super nervous about that. The biggest/worst mark is on his neck (about where a humans carotid artery area is) and I know a biopsy isnt a big deal on people but what about a fuzz butt? Not that I don't trust my vet or anything but I just.. I cant imagine my tiny little SoCo going under the knife Anything that we should do to prep, in case the vet decides to do it? Risks/lack there of?

The Doctor whoes office I work in, is my doctor. She wants to do a biopsy on me as well. I was all for it and even stopped using the cream I have to let it get worse until a few days ago. I was chatting with the physician's assistant that works in the office too and she offered her second opinion: she seems to think the issues are coincidental and that my skin has broken out into an eczema reaction to 'kit fur' or if it is mast cell tumors on him, I may be having a reaction to that/the dry skin on his patches... She wants to try to give me a perscription for a stronger eczema cream but she needs clearence from the doc first- we'll see how that goes. (Doc doesnt like being told she is/may be wrong)

I was reading through the supplements thread and the reishi mushroom info peaked my intrest. It says that its good as a immune system modulator as well as a natural anti-histimine effective against mast cell tumors.... I have also read from someone else on this forum (cant remember who) that neosporin has been effective on mast cell tumors... so I was thinking that since our next visit is a while off maybe I should call the vet and see if it would be okay to try to give him a little Reishi mushroom (since I am about to take on 'convincing' him to like oils, might as well do it all in one go) and/or using some neosporin on them to see if it helps and, if it does hopefully I can avoid him having to get biopsied all together.
Has anyone used Reishi mushroom and seen improvement of mast cell tumors? Has anyone experienced adverse side affects? Is this something I can get at a whole foods store/grocery store/vitamin store or am I going to have to order it online? Would it be safe to use in congunction with neosporin or should I try first one than the other. If I try one of them before the other, which should I try first? Although he is fluffy and shiny and beautiful all the time- he rarely grooms himself but what is the likelyhood/risk if Morgan or Mojito tries to groom him? Or if Kahlua bites him where he has the neosporin?

[Deleted]

Sorry I put it in the wrong place

[Sherry]

Not a problem No idea what a biopsy entails, however, since I've never had one done on either my ferrets, nor on myself(other than surgical)

[Deleted]

Oh... If he has one, I hope its not bad.. I hope he doesn't feel anything and that there arent any risks. I mean we do simple out patient type biopsies in the office I work in and its usually pretty simple, I dont think the doc uses anysthetic but I never hear people make a fuss over it (even the people who make a big deal over having their blood drawn buut then again im never in there for a biopsy so doc may use a local anysthetic) it ususally takes an hour/hour and a half and they leave, drive home like its no big deal. If they do a biopsy on him, I hope they dont try to keep him over night...
You use Reishi right? Is it something I can pick up at like.. a grocery store or a vitamin store or do I have to order it online? I'd like to find that out asap cuz I found a place to order the Zylkene from and If I have to order it, I might as well just see if I can put it in the same order as the Zylkene two birds one stone baby. I was also thinking (since I have it at the house) of trying some neosporin on them topically, I cant remember who but I read someone used that for mast cell tumors and saw an improvement and even some that went away I believe (hopefully theyll see this post and jump in) Im not sure how much is okay to use and Im not sure if it poses a threat to Morgan, Mojito and Kahlua (like if they lick/groom/bite him where the neosporin is)

[Deleted]

Hi ,
I am the one who started using the reishi on ferrets. Prior to my "experiment" with reishi on my ferret, I had never heard of it being used on ferrets. However, I have discussed the use of Reishi with three different holistic vets, and they approve of the use of reishi with ferrets as a general immune system modulator. None of these vets had used Reishi in ferrets, but they had no problem with trying it.

I accidentally discovered that Reishi healed mast cell tumors and/or quiesced mast cell activity on my ferrets. As such, I started "research". The bottom line is that Reishi is a valid treatment for mast cell tumors on ferrets for very specific reasons:
1. Adrenal activity in ferrets raises histamine levels, which can result in mast cell activity/tumor.
2. Reishi is a natural anithistamine.

In a nutshell, a good quality reishi supplement can help to reduce mast cell activity in ferrets. Thus, it can prevent and/or potentially get rid of existing mast cell tumors on ferrets. It can also reduce histamine-associated itchiness on ferrets. It has been my experience that most mast cell tumors disappear with reishi, some turn into small skin patches that no long itch/bother the ferret, and new mast cell tumors do not develop. An existing mast cell tumor that hast persisted for a long period of time will be less likely to clear up without a trace.

So... I recommend that you try the reishi to see if it helps. That patch be related to mast cell activity.

Regarding biopsy....
whether or not anesthesia (either local or general on an animal) will depend upon the depth of the biopsy - your vet may want to take sample the entire thickness of the skin, which typically requires a stitch or two. Please note that if a full skin biopsy is taken, the entire patch should probably be removed (since it's small).

A biopsy can be taken by scraping only the top layers of the skin. This usually does not require any anesthesia.

gain, the treatment with reishi will definitely not hurt , and it may save you money in the long run.

Here are the brands and dosing I use:

Either of the following:
New Chapter Reishi
Host Defense Reishi
Both of thee can be found at Whole Foods and Pharmaca. I have heard that they can be found at other places that sell high-end supplements.

initial dosing to to address inflamed tumors: = 1/4 capsule per day
After either 2 weeks of initial dosing, you can reduce the dose by feeding as infrequently as once per week depending upon need. Dosing seems to fluctuate with seasonal hormone changes, which vary on a per ferret basis.

Please note, I have given Reishi (1/4 capsule per ferret per day) for over 2 years straight with no adverse affects. ome people feel that pulsing makes (take the medicine for two weeks, then stop taking for two weeks) helps with some nutraceutical/herbal treatments. I tried "pulse therapy" with the reishi and I have not noticed any difference in the results. Feeding reishi daily does not seeem to hurt ( I do yearly blood work on my ferrets every year starting at the age of 4. I'm seeing great results in my 4 ferrets (one 5-year-old and three 6.5 year-olds) . Although this data is insufficient to qualify as a valid study, I feel comfortable in stating that the reishi has done no harm to any of my 4 ferrets.
-jennifer

[Deleted]

Thank you so much Jennifer!! I appreciate you taking the time to write all that. I will definately order the Reishi now
It might be significant to note that I've also read that neosporin can help and clear up MCTs and because I have that on hand, I started (on wednesday) using a little on him 2x daily and I have noticed 2 things- one, his look much better and so do mine. I am not using neosporin on mine, or anything else for that matter. I had run out of the low dose eczema cream I had and the doc wants me to 'let it go wild' for my biopsy, so I havent used anything in weeks but "magically" now that his seem better with the neosporin, so do mine. So I am assuming that I am having some allergic reaction to his (presumable) MCTs. The reishi would be fab though and I'm assuming much easier than trying to hold him down and rub neosporin on him 2x daily lol. Again thank you so much! I cant wait to get it.

Now.. when you say 'adrenal activity' can cause MCTs.. is that the only thing? He's only 8 months old, could he be having adrenal problems or do you mean activitiy like the non scary type of natural adrenal activity (it is still active in a non-scary seasonal based way even though they're fixed right?)