How to use Reishi?

[Deleted]

I just saw on the IBD thread that ReiShi mushrooms are great for treating IBD. My vet says that Sebastians chronic colitis ( AKA IBD) is most likely flaring up because of his adrenal. I believe it because the bouts of tummy upsets started right around the same time he started losing a touch of hair on his tail. Anyways, I looked ReiShi up online, and I think it would help alot in both helping his tum troubles and in boosting his immune system, but how is the best way to take it? Powder form? Do you take it every day? Can my other ferrets take it as a preventative measure? Wheres the best place to get it?

thanks!!

[darlene]

I used it on Koby, I got the capsules from a health food store they were 500mg and he got a 1/4 of that every day. I had read though that it's not good to use if a ferret has kidney issues. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[Sherry]

Is his adrenal being treated, and when did he start treatment? That frequently takes care if the IBD if it's adrenal related.

[Deleted]

Well I ordered in melatonin implants two weeks ago and they havent come in yet!! Thats why I want to use something in the meantime. I had been giving him antibiotics which help but I dont want to keep using them in case he builds up a resistance. I am going to talk to my vet about deslorelin when Sebastian goes in for his implant, but I really want to make him feel better in the meantime.

[Sherry]

I give 1/4 of a 500 mg capsule per ferret daily.

[Deleted]

thanks! I bought a jar of Purica Red Reishi today. I wonder how long it will take to show any improvement.

[Sherry]

What the reishi does is help to alleviate inflammation as well as boost the immune system. It can take a while to work. If he's also raw fed, pancreatic enzymes will work much, much faster.
Does your vet do lupron injections? Might be an idea to get those started while waiting for des. While a melatonin implant can help somewhat in early stage adrenal, later on all it does is put a new coat on them. Doesn't touch the diseased glands at all.
Read through the threads at the bottom of this board for info on all the treatments: holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=adrenal

[Deleted]

Im in the beginning stages of transitioning to raw. Luckily even though Sebastian is the oldest hes been taking to the new food the best. I have to talk about Lupron with my vet as well, pretty much anything I want for adrenal ferrets he had to order in.

[Sherry]

Since des can take longer it might be an idea to get the monthly lupron going. My vet uses the melatonin implant alongside lupron and will do so with des as well.

[darlene]

Lupron is not popular on the island,most vets will not order it in because of the costs.....at least that's the way it was a few years ago.Being able to get the Des has been a god sent. I did hear that there is a vet in Maple Bay that gave monthly injections.

[Sherry]

That's insane! So prior to des, melatonin was your only option?

[darlene]

Pretty much.....Nike had one Lupron Depot near the end,didn't do anything for her. The clinic wouldn't let my vet(Dr.Lawrie) order anymore,because of the costs. When I then discovered Des,I was trying to really sell the benefits of ordering it in. We had a few discussions about it,but again the owner of the clinic wouldn't approve it,it was so frustrating. Then the owner sold the clinic to an Alberta co.,and the whole dynamics of the clinic really went bad. The best thing though was that one of the vets opened up her own clinic and my vet joined her!!!!! Hence was the beginnings of Chase River Vet,and when I talked to Dr.Lawrie,he was more than willing to get the Des in. Not sure about getting lupron though as I haven't had to use it.

[Sherry]

wow. That's just insane.