Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2013 23:26:05 GMT -5
Enlarged spleens and /or enlarged lymph nodes are not uncommon in ferrets. It's a generally accepted theory that an enlarged spleen and/or enlarged lymph nodes are cause by underlying problems. Suspects typically include viral or bacterial infection as well as cancers/lymphoma.
Some ferrets seem to be prone to enlarged spleens and/or lymph nodes for no apparent reason. It's known that in humans. the lymph nodes and/or spleen can become sluggish and or blocked/clogged up - and this can result in swellings.
Obviously, the best thing to do is treat the underlying cause of enlarged spleen/lymph nodes. But sometimes these swellings can have no identifiable cause.
When this happens, we sometimes treat ferrets with antibiotics to kills off a potential "smoldering infection". Other remedies have also provided good results on ferrets as well. These will be discussed below.
Before I mention these remedies, it's important to remember that these treatments are best tried under the supervision of a knowledgeable vet. Just because something is "herbal" "natural" does not mean the treatment is risk-free.
--------------------------
COLLOIDAL SILVER
---------------------------
Cooloidal silver has been in use on ferrets for enlarged spleen for many years. Some owners have reported that it can reduce the size of an enlarged spleen. However, I have seen spleens go up and down over night without any treatment at all.
Essentially, colloidal silver has antibiotic properties. there are additional posts on this site discussing the type of silver to use (particle size/quality is critical to safety of the solution, especially when used internally).
My holistic vet is not big on colloidal minerals. Miinerals can collect in the liver and kidney over time,and the quality of the colloidal minerals can be questionable.
Here is a page on his site that discusses some interesting information:
www.wellvet.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ART_COLLOIDAL
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HAI LIN PIAN (AKA Laminaria 4 )
------------------
HAI LIN PIAN is a Traditional Chinese medicine that's also known as Laminaria 4.
I have not been able to find a whole lot of info on HAI LIN PIAN, but I can tell my story. My Kachina, who is almost 8 had been slowing down over the past 6 months, and I noticed her spleen was a little swollen as were her cervical lymph node perhaps a virus? perhaps early lymphoma? <would not be shocking at 8 years>. My holistic vet did his exam and felt that she may benefit from "moving lymph", which is what the Hai Lin Pian can do...it mobilizes stagnant, congealed fluids in the body. My vet presribed the Hai Lin Pian, which consists of laminaria (seaweed), sargassum (seaweed), oyster shell, pumice, sinapis (herb from mustard family).
Within a week Kachina sarted acting like a youngster and has continued to do so for a couple of months - I'm not even given the this regularly because she hates it...BUT....
........her nodes and spleen are DOWN in size (normal)
........she's climbing again!!!!
;D
.........she's tearing up the house!!!!!!
.........she's a MONSTER at almost 8 years old!!!
.........I'm in utter shock over the degree of change as well as this seems to be a lasting change as well. I never even worked up to the full dose for her since she hates the stuff so bad. She doesn't seem to need it, and "less is more"
Laminaria 4 (Mfg = seven forests)
70 g - 100 tablets/700mg each
all the pills have been ground up into a fine powder
the prescribed dose is 1/4 tsp 2 times per day.
Start with a small pinch in the food and increase until full dose is accepted. (we never got up to full dose, and I given her a little in her food in only about 3 -4 meals per week.
Here's a link: www.drshen.com/sevenforests/laminaria4.htm
(see text on left side of screen --> for lymphatic swelling)
The following discusses resolution of phlegm with TCM. Please note that "phlegm" in TCM can refer to just about any fluid in the body that can congeal - it includes lymph. this is stated in the article, which discusses more than just the laminaria, which is the primary ingredient of the Hai Lin Pian.
link: www.itmonline.org/arts/phlegm.htm
Also read the stickied post about the lymphatic system in the Holistic Health Care section of this forum.
Lymphatic system health - quick tip
Again, all this is MEDICINE and should be supervised by a vet. Get a good diagnosis before trying this. Anything that moves lymph potentially spreads cancer. But stagnant lymph causes disease as well. The bottom line is you need to get a handle on your ferret's health and understand any potential risks before trying things. And when you do try something, vets should be involved because herbal treatments can affect traditional treatments.
-jennifer
Some ferrets seem to be prone to enlarged spleens and/or lymph nodes for no apparent reason. It's known that in humans. the lymph nodes and/or spleen can become sluggish and or blocked/clogged up - and this can result in swellings.
Obviously, the best thing to do is treat the underlying cause of enlarged spleen/lymph nodes. But sometimes these swellings can have no identifiable cause.
When this happens, we sometimes treat ferrets with antibiotics to kills off a potential "smoldering infection". Other remedies have also provided good results on ferrets as well. These will be discussed below.
Before I mention these remedies, it's important to remember that these treatments are best tried under the supervision of a knowledgeable vet. Just because something is "herbal" "natural" does not mean the treatment is risk-free.
--------------------------
COLLOIDAL SILVER
---------------------------
Cooloidal silver has been in use on ferrets for enlarged spleen for many years. Some owners have reported that it can reduce the size of an enlarged spleen. However, I have seen spleens go up and down over night without any treatment at all.
Essentially, colloidal silver has antibiotic properties. there are additional posts on this site discussing the type of silver to use (particle size/quality is critical to safety of the solution, especially when used internally).
My holistic vet is not big on colloidal minerals. Miinerals can collect in the liver and kidney over time,and the quality of the colloidal minerals can be questionable.
Here is a page on his site that discusses some interesting information:
www.wellvet.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ART_COLLOIDAL
-----------------
HAI LIN PIAN (AKA Laminaria 4 )
------------------
HAI LIN PIAN is a Traditional Chinese medicine that's also known as Laminaria 4.
I have not been able to find a whole lot of info on HAI LIN PIAN, but I can tell my story. My Kachina, who is almost 8 had been slowing down over the past 6 months, and I noticed her spleen was a little swollen as were her cervical lymph node perhaps a virus? perhaps early lymphoma? <would not be shocking at 8 years>. My holistic vet did his exam and felt that she may benefit from "moving lymph", which is what the Hai Lin Pian can do...it mobilizes stagnant, congealed fluids in the body. My vet presribed the Hai Lin Pian, which consists of laminaria (seaweed), sargassum (seaweed), oyster shell, pumice, sinapis (herb from mustard family).
Within a week Kachina sarted acting like a youngster and has continued to do so for a couple of months - I'm not even given the this regularly because she hates it...BUT....
........her nodes and spleen are DOWN in size (normal)
........she's climbing again!!!!
;D.........she's tearing up the house!!!!!!
.........she's a MONSTER at almost 8 years old!!!
.........I'm in utter shock over the degree of change as well as this seems to be a lasting change as well. I never even worked up to the full dose for her since she hates the stuff so bad. She doesn't seem to need it, and "less is more"
Laminaria 4 (Mfg = seven forests)
70 g - 100 tablets/700mg each
all the pills have been ground up into a fine powder
the prescribed dose is 1/4 tsp 2 times per day.
Start with a small pinch in the food and increase until full dose is accepted. (we never got up to full dose, and I given her a little in her food in only about 3 -4 meals per week.
Here's a link: www.drshen.com/sevenforests/laminaria4.htm
(see text on left side of screen --> for lymphatic swelling)
The following discusses resolution of phlegm with TCM. Please note that "phlegm" in TCM can refer to just about any fluid in the body that can congeal - it includes lymph. this is stated in the article, which discusses more than just the laminaria, which is the primary ingredient of the Hai Lin Pian.
link: www.itmonline.org/arts/phlegm.htm
Also read the stickied post about the lymphatic system in the Holistic Health Care section of this forum.
Lymphatic system health - quick tip
Again, all this is MEDICINE and should be supervised by a vet. Get a good diagnosis before trying this. Anything that moves lymph potentially spreads cancer. But stagnant lymph causes disease as well. The bottom line is you need to get a handle on your ferret's health and understand any potential risks before trying things. And when you do try something, vets should be involved because herbal treatments can affect traditional treatments.
-jennifer
