How to beat a mast cell tumor naturally

[keawearascal]

As some of you know, my soon-to-be 7 year old ferret Keawea developed one beast of a mast cell tumor in a previous vacc site. We're talking 3 inches of open raw flesh. More than once we thought we'd lose her because we couldn't control the bleeding after changing her bandages (which she had to wear full time) The vet said they couldn't do anything due to it's size and her age and the possibility of her having a clotting disorder. He suggested euthanasia. She's such a fighter I just couldn't so I came here for help. Than an amazing member here (Mustelidmusk) suggested Reishi. WHAT a difference. She's been taking it for probably around a month. She gets a cocktail of 1/8 Reishi capsule, 1/8 500mg Life Extension Foundation RNA, and 0.05 twinlabs vitamin B complex every 12 hours and the tumor has been shrinking for a week and draining whitish fluid. Yesterday part of it just well...exploded basically. I always gently squeeze it to assisst draining and chunks of gray matter I presume to be tumor just flooded out and the tumor looks shredded. Today the same happened with the largest/puffiest area. Drained areas are flat and full of holes and do not refill. The undrained portion is like 1/2 an inch tall. I'm posting pics now of how it looked a month ago. I'll post the pics I took today just prior to the second draining when I find my camera cord. I have not been able to get pics of it after the second draining because ir bled afterward (although not NEARLY so bad as before and I had to pack it with styptic powder and quickly wrap it. By the way, I use Johnson & Johnson non-stick gauze pads with neosporin , followed by folded tissue paper outside the pad to hold extra drainage, followed by half an ace bandage secured by sports tape. I clean it with 3% hydrogen peroxide and Betadine daily during dressing changes
*ugh it says the file with the pic is too big. how do I fix that? lol

[Sherry]

Oh, that is FANTASTIC!!!! I'm so glad the reishi is working for her, along with the rest
As for the pics- try photobucket, or one of those. They'll let you load larger pics, then resize them to the forum. I resize to 640X whatever it is ;D

[Heather]

That's great news that it's working for you. Thank you for updating us
ciao

[keawearascal]

Thanks! I will try photobucket. Yeah the B complex and RNA are from the Dr.Frank longevity program for cats and dogs. I found an article about it and adapted it for her. No idea if its helping, but I'm definitely continuing it along with the Reishi. I also FINALLY got her to eat raw and she does unfortunately need a deslorelin implant, but I found someone to do it and when all is said and done and she has the implant and is totally on raw she should be one happy little girl. And EVERYTHING is all thanks to this forum

[Deleted]

Did you have the tumor biopsied at any point? What you describe sounds far worse than a mast cell tumor...it sounds more like a vaccine-associated sarcoma, which are not particularly common in ferrets...but ferrets do get them.

I remember when we last chatted a month or two ago, I was concerned about the tumor thinking it may not be a mast cell tumor. I also want to recall that surgery did not seem to be an option for a handful of reasons.

I don't know that the reishi was the primary influence behind the healing process, but I suspect that it at least modulated the immune system such that the RNA and vitamins were able to do their thing and start working immediately....things like this generally do not happen over night.

I strongly recommend that you DONT CHANGE ANYTHING until the tumor is gone and the skin is healed....Yes, there may be better foods out there. But you can tweek/perfect diet later...sounds like the tumor is deteriorating rapidly...I would not want to distract/disturb the delicate immune system balance that's currently focused on getting rid of the tumor at this point in time.

If you email your photos to my emaill address (outside the forum), I can reduce the size (in KB). I'll email them back to you so you can post them here and elsewhere. It's always good to spread the word about things that have worked that may potentially help others

We all thank you so much for sharing this. Yes, we have learned about the Reishi on this forum, but you have brought forth the RNA and B-12, which may be the added ingredients required to initiate the actual healing process.

-jennifer

[Sherry]

Believe me, whatever it is that may have worked- we ALL want to hear about it!

[keawearascal]

Keawea passed away suddenly last night. I do not belive it to have anything to do with her tumor or supplments. The cats also recieve RNA and B complex and have been fine. She had what appeared to be a stroke some weeks ago and it seems she had another but this time wasn't so lucky. She was doing great-no more bleeding, tumor was almost drained, and she was going to get Deslorelin this morning. She had just gone back in her cage and was digging in her bed like she always did before a nap. I left her for less than a minute to go fill her water bottle and came back and she wasn't breathing. I attempted CPR and mouth to mouth for several minutes, but she was just too far gone. She will be privately cremated at a funeral home and will be placed next to Rascal's ashes with their things in my room. To be honest they have quite the shrine. I will send mustelidmusk the first round of pictures in a minute and will send the ones from after it began draining after I find my computer cord. I only have pics after the first draining, after the second she had to be bandaged immediately and after the third she was bleeding a bit too. I'm just in such shock-it's not fair. It's not fair that she overcame so much just have this happen. She was practically a miracle with her tumor...and more importantly mommy's precious baby girl. It's so weird not to have to tend to her. I suddenly have all this extra time and nothing to do with it. I hate it. As much effort as it took to keep her going, she was so worth it and I'd have done it gladly for years if given the chance. My life basically revolved around her for so long and I wouldn't have it any other way. in any case, I will still answer any questions related to her regime/ the results, etc.

[Sherry]

Oh no!! I can't believe this, not after she seemed to be doing so well

[keawearascal]

pics have been sent to mustelidmusk

[keawearascal]

Oh and it was never biopsied-just visually examined, but the vet was confidant. If you think he was wrong, it would be my PLEASURE to uh...tell him off to put it lightly

[Deleted]

Oh, nooooo!!!!!!! NO!!!! This is terrible news....This does sound like a stoke. I did some reading on the RNA and B-12, and this supplements would not have been a contributing factor. I know how hard it is to lose a ferret that is undergoing daily care - there's a special attachment and such a sense of "losing the battle" that the let-down is like jumping off a cliff.

Keawea's treatment was NOT a failure. It was a HUGE success, and I'm sure Keawea enjoyed a longer and happier life because of your dedication. She certainly appreciated everything you did for her, and she rewarded you by beating that awful tumor. She lived a long and happy life by making it to the age of 7.

According to Bob Church, ferret populations in the wild live to be 7 years on average. US ferrets live to be 5-7 on averge. Ferrets in European countries live to be about 8 on average, but this is changing in Europe now that ferrets are being fed kibble, are getting neutered, are subjected to indoor light cycles, etc.

You have to look at the good side of this and pat yourself on the back for having given Keawea a full life in a happy home.....most ferrets do not get to enjoy such a kind and loving home.

I am so, so sorry for your loss.
-jennifer

[Deleted]

I just checked the pictures in my email, and that tumor looks like no mast cell tumor I've ever heard of. I'd bet my next paycheck that it's not a mast cell tumor. I will reduce the resolution on the tumor and post them this weekend.

Keawea will be proud to help other ferts beat such nasty tumors. (I always beleive our babies who have passed are still with us - we just cannot see them until we meet at the bridge!)
-jennifer

[kainslie1]

I'm so sorry =[ My hearts with you! This is such terrible news.

[keawearascal]

Thanks Mustelidmusk-and please share any insight. I would love to know exactly what that moronic vet missed. I was going to start regularly taking her to the VA beach vet I was going to get the des at but well...you know... Thanks for letting me know that it wasn't my fault-and it does feel like such a personal failure. I really hope her experiance can help other ferrets, and I'll always help any way I can. Everyone, DON'T be shy if you have questions! I have no problem with it, and it's not too soon. Also thanks to Sherry and Kainslie1 for your condolences

[Heather]

I am sooo sorry Your little one had come so far, she was such a fighter. I will light a candle for your little one. Please know that she has earned a special star and she will be shining brightly for you always.
Goodbye sweet Keawea
ciao