From:
kay.smartgroups@polecat.org.uk
Date: 2004-03-04 23:10:12 UTC
Subject: alternative treatments for epitheliomas
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5754371.1078441812730.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Hello,
I've just joined the list and would be grateful for any info on a recurring problem our little jill has.
Last November, she developed a skin tumour. The vet removed it and sent it for analysis - no problem, it was benign. A few weeks ago, two new tumours (in different places) were looking angry, so we had them removed too. She's only just had the stitches out today, and to our horror we have just spotted what may be a fourth tumour developing.
Our vet says the first tumour was a sebaceous epithelioma and these others appear to have been the same. (The vet is keeping the two later ones aside, in case we decide we need to get them analysed too.)
I had a look through your archives and you seem to mention surgery as the only option.
Both times, she's recovered brilliantly from the surgery, and we have a fantastic vet. However, I'm worried about her having to spend most of her life either having surgery or recovering from it (she's five). If this does turn out to be another tumour, is there anything we can do to slow down the tumour growth, or is there any alternative to surgery?
The vet says she finds the growths itchy, and she has greasy fur which needs regular baths with Seleen, so we've got some Vetzyme to treat any little cuts in between times. Small cuts do regularly appear on her back and neck, from scratching, so we also keep her claws short and change her bedding regularly, so that she's as clean as possible. We're hoping that may help.
She's a free-range house ferret, but we haven't spotted anything which she's rubbing herself against, or injuring herself with.
Any