Message Number: SG9439 | New FHL Archives Search
From: kay.smartgroups@polecat.org.uk
Date: 2004-07-06 06:20:37 UTC
Subject: RE: Help, need advise on a fast growing recurring sebacous epithelinoma
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1032807.1089094837433.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

Hi Scarlett,

I don't know if our experience will help at all, but I'll mention it just in case. Our 4-yr-old jill developed a growth beside her "elbow", which the vet sent away for diagnosis. It turned out to be a sebaceous epithelioma. Our vet removed it, and she recovered really well. Then a couple of months later she developed a second, just beside her left ear. Luckily the surgery was able to save her ear, but like you we were getting really anxious. She seemed unfazed by the surgery, but we wondered how many operations we could put her through, and what would happen if any more grew on areas where there was little spare flesh?

Within weeks of the surgery, two new scabs appeared. At this point, we were panicking. However (and I realise this success may just be total coincidence), this time we started using Vetzyme veterinary skin cream on the scabs twice a day (we bought this from an online store). To our amazement, the scabs healed up.

Our vet also gave us Seleen shampoo and we now use it (very dilute) once a week or fortnight, whenever our jill's fur is looking a little "greasy". (It doesn't really get greasy like human hair - it's quite a subtle change). She scratches more when her fur is a little greasy, then seems happier after her bath. She doesn't mind a bath too much as long as the water is lukewarm (tested with your elbow). I also make sure she has a couple of rinses, to get as much of the shampoo out as possible. Otherwise, she licks any residue off herself, which doesn't seem a good idea.

I wonder if she may be scratching her skin hard when it's itchy, then traumatising the wound until it grows into a large scabbed lump? The great thing about the Vetzyme is that it's very soothing, so it seems to interrupt this process.

Every now and then, a new scab has appeared. To me they look exactly like the early stages of a sebaceous epithelioma, though of course I may be wrong. But I'm hopeful, as we've not needed to go back to the vet for six months now. We now check for scratches every day, and put cream on any immediately. We don't even wait for any sign of scabbing.

She's a lone ferret so is not being scratched by other ferrets; on the other hand she is free-range and so could be injuring herself on something. However, we've searched all her favourite haunts from top to bottom and can find nothing at all which she could scratch herself against, so I'm guessing that she is doing it with her own claws. I think she also has quite tender skin for a ferret - certainly when we introduced her to our other ferrets, even what seemed like ordinary play resulted in her being scratched and drawing blood, so we had eventually to give up trying.

I have no idea whether my guess is biologically plausible and I apologise if this is just a daft theory from an untrained layperson. Maybe we've just been lucky. Maybe one of the more experienced people on this list could comment?

Whatever, good luck - we thought disaster was ahead and for now at least, it's all turned round, so don't despair! I hope your little jill has a complete recovery. I know how awful it feels. I'll be wishing the very best for you!

Kay