From:
"jenniferr"
Date: 2009-11-21 03:39:33 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Gingival hyperplasia and Lupron?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hello, to all who may be following my ferret's story here!!!
Here's another update as a follow-up:
The gingival hyperplasia/infection has receded to the point where I beleive it has completely healed. The loss of the tiny incisor shows an area of tight gum, the strange poly-like growth is gone, and all tissue is normal in color. None of the remining incisors ore loose, nor have they drifted. This was not the case when the antibiotics were completed. So either my girl's immune system was strong/balanced enough to complete the healing process on its own, or the reishi helped with cellular support and healing.
[Healing often continues after antibiotics first take care of whatever
was too strong for the body to fight it alone. That is especially
true when some regeneration of tissues is needed, for example,
peripheral neurological damage reheals slowly over the space of
years in many mammals.
--Moderator]
As far as the Lupron goes, the last Lupron shot was given mid June. (It was the 3-month depot). I repeated the adrenal panel last month, and all values were within normal range. I plan to repeat the adrenal panel in early-mid January to see if the hormone levels are rising. I will also repeat the ultrasound to determine if there has been any detectble change to the adrenals. If the bloodwork shows no sign of adrenal issues in January, I will retest with another adrenal panel in early February and give another 3-month lupron shot at that time. I'll be curious to see if my girl shows any gum-related issues after the Lupron shot has been given. The odd part is that my girl has extremely white and clean teeth - no buildup, no redness at the gumline - very tight, pink gums. However, it is possible that she picked up a splinter of sorts cleaning her muzzle on the carpet.
I also added some "greens" supplement, which was recomended by my holistic/integrative medicine vet. Here's something I found VERY interesting....My other little girl has a scar on her from a scrape se sustained while escaping from a temporary cage as a baby. The crape was not deep, but it apparently damaged the skin enough such that the scar has no fur. My girl started getting a LOT of mast cell activity on the scar in January. I started feeding the "greens" supplement, and withing to weeks, the mast cell activity cleared up! It has now been 3 months, and I've seen a slight pinkish spot on the scar onlytwice - but no flaking, scabbing, etc. Just clear,smooth skin along the scar. I figure one of two things is happening...either the greens are making a difference, or hormone levels affect mast cell activity. I've never seen the mast cell tumors "go away" due to time of year. I'm hoping the greens are helpng and the mast cell tumors do not return!!!
[Were there actual biopsies to know that these were
mast cell tumors? Mast cell tumors can spontaneously
resolve; we've certainly encountered that in several
ferrets, BUT areas that scarred -- before the scar
tissue is well enough replaced -- can have trouble with
sebaceous glands not being able to drain well enough
and also with blocked hair follicles causing ingrown
hairs, and either can look similar to a mast cell tumor.
--Moderator]
I'll continue to follow up on what's happening in Jan/Feb. hoping that this may help a ferret with a similar situation in the future.
I'd like to add that I always rely on traditional medicine for "tried and true" treatments. Although I do admit the addition of the nutritional supplments in the form of mushrooms and greens seems to be adding value. Only time will tell.
-jennifer
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