Post by Mil on Oct 30, 2011 12:28:29 GMT -5
Transferred from the TRRQ Discussion Board Formerly on Facebook:
Carol Weekes
Recently, over the past month, I've had to treat a common ailment of female pet rats: the dreaded mammary tumor. My rat, Jackie, is between 18 and 20 months old and a month ago a small (Smartie to small limabean-sized) tumor popped up, virtually overnight, behind her right front leg, near the armpit. I've had many rats over the past ten years and have had numerous ones develop tumors. I've tried to the Tamoxifen approach (it worked well with one, but not with others), and have used soy products from the time they were young, but still some rats develop tumors.
While scouring the internet to seek other methods of treatment for Jackie's tumor (including trying to find information on Lupron injections), I also came across numerous articles on the use of Coriolus (Turkey Tail) asian mushroom that comes in powdered caplet form, as well as the use of flax seed/oil with cottage cheese.
I began the flax oil/cottage cheese within a day of reading about it and noted that, over a week, the tumor had shrunken to half its size. I kept the regimen up. The tumor enlarged a little again, slightly thicker than at first, but never got any bigger. Then I began using Coriolus mushroom powder and shark cartilage on September 30. In a week, the tumor is again, half its size and much less dense. The instructions on the Coriolus box state that consumers WILL see a difference, or money back guaranteed - but that it can take a week to three weeks for the effects to occur.
Many articles on the internet from people with cancer swear to the positive results of both the flax seed diet and the use of Coriolus. All are natural products and, unless someone has a rare allergic reaction, supposedly cannot hurt you.
At this point in time, I can only say this:
- the tumor has diminished in size
- it is less firm than it was (moveable with fingers, but less dense)
- it has not grown with the usual rate of speed like past tumors on rats
I'd be curious to know if any others have tried these products with their rats and what their results have been. I mix a little of the mushroom powder (the instructions on the internet for use with pet rats is 1/4 of a 500 mg capsule or tablet, twice a day for the first two weeks, with shark's cartilage), then 1/10 of that once day for the remainder of the tumor until it disapears, and for the remainder of the rat's life as a preventative measure. If stopping its use, and another tumor starts, resume the procedure again.
Time will tell if the tumor disappears entirely, but at this point, even if it slows it considerably, or shrinks it, that's a positive thing too for the health of the rat.
Just sharing what I've tried, hoping it will help other rats with tumors; any kind of tumors or cancer.
over a year ago
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Carol Weekes
I thought I'd give an update on my progress with Coriolus versicolor and shark cartilage. Although Jackie's tumor tried to grow a bit (possibly a new blood supply trying to start against the medications), it has shrunken and grown much softer over the past week. It had become the size of a large, firm grape for a few days, and now has lessened to half that size, as well as half the density. So, it seems that, although the tumor had tried to grow, these things are beating it back.
At the very least, I'd hoped that this stuff would slow a tumor, and it certainly seems to be doing that, as I first noticed her tumor on Sept 10th; today being October 22, it's growth has hardly progressed.
I also began giving 1/10 drop of grapefruit seed extract (you mix one drop with 9 drops of juice, blend, then extract one of those blended drops and mix it in with about 1/4 tsp of baby custard or food) with her baytril to help diminish some occasional respiratory noise, and to balance the ph and probiotics in her system.
Either way, I wanted rat folks to know that I seem to be having considerable success with the Coriolus. I also contnue to give her about 1/2 tsp a day of the blended flax seed oil and cottage cheese. They certainly aren't hurting!
over a year ago
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The Rodent Reader Quarterly
Thank you so much for sharing this information, Carol! I'm sure all of us who have female rats have faced tumor issues (or most likely will), and this is very encouraging. I hope others who have tried alternatives to the conventional course of surgery will likewise let us know what treatments they've used and the results.
Thanks again!
over a year ago
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Ashley Ann Atkinson
Wow Carol! Mammary tumors, as you know yourself, are some of the biggest concerns to us rat lovers. We also fed flax seed to our rats, and it seemed to slow the progression, although it was hard to tell. One rat developed a tumor that was so large that she could almost not touch the ground with her back feet. Eventually, we had to put her down because of this reason... I also believe that our other rat had an internal tumor. She lost control of her back legs without any apparent cause, and it was about the same place as our other rat developed her tumor. I really wish they would come up with ways to get rid of tumors in rats effectively and safely, but it seems that's low on the priority list in the scientific world.
about 11 months ago
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Carol Weekes
Hi Ashley:
Oh, I hear you. Sometimes rats can develop back leg paralysis as they age. Often, it is hard to know exactly what is wrong.
My girl's tumor is staying small; she's had it three months now. It is the size of a small grape. I've been keeping up the flax seed oil and cottage cheese (or flax seed oil and soft tofu, if you can' t use a milk product), as well as the Coriolus mushroom extract and shark cartilage. The tumor is not her issue; it's some respiratory. I don't believe the tumor is creating any significant medical issue for her.
I'm hoping that others might find the flax routine, as well as the Coriolus, (and I've been using grapefruit seed extract) to be beneficial in both boosting the immune system and curbing the tumors. I guess it's determined by individual rats and their cases, their genetics, their immune system condition, etc.
I wish you the best; I've had female rats who had tumors grow huge before (when I had multiple rats and the costs of surgeries became prohibitive) which is why I only have two right now. I wish I'd known about this stuff to be able to try it back then. We can only go forward as we learn new things.
All best to you.
about 11 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Carol, this information you shared is awesome. Thank you so much. We've lost ratties to this in the past. Right now, none of our seven girls has one, but as you well know, this can change overnight. I think we'll order some Coriolus soon. Where did you order it from, if I may ask? Again, thank you for all this info!
about 9 months ago
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Carol Weekes
I picked mine up from a local healthfood store, although the Coriollus can be ordered online. It's a dehydrated mushroom powder.
My rattie's tumor, after six months, is only the size of a walnut instead of the usual apple-sized or more after all this time. Although it is bigger than when it first began (jellybean sized) six months ago, the growth rate has been very slow and it has been this size for several months now. So, in my case, it has retarded the tumor growth rate by about 90 - 95%, given how I've seen tumors quadruple that size in that same time period on other of my female rats in the past when I hadn't known about these products.
Each morning I give them 1 tsp of organic plain yogurt with 1/2 tsp of cold-pressed flax seed oil, and 1/5 capsule of turmeric powder. Each evening I give them 1/5 capsule of Coriolus powder, 1/5 capsule of shark cartilage powder, a tiny fleck of Co-enzyme Q 10 (about sesame seed size or smaller) mixed in with this, and blend it all with a bit of rice pablum and soy milk.
I also put a drop or two of grapefruit seed extract in their bottled water, on a week, off a week. I bought a bottle of colloidal silver two months ago (5 ppm) and use a drop of it in their baby food two to three times a week.
I do put a bit of Vitamin C, D, E, and A in their pablum mix each morning; I just scrape a small amount off the Vitamin C and D pills (about 1/50) and use one liquid vitamin E capsule daily. I use the vitamin A every second to third day.
I feed them brown rice cooked (contains inositol), and steamed kale, yellow squash, watermelon, red grapes...all natural anticarcinogens.
All of the above are also intense natural immune system boosters, and my readings into tumors and respiratory infections generally, be it for people or pets, has the sites for these products state that a strong immune system is the key to fighting disease, including cancer.
The coriollus and shark cartilage, among the other products, also create anti-angiogensis, the growth of blood vessels used by the tumor to 'feed' off the rat's body.
Again, I am not a vet; just a rat lover who turned to these products out of desperation to fight tumors and respiratory when I wasn't always having luck with conventional methods of treatment.
At 25 months, my girl (and her 18 month old friend) have the energy of rats much younger; they have beautiful coats, great appetites.
Read up on the products and make a decision for yourself. I do believe that, had I not used these products, that Jackie's tumor, after six months, would have been the size of a regular apple or larger by now. I've had rats whose tumors, after 10 months to a year, were the same size as the rat; the size of a regular, heavy sweet potato.
If these products can stop the growth, or slow it considerably while simultaneously strengthening the immune system, then who wouldnt want to try them.
They are natural anti-oxidants, anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial.
Best of luck.
about 8 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Carol, I would never have thought of looking for holistic treatments for the rats, so this information is terrific. Again, thank you so much for sharing it. There's a health food store in town I can get these products. One of our girls, Buffy, is a hairless and I just found a small bump on her side. I'm not sure if it's a cyst or tumor, but I'll be starting her on these products immediately.
about 6 months ago
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Deonna Mercer Wilkinson
How much of the shark cartilage and Coriolus did you use?
about 5 months ago
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Carol Weekes
www.freewebs.com/miscrats/howtotreatatumour.htm
The above website offers the information on it. My Coriollus wasn't in a tablet form, but rather, a capsule of powdered mushroom. I used 1/5 of a capsule initially twice daily for two weeks, then once daily after that, continuously. I'd already had the shark cartiliage, but it isn't easy to find. The website offers a UK brand, though, which can probably be ordered. Again, I used 1/5 of the shark cartilage. Again, this is just what I've followed from rat sites on line; I'm not a vet - have just gone on some advice from holisitic sites. I should also add that tamoxifen DID shrink the tumor on her side by half, later on. The holistic stuff slowed its growth considerably, (and it was a benign tumor; some people say that tamoxifen only works on malignant tumors, but I've used it successfully on benign tumors in the past, and again this time - the tumor was confirmed benign by the vet).
My girl passed away two weeks ago; it wasn't the tumor, which had shrunken down to the size of a large grape again; it was something which we'd never been able to confirm - nasal noises that never cleared up, no matter which medicines were used - she became very weak, lethargic, lost balance on one side; it wasn't PT; possibly a series of small strokes...I miss her. But the holistic stuff did work well for months. Flax seed oil with soy milk, or plain yogurt, is also good. Good for the heart too.
Best of luck.
about 5 months ago
Dan Goodell
Carol, I'm so sorry to hear about Jackie.
about 5 months ago
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Carol Weekes
Thank you, Dan. I miss her immensely; it gets easier with time. The cherished memories and their love that lives in our hearts forever, and oursin theirs, keeps us going. How much joy they bring to our lives! Despite the grief, I wouldn't have it any other way. As the saying goes 'If grief is the price we pay for knowing love, then it is worth it'. Indeed.
I hope that the above website can offer hope to others whose rats have tumors. It may not stop a tumor entirely; but if it slows the growth so that the tumor never becomes large enough to necrotize, extract nutrients from the rats body, or impinge on organs, then that in itself is a success. Blessings.
about 5 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Yeah, it always hurts, that's for sure. We lost one of girls a few weeks ago--we believe her heart was bad. Like you said though, it's a small price to pay for all the joy they give.
about 5 months ago
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Carol Weekes
I'm sorry to hear this; I well empathize. Heart problems can mimic respiratory. Sometimes it is so hard to properly diagnose. If one system or organ begins to weaken, it affects everything else. We just want them to live forever with us...that's the thing. My thoughts are with you on your loss.
about 5 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Thank you, Carol. It did look like a respiratory problem at first. She lived with it for several months and was never in any pain. She wasn't as active, but did enjoy playtime and dinner (of course!). She was your typical happy rat. She lost her litter mate back in December, but all of her adopted sisters kept her company.
about 5 months ago
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Deonna Mercer Wilkinson
Sorry for your loss but very grateful for the info you have supplied.
about 5 months ago
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Nancy Otto Hynes
We discovered tonight that our rat Candy has a tumor on her chest. My 10 yr old daughter is quite upset about this as we have already lost a rat to tumors. I have read all of the posts here tonight and I am going to start Candy on some of these holstic remedies. I have also been searching the internet and found several mentions of IP6-Inositol Hexaphosphate being a cancer cell inhibitor. Just wondering if you have any info on this. I also read that parsley has some cancer fighting properties and was wondering if I should try feeding some fresh parsley to Candy. I may even call the vet tomorrow to inquire about Tamoxifen and Lupron.
about 5 months ago
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Post Deleted
about 5 months ago
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Dan Goodell
I thought I should check in and post an update on Buffy.
Buffy developed two mammary tumors at roughly the same time, one behind her left front leg (which I originally thought/hoped was a cyst) and one by her rear left leg.
We ordered the coriolus and I started her on the flaxseed oil. About a week after starting her on the coriolus, she developed another tumor, this time by her rear right leg. Then, not long after that, the fourth one appeared by her right front leg.
By the time the third and fourth tumors appeared, the first two tumors had shrunk, especially the lower left tumor. Along the way, we ordered some shark cartilage and started adding it to her flaxseed and coriolus.
The bottom tumors and the front right tumor have shrunk to the size of a pea, if that. The front left has been stubborn, but is now the size of a small marble and shrinking.
Amazingly, Buffy hasn't lost weight through all of this. She's been a tad pudgy for quite awhile, even before the tumors. She hasn't lost any weight.
Buffy received two doses a day for two weeks, and then we scaled it back to one a day, making sure to keep an eye on all four tumors to see if we needed to make any adjustments.
Every other day, she and her six sisters get a mix of flaxseed oil, some coriolus, and shark cartilage and some grape extract with their daily fruits and veggies (this is in addition to Buffy's daily dose).
For Buffy's daily dosages, I give her 1/5 of a capsule of coriolus, 1/5 of a capsule of the shark cartilage, and four or five drops of flaxseed. I alternate mixing it all between yogurt, cottage cheese, and baby food.
She's 14 months old, happy as she's even been, and still moves around very well. Usually it takes a couple of months or so before one of these horrible things takes a rattie away. Buffy has had four. And she's as good as ever. If I hadn't seen this for myself, I probably wouldn't believe it.
Carol, from both me and Buffy, I can't thank you enough. I never would've thought of looking up holistic treatments for this.
about 3 months ago
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Carol Weekes
Hi Dan, Donna, Nancy:
Dan, I'm really happy to hear your good news for Buffy. The holitstic products can work differently on different rats, depending upon the rat and what types of growth they have. For some, they just slow the growth down but don't actually shrink it; for others like yourself, the growths shrink. On rare occasions, I've heard there are no results, although the holistic stuff still boosts the immune system, regardless. But I am so happy to hear you've had success.
Donna:
I'm so sorry about your baby. If the tumor has intersected organs, it may be malignant, rather than benign. You can still try the holistic remedies, and tamoxifen is also useful with BOTH malignant and benign tumors. I know because it also helped to shrink Jackie's tumor while she was here, and is now keeping Squeaks' two tiny tumors very small, even months later - and I do give Squeaks the holistic stuff too, but this time am using the tamoxifen daily as it seems to be doing the trick.
Prednisone does have some tumor-shrinking qualities, but when taken longterm can be an immuno-suppressant, so the rat usually has to be on a basic antibiotic to help boost the immune system (and therefore, also a probiotic to help counter the antibiotic affects on necessary gut flora). But something like flax seed oil with soy milk, or the coriolus is also a natural immune system booster, as well as anti-carcinogen. Some people have also had success with small, daily doses of turmeric (the natural yellow spice; holistic turmeric is more concentrated than the cookng spice, but both are touted as good anticarcinogens and immune boosters). I used to sprinkle a small amount in baby foods for Jackie.
The only thing you can do, Donna, is try these various things, and just love her and keep her comfortable for as long as possible. Google them and read about them, and then make your decision. If you still don't feel you want to try them, that's entirely your choice. Do what you feel is best. Just ensure that nothing contraindicates any current medication she's on. Also, dexamethesone can be more powerful than prednisone, and you may wish to ask your vet about that if the tumor continues to grow quickly or begins to cause her discomfort.
I fully empathize how you feel; the fear of losing them. It's been just over two months since Jackie crossed and not a day goes by where I don't miss her and think of her and the others who have been with me; but eventually. I know, it's hard. But at least you're loving her and giving her a great life. She's one of the lucky ones. It's all we can do for them. And whenever that moment comes, you have everyone here for support - you know that, don't you?
Nancy, Inositol is a natural ingredient found in brown rice, but can come in concentrated forms for holistic purposes. Ask at a health food store and perhaps discuss the various options with a naturopath. You can cook brown rice for your rats and also provide rice milk which also contain inositol, albeit perhaps in lower doses. Best of luck with everything.
Our precious rats; we love them so much and would do anything for them. May all your babies be as well as possible and continue on for a long time to come.
If and when the time comes and a sweet rattie crosses over, feel free to message me if you need to chat. I know only too well what it's like to lose them, having lost over 50 tiny pets in the last ten years. Heartbreaking, and yet loving them is so intensely satisfying and fulfilling.
Blessings to all!
Just try to take things one day at a time and just love her. It's the best gift.
about 3 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Buff-date. Both of Buffy's bottom tumors have either disappeared or shrunk to the point where I can't feel them. The other two are still there, but not growing. Buffy's as happy as ever. A few days ago, I discovered a small tumor under the right arm of one of Buffy's cage mates, Tori. So I've started her on the coriolus as well. Tori's tumor is still very small, so hopefully we can keep it that way.
about 3 months ago
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Carol Weekes
Glad to hear that Buffy is doing well; if it at least slows tumor growth (stopping them is even better), then it's being successful. Hope you have similar or same results with Tori. My girl Squeaks has two tumors now; a small grape-sized one in the left groin area and a pea-sized one under the front arm. She's been on coriollus for the past three months shortly after my discovering them; they've gotten a tad bigger but not much in almost four months. All we can do is do our best, which we do!
about 2 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Buffy and Tori update. The Buffapotamus is still alive and doing great. Her front tumors grew larger and denser and I increased her dosage of coriolus and shark cartilage and that seems to be reversing the growth.
The bottom tumors never got any larger after shrinking. Buffy's weight has remained the same and she's still running around and playing like she always has. I'm pretty sure that with the size and number of tumors Buffy has, she'll be on it for the rest of her life. It's a small price to pay to have her around. It's been five months or so since I first noticed her tumors.
Tori's tumor has shrunk to the point where I really have to look for it to check it. Actually, I'm not sure it really shrunk or just stayed the same size. Either way, it's good.
And of course......
Tonight I discovered a tiny mammary tumor behind Maggie's (Tori's litter mate) front leg. So now it'll be three on the coriolus. This stuff is really amazing.
It is so nice to know that when you spot one of these things, there's a weapon to fight it without surgery.
How is Miss Squeaks doing, Carol?
about a month ago
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Carol Weekes
Hi Dan:
I'm really happy to hear that you're having success with Coriolus. It does (at least most of the time) at least keep the growth rate slower, if not shrinking the tumors. It's a great relief and I'm so happy to know that it is helping other ratties.
I still have Squeaks on it, plus I've had her on Tamoxifen for the last few months. In August I wasn't sure if I should keep her on Tamoxifen and took her off for three weeks. Well, didn't two small tumors pop up besides the other two already there - Blast! So started her back on the Tamoxifen, as well as keeping her on the Coriollus and shark cartillage. In my cases, although the coriollus and S.C. do help slow the growth, I've found that by adding the tamoxifen as well, it's a double-whammy, and unlike some internet posts that say tamoxifen is only good for malignant growths, I've had my rats' tested as benign, yet the tamoxifen still works on them.
Squeaks has a tumor the size of a flattish large grape in the left groin, one the size of a large pea in the right groin, one the size of a small bubble gum under the front right arm pit, one the size of a fat Smartie candie on the side, and now I can feel a tiny one the size of an apple seed under the left armpit. I've never had a rat have so many at once. They are not growing quickly, but they are not shrinking. Perhaps I should double the coriollus and S.C. myself for her. I mix one dose a day with some flax seed oil, a bit of turmeric powder, her tamoxifen, and give it to her every evening. She's 25 months old, still good weight, very happy and energetic - she just has these bumps.
I took her to the vet last week to ask about a surgery prognosis; I was told there's always a risk and that she'd have 5 separate cuts in the skin and that they'd have to put her on some morphine, them metacam...or I could keep her on the tamoxifen to just slow the growths. I'm afraid of the surgery because of the sheer number of them and the fact that I've lost rats to the anesthetic/shock of surgery before.
My family thinks I should just leave her be, given she's very happy, energetic, the growths are slow-growing, and that I should just let her live her life out 'as is'. I'm tending to lean towards their philosophy because, if I put her into the surgery and I lost her or she got weak or ill because of it, I'd never forgive myself. But it's a real tough call.
Anyway, I guess, like you, I'll just keep treating her with this stuff and keep those bumps as small and as slow-growing as possible. Despite being bumpy, sounds like we have very happy ratties - we are blessed.
Thanks so much for your update and very good news. Cheers!
about a month ago
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Dan Goodell
I think you're doing the right thing with Miss Squeaks, Carol. She's older and the surgery would be risky. As long as she's happy--that's the most important thing
about 3 weeks ago
Carol Weekes
Recently, over the past month, I've had to treat a common ailment of female pet rats: the dreaded mammary tumor. My rat, Jackie, is between 18 and 20 months old and a month ago a small (Smartie to small limabean-sized) tumor popped up, virtually overnight, behind her right front leg, near the armpit. I've had many rats over the past ten years and have had numerous ones develop tumors. I've tried to the Tamoxifen approach (it worked well with one, but not with others), and have used soy products from the time they were young, but still some rats develop tumors.
While scouring the internet to seek other methods of treatment for Jackie's tumor (including trying to find information on Lupron injections), I also came across numerous articles on the use of Coriolus (Turkey Tail) asian mushroom that comes in powdered caplet form, as well as the use of flax seed/oil with cottage cheese.
I began the flax oil/cottage cheese within a day of reading about it and noted that, over a week, the tumor had shrunken to half its size. I kept the regimen up. The tumor enlarged a little again, slightly thicker than at first, but never got any bigger. Then I began using Coriolus mushroom powder and shark cartilage on September 30. In a week, the tumor is again, half its size and much less dense. The instructions on the Coriolus box state that consumers WILL see a difference, or money back guaranteed - but that it can take a week to three weeks for the effects to occur.
Many articles on the internet from people with cancer swear to the positive results of both the flax seed diet and the use of Coriolus. All are natural products and, unless someone has a rare allergic reaction, supposedly cannot hurt you.
At this point in time, I can only say this:
- the tumor has diminished in size
- it is less firm than it was (moveable with fingers, but less dense)
- it has not grown with the usual rate of speed like past tumors on rats
I'd be curious to know if any others have tried these products with their rats and what their results have been. I mix a little of the mushroom powder (the instructions on the internet for use with pet rats is 1/4 of a 500 mg capsule or tablet, twice a day for the first two weeks, with shark's cartilage), then 1/10 of that once day for the remainder of the tumor until it disapears, and for the remainder of the rat's life as a preventative measure. If stopping its use, and another tumor starts, resume the procedure again.
Time will tell if the tumor disappears entirely, but at this point, even if it slows it considerably, or shrinks it, that's a positive thing too for the health of the rat.
Just sharing what I've tried, hoping it will help other rats with tumors; any kind of tumors or cancer.
over a year ago
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Carol Weekes
I thought I'd give an update on my progress with Coriolus versicolor and shark cartilage. Although Jackie's tumor tried to grow a bit (possibly a new blood supply trying to start against the medications), it has shrunken and grown much softer over the past week. It had become the size of a large, firm grape for a few days, and now has lessened to half that size, as well as half the density. So, it seems that, although the tumor had tried to grow, these things are beating it back.
At the very least, I'd hoped that this stuff would slow a tumor, and it certainly seems to be doing that, as I first noticed her tumor on Sept 10th; today being October 22, it's growth has hardly progressed.
I also began giving 1/10 drop of grapefruit seed extract (you mix one drop with 9 drops of juice, blend, then extract one of those blended drops and mix it in with about 1/4 tsp of baby custard or food) with her baytril to help diminish some occasional respiratory noise, and to balance the ph and probiotics in her system.
Either way, I wanted rat folks to know that I seem to be having considerable success with the Coriolus. I also contnue to give her about 1/2 tsp a day of the blended flax seed oil and cottage cheese. They certainly aren't hurting!
over a year ago
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The Rodent Reader Quarterly
Thank you so much for sharing this information, Carol! I'm sure all of us who have female rats have faced tumor issues (or most likely will), and this is very encouraging. I hope others who have tried alternatives to the conventional course of surgery will likewise let us know what treatments they've used and the results.
Thanks again!
over a year ago
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Ashley Ann Atkinson
Wow Carol! Mammary tumors, as you know yourself, are some of the biggest concerns to us rat lovers. We also fed flax seed to our rats, and it seemed to slow the progression, although it was hard to tell. One rat developed a tumor that was so large that she could almost not touch the ground with her back feet. Eventually, we had to put her down because of this reason... I also believe that our other rat had an internal tumor. She lost control of her back legs without any apparent cause, and it was about the same place as our other rat developed her tumor. I really wish they would come up with ways to get rid of tumors in rats effectively and safely, but it seems that's low on the priority list in the scientific world.
about 11 months ago
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Carol Weekes
Hi Ashley:
Oh, I hear you. Sometimes rats can develop back leg paralysis as they age. Often, it is hard to know exactly what is wrong.
My girl's tumor is staying small; she's had it three months now. It is the size of a small grape. I've been keeping up the flax seed oil and cottage cheese (or flax seed oil and soft tofu, if you can' t use a milk product), as well as the Coriolus mushroom extract and shark cartilage. The tumor is not her issue; it's some respiratory. I don't believe the tumor is creating any significant medical issue for her.
I'm hoping that others might find the flax routine, as well as the Coriolus, (and I've been using grapefruit seed extract) to be beneficial in both boosting the immune system and curbing the tumors. I guess it's determined by individual rats and their cases, their genetics, their immune system condition, etc.
I wish you the best; I've had female rats who had tumors grow huge before (when I had multiple rats and the costs of surgeries became prohibitive) which is why I only have two right now. I wish I'd known about this stuff to be able to try it back then. We can only go forward as we learn new things.
All best to you.
about 11 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Carol, this information you shared is awesome. Thank you so much. We've lost ratties to this in the past. Right now, none of our seven girls has one, but as you well know, this can change overnight. I think we'll order some Coriolus soon. Where did you order it from, if I may ask? Again, thank you for all this info!
about 9 months ago
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Carol Weekes
I picked mine up from a local healthfood store, although the Coriollus can be ordered online. It's a dehydrated mushroom powder.
My rattie's tumor, after six months, is only the size of a walnut instead of the usual apple-sized or more after all this time. Although it is bigger than when it first began (jellybean sized) six months ago, the growth rate has been very slow and it has been this size for several months now. So, in my case, it has retarded the tumor growth rate by about 90 - 95%, given how I've seen tumors quadruple that size in that same time period on other of my female rats in the past when I hadn't known about these products.
Each morning I give them 1 tsp of organic plain yogurt with 1/2 tsp of cold-pressed flax seed oil, and 1/5 capsule of turmeric powder. Each evening I give them 1/5 capsule of Coriolus powder, 1/5 capsule of shark cartilage powder, a tiny fleck of Co-enzyme Q 10 (about sesame seed size or smaller) mixed in with this, and blend it all with a bit of rice pablum and soy milk.
I also put a drop or two of grapefruit seed extract in their bottled water, on a week, off a week. I bought a bottle of colloidal silver two months ago (5 ppm) and use a drop of it in their baby food two to three times a week.
I do put a bit of Vitamin C, D, E, and A in their pablum mix each morning; I just scrape a small amount off the Vitamin C and D pills (about 1/50) and use one liquid vitamin E capsule daily. I use the vitamin A every second to third day.
I feed them brown rice cooked (contains inositol), and steamed kale, yellow squash, watermelon, red grapes...all natural anticarcinogens.
All of the above are also intense natural immune system boosters, and my readings into tumors and respiratory infections generally, be it for people or pets, has the sites for these products state that a strong immune system is the key to fighting disease, including cancer.
The coriollus and shark cartilage, among the other products, also create anti-angiogensis, the growth of blood vessels used by the tumor to 'feed' off the rat's body.
Again, I am not a vet; just a rat lover who turned to these products out of desperation to fight tumors and respiratory when I wasn't always having luck with conventional methods of treatment.
At 25 months, my girl (and her 18 month old friend) have the energy of rats much younger; they have beautiful coats, great appetites.
Read up on the products and make a decision for yourself. I do believe that, had I not used these products, that Jackie's tumor, after six months, would have been the size of a regular apple or larger by now. I've had rats whose tumors, after 10 months to a year, were the same size as the rat; the size of a regular, heavy sweet potato.
If these products can stop the growth, or slow it considerably while simultaneously strengthening the immune system, then who wouldnt want to try them.
They are natural anti-oxidants, anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial.
Best of luck.
about 8 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Carol, I would never have thought of looking for holistic treatments for the rats, so this information is terrific. Again, thank you so much for sharing it. There's a health food store in town I can get these products. One of our girls, Buffy, is a hairless and I just found a small bump on her side. I'm not sure if it's a cyst or tumor, but I'll be starting her on these products immediately.
about 6 months ago
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Deonna Mercer Wilkinson
How much of the shark cartilage and Coriolus did you use?
about 5 months ago
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Carol Weekes
www.freewebs.com/miscrats/howtotreatatumour.htm
The above website offers the information on it. My Coriollus wasn't in a tablet form, but rather, a capsule of powdered mushroom. I used 1/5 of a capsule initially twice daily for two weeks, then once daily after that, continuously. I'd already had the shark cartiliage, but it isn't easy to find. The website offers a UK brand, though, which can probably be ordered. Again, I used 1/5 of the shark cartilage. Again, this is just what I've followed from rat sites on line; I'm not a vet - have just gone on some advice from holisitic sites. I should also add that tamoxifen DID shrink the tumor on her side by half, later on. The holistic stuff slowed its growth considerably, (and it was a benign tumor; some people say that tamoxifen only works on malignant tumors, but I've used it successfully on benign tumors in the past, and again this time - the tumor was confirmed benign by the vet).
My girl passed away two weeks ago; it wasn't the tumor, which had shrunken down to the size of a large grape again; it was something which we'd never been able to confirm - nasal noises that never cleared up, no matter which medicines were used - she became very weak, lethargic, lost balance on one side; it wasn't PT; possibly a series of small strokes...I miss her. But the holistic stuff did work well for months. Flax seed oil with soy milk, or plain yogurt, is also good. Good for the heart too.
Best of luck.
about 5 months ago
Dan Goodell
Carol, I'm so sorry to hear about Jackie.
about 5 months ago
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Carol Weekes
Thank you, Dan. I miss her immensely; it gets easier with time. The cherished memories and their love that lives in our hearts forever, and oursin theirs, keeps us going. How much joy they bring to our lives! Despite the grief, I wouldn't have it any other way. As the saying goes 'If grief is the price we pay for knowing love, then it is worth it'. Indeed.
I hope that the above website can offer hope to others whose rats have tumors. It may not stop a tumor entirely; but if it slows the growth so that the tumor never becomes large enough to necrotize, extract nutrients from the rats body, or impinge on organs, then that in itself is a success. Blessings.
about 5 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Yeah, it always hurts, that's for sure. We lost one of girls a few weeks ago--we believe her heart was bad. Like you said though, it's a small price to pay for all the joy they give.
about 5 months ago
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Carol Weekes
I'm sorry to hear this; I well empathize. Heart problems can mimic respiratory. Sometimes it is so hard to properly diagnose. If one system or organ begins to weaken, it affects everything else. We just want them to live forever with us...that's the thing. My thoughts are with you on your loss.
about 5 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Thank you, Carol. It did look like a respiratory problem at first. She lived with it for several months and was never in any pain. She wasn't as active, but did enjoy playtime and dinner (of course!). She was your typical happy rat. She lost her litter mate back in December, but all of her adopted sisters kept her company.
about 5 months ago
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Deonna Mercer Wilkinson
Sorry for your loss but very grateful for the info you have supplied.
about 5 months ago
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Nancy Otto Hynes
We discovered tonight that our rat Candy has a tumor on her chest. My 10 yr old daughter is quite upset about this as we have already lost a rat to tumors. I have read all of the posts here tonight and I am going to start Candy on some of these holstic remedies. I have also been searching the internet and found several mentions of IP6-Inositol Hexaphosphate being a cancer cell inhibitor. Just wondering if you have any info on this. I also read that parsley has some cancer fighting properties and was wondering if I should try feeding some fresh parsley to Candy. I may even call the vet tomorrow to inquire about Tamoxifen and Lupron.
about 5 months ago
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Post Deleted
about 5 months ago
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Dan Goodell
I thought I should check in and post an update on Buffy.
Buffy developed two mammary tumors at roughly the same time, one behind her left front leg (which I originally thought/hoped was a cyst) and one by her rear left leg.
We ordered the coriolus and I started her on the flaxseed oil. About a week after starting her on the coriolus, she developed another tumor, this time by her rear right leg. Then, not long after that, the fourth one appeared by her right front leg.
By the time the third and fourth tumors appeared, the first two tumors had shrunk, especially the lower left tumor. Along the way, we ordered some shark cartilage and started adding it to her flaxseed and coriolus.
The bottom tumors and the front right tumor have shrunk to the size of a pea, if that. The front left has been stubborn, but is now the size of a small marble and shrinking.
Amazingly, Buffy hasn't lost weight through all of this. She's been a tad pudgy for quite awhile, even before the tumors. She hasn't lost any weight.
Buffy received two doses a day for two weeks, and then we scaled it back to one a day, making sure to keep an eye on all four tumors to see if we needed to make any adjustments.
Every other day, she and her six sisters get a mix of flaxseed oil, some coriolus, and shark cartilage and some grape extract with their daily fruits and veggies (this is in addition to Buffy's daily dose).
For Buffy's daily dosages, I give her 1/5 of a capsule of coriolus, 1/5 of a capsule of the shark cartilage, and four or five drops of flaxseed. I alternate mixing it all between yogurt, cottage cheese, and baby food.
She's 14 months old, happy as she's even been, and still moves around very well. Usually it takes a couple of months or so before one of these horrible things takes a rattie away. Buffy has had four. And she's as good as ever. If I hadn't seen this for myself, I probably wouldn't believe it.
Carol, from both me and Buffy, I can't thank you enough. I never would've thought of looking up holistic treatments for this.
about 3 months ago
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Carol Weekes
Hi Dan, Donna, Nancy:
Dan, I'm really happy to hear your good news for Buffy. The holitstic products can work differently on different rats, depending upon the rat and what types of growth they have. For some, they just slow the growth down but don't actually shrink it; for others like yourself, the growths shrink. On rare occasions, I've heard there are no results, although the holistic stuff still boosts the immune system, regardless. But I am so happy to hear you've had success.
Donna:
I'm so sorry about your baby. If the tumor has intersected organs, it may be malignant, rather than benign. You can still try the holistic remedies, and tamoxifen is also useful with BOTH malignant and benign tumors. I know because it also helped to shrink Jackie's tumor while she was here, and is now keeping Squeaks' two tiny tumors very small, even months later - and I do give Squeaks the holistic stuff too, but this time am using the tamoxifen daily as it seems to be doing the trick.
Prednisone does have some tumor-shrinking qualities, but when taken longterm can be an immuno-suppressant, so the rat usually has to be on a basic antibiotic to help boost the immune system (and therefore, also a probiotic to help counter the antibiotic affects on necessary gut flora). But something like flax seed oil with soy milk, or the coriolus is also a natural immune system booster, as well as anti-carcinogen. Some people have also had success with small, daily doses of turmeric (the natural yellow spice; holistic turmeric is more concentrated than the cookng spice, but both are touted as good anticarcinogens and immune boosters). I used to sprinkle a small amount in baby foods for Jackie.
The only thing you can do, Donna, is try these various things, and just love her and keep her comfortable for as long as possible. Google them and read about them, and then make your decision. If you still don't feel you want to try them, that's entirely your choice. Do what you feel is best. Just ensure that nothing contraindicates any current medication she's on. Also, dexamethesone can be more powerful than prednisone, and you may wish to ask your vet about that if the tumor continues to grow quickly or begins to cause her discomfort.
I fully empathize how you feel; the fear of losing them. It's been just over two months since Jackie crossed and not a day goes by where I don't miss her and think of her and the others who have been with me; but eventually. I know, it's hard. But at least you're loving her and giving her a great life. She's one of the lucky ones. It's all we can do for them. And whenever that moment comes, you have everyone here for support - you know that, don't you?
Nancy, Inositol is a natural ingredient found in brown rice, but can come in concentrated forms for holistic purposes. Ask at a health food store and perhaps discuss the various options with a naturopath. You can cook brown rice for your rats and also provide rice milk which also contain inositol, albeit perhaps in lower doses. Best of luck with everything.
Our precious rats; we love them so much and would do anything for them. May all your babies be as well as possible and continue on for a long time to come.
If and when the time comes and a sweet rattie crosses over, feel free to message me if you need to chat. I know only too well what it's like to lose them, having lost over 50 tiny pets in the last ten years. Heartbreaking, and yet loving them is so intensely satisfying and fulfilling.
Blessings to all!
Just try to take things one day at a time and just love her. It's the best gift.
about 3 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Buff-date. Both of Buffy's bottom tumors have either disappeared or shrunk to the point where I can't feel them. The other two are still there, but not growing. Buffy's as happy as ever. A few days ago, I discovered a small tumor under the right arm of one of Buffy's cage mates, Tori. So I've started her on the coriolus as well. Tori's tumor is still very small, so hopefully we can keep it that way.
about 3 months ago
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Carol Weekes
Glad to hear that Buffy is doing well; if it at least slows tumor growth (stopping them is even better), then it's being successful. Hope you have similar or same results with Tori. My girl Squeaks has two tumors now; a small grape-sized one in the left groin area and a pea-sized one under the front arm. She's been on coriollus for the past three months shortly after my discovering them; they've gotten a tad bigger but not much in almost four months. All we can do is do our best, which we do!
about 2 months ago
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Dan Goodell
Buffy and Tori update. The Buffapotamus is still alive and doing great. Her front tumors grew larger and denser and I increased her dosage of coriolus and shark cartilage and that seems to be reversing the growth.
The bottom tumors never got any larger after shrinking. Buffy's weight has remained the same and she's still running around and playing like she always has. I'm pretty sure that with the size and number of tumors Buffy has, she'll be on it for the rest of her life. It's a small price to pay to have her around. It's been five months or so since I first noticed her tumors.
Tori's tumor has shrunk to the point where I really have to look for it to check it. Actually, I'm not sure it really shrunk or just stayed the same size. Either way, it's good.
And of course......
Tonight I discovered a tiny mammary tumor behind Maggie's (Tori's litter mate) front leg. So now it'll be three on the coriolus. This stuff is really amazing.
It is so nice to know that when you spot one of these things, there's a weapon to fight it without surgery.
How is Miss Squeaks doing, Carol?
about a month ago
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Carol Weekes
Hi Dan:
I'm really happy to hear that you're having success with Coriolus. It does (at least most of the time) at least keep the growth rate slower, if not shrinking the tumors. It's a great relief and I'm so happy to know that it is helping other ratties.
I still have Squeaks on it, plus I've had her on Tamoxifen for the last few months. In August I wasn't sure if I should keep her on Tamoxifen and took her off for three weeks. Well, didn't two small tumors pop up besides the other two already there - Blast! So started her back on the Tamoxifen, as well as keeping her on the Coriollus and shark cartillage. In my cases, although the coriollus and S.C. do help slow the growth, I've found that by adding the tamoxifen as well, it's a double-whammy, and unlike some internet posts that say tamoxifen is only good for malignant growths, I've had my rats' tested as benign, yet the tamoxifen still works on them.
Squeaks has a tumor the size of a flattish large grape in the left groin, one the size of a large pea in the right groin, one the size of a small bubble gum under the front right arm pit, one the size of a fat Smartie candie on the side, and now I can feel a tiny one the size of an apple seed under the left armpit. I've never had a rat have so many at once. They are not growing quickly, but they are not shrinking. Perhaps I should double the coriollus and S.C. myself for her. I mix one dose a day with some flax seed oil, a bit of turmeric powder, her tamoxifen, and give it to her every evening. She's 25 months old, still good weight, very happy and energetic - she just has these bumps.
I took her to the vet last week to ask about a surgery prognosis; I was told there's always a risk and that she'd have 5 separate cuts in the skin and that they'd have to put her on some morphine, them metacam...or I could keep her on the tamoxifen to just slow the growths. I'm afraid of the surgery because of the sheer number of them and the fact that I've lost rats to the anesthetic/shock of surgery before.
My family thinks I should just leave her be, given she's very happy, energetic, the growths are slow-growing, and that I should just let her live her life out 'as is'. I'm tending to lean towards their philosophy because, if I put her into the surgery and I lost her or she got weak or ill because of it, I'd never forgive myself. But it's a real tough call.
Anyway, I guess, like you, I'll just keep treating her with this stuff and keep those bumps as small and as slow-growing as possible. Despite being bumpy, sounds like we have very happy ratties - we are blessed.
Thanks so much for your update and very good news. Cheers!
about a month ago
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Dan Goodell
I think you're doing the right thing with Miss Squeaks, Carol. She's older and the surgery would be risky. As long as she's happy--that's the most important thing
about 3 weeks ago