Conure with Squamous cell carcinoma

[Mollysmom]

Hi folks-

Fianlly found out what is going on with my beloved Molly, a 17 year old gold cap conure. Lab results show squamous cell carcinoma that is malignant. vet did surgery 2 weeks ago and removed most of it and used sliver nitrate which I know is nasty. We are rechecking her tomorrow to see how fast this thing is growing

Molly is acting normal as far as I can tell. No more head bobbing or trying to regurgitate type motions like she's been doing off and on for the last 5 months.

Has anyone here had experience trying to manage this. I know how nasty this form of cancer is and I'm surprised she's been okay and of course grateful. I know at some point I wil have to make some kind of decision but as long as her quality of life remians good I will do all I can

Another vet mentioned to me she had a cockatoo who had cancer do well on shark cartilage supplements. Has anyone ever heard of this? of any other holitsic type treatments. her cancer is in the back of her throat and does not block her ability to swallow food.

Thanks in advance

[CrazyforCockatiels]

No experience in this area but Molly is in our thoughts and prayers!

[Valo's Moirana]

i hope she checks out fine tomorrow

[Kiwi1224]

I hope Molly's vet visit goes well. I have no experience as well with cancer and birds but I have a book titled "Holistic Care for Birds" by David McCluggage DVM. I will type the two references around cancer and please run them by your vet if you feel it's something you want to consider. Here goes...I'll type what is written...

"Chaparral -- most widely known as an herb that treats cancer. it is very effective in this regard. It is often combined with red clover for cancer therapy. The primary ingredient that makes it a powerful antioxidant and anticancer herb is the compound norihydroquaiaretic (NDGA). Italso has analgesic, antiseptic and anti-arthritic properties."

"Essiac -- is an herbal preparation used in the treatment of cancer. It originated from Candian Native Americans. The use of Essiac was revived inthe 1920s by Rene Caisse. It contains Indian rhubarb (Rheum Palmatum), Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva), Burdock root (Arctium lappa) and Sheepshead sorrel (Rumex acetosa). Several herbal companies have modified the original receipt by adding other anti-cancer herbs such as red clover. Some of the separate ingredients have been shown to have antitumor effects and "blood cleansing" properties. It seems most effective in lessening the pain associated with cancer."

good luck with the check-up for Molly

[Zanzi's Mom]

Not experience with bird cancer, but in 1999 my dad had cancer and we got him shark cartilage to take as part of his supplement therapy. It shrinks the blood vessels that feed the tumor as I understood it from a website I read several years ago. I cannot say that it was effective. My dad didn't continue taking it for some reason and he passed in 2000.

I also have heard good things about the Essiac. We tried that too, for a little while.

Recently I have read alot about ingesting vitamin B-17( Vitamin B17, also known as Laetrile and Amygdalin) to eradicate cancer. You can find it in apple seeds and apricot seeds.

I have a huge bulletin from myspace about it. If you are interested in reading it, message me with your email and I will mail it to you.

[Mollysmom]

Hi Tammy-
Yes, I would like tos ee that. My e-mail addy is deco94123-pd@yahoo.com

I asked my vet about shark cartilage and she said she hasn't had luck with any holistic stuff. I forgot about Essiac. Being a holistic practitioner myself (acupuncturist) I of course know about this but it never came to mind for Molly. I just wonder how one figures out how much to give birds.

The vet said the antib iotics took care of the infection atop the cancer and that the cancer was no more raised then when she cut it off and cauterized it with the silver nitrate so she was pleased. it could be we can manage it by outting her under and using the silver nitrate every 2 months. Of course this depends on what is going on underneath what we can't see . If it's spreading to her bones and organs then there's not much hope

thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I really appreciate it.

[Lisa B]

I've been thinking of you both.....I dont have any experience to offer, but am following your threads...