On Friday, I came across an article about the cancer-fighting properties of papaya leaf extract which had been confirmed by researchers. The thing that pricked up my ears was the fact that this supplement was good for shrinking tumours in the pancreas and liver, amongst other organs.

So, first thing on Saturday I went galloping to the health food store and got a bottle of papaya (or paw paw, as it’s called here) leaf extract to give to Kahlua.

Another ferret owner asked me that question and rather than just reply to her, I thought I’d put the answer up as a post.

To be honest it’s difficult for me to say categorically that yes, it does work.  I got it when Muis was diagnosed with insulinoma and I gave it to her every day.  One thing I can say with certainty is that it seemed to help her because she used to wander around the house quite happily, she’d come and see me in the study when I was working and always wanted to be lifted up onto my lap, and if we went out, she’d be at the front door to welcome us home when we came back.

Has anyone tried this supplement on their ferret?

Why I ask is because I ordered another bottle of Transfer Factor Plus from my supplier and I mentioned Kahlua’s strange symptoms.

When I got the TFPlus, I found a sheet of  Legalon milk thistle capsules which they’d very kindly put in for Kahlua to try, to see if that would help her condition.

They even googled if ferrets could have it and told me they’d seen several websites which talked about ferrets having this supplement.  What wonderful people!

Well it has arrived!

I read the instructions (which were for humans) and they said that first time users should take 1/8th of a teaspoon in some liquid and then build up to a higher dose.

I tasted the liquid and it was like seaweed – a bit salty but nothing too gross – but I was worried that Muis would spit it out when I gave it to her mixed in her pet milk.

I hadn’t realised that the bottle contained capsules – I thought they were pills which I’d have to crush but this was easier.

According to that site I found with the dosage instructions, Muis needs to have 1/4 capsule per day

Transfer Factor Advanced Formula Plus — Small Animals 1-40 lb. One quarter to one capsule daily

but I was also mindful of the instruction on the same site

Note: Some veterinarians start animals on a small amount of Transfer Factor Plus for 3 consecutive days to make sure to not overwhelm the immune system, and increase the dose gradually.