From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2002-08-29 01:42:27 UTC
Subject: Re: Melatonin tabs/liquid Digest 28 Aug 2002 23:14:13 -0000 Issue 66
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1be.c60b2c7.2a9ed603@cs.com>
I'll give you my 2 cents worth on melatonin.
Yes, it can be used to treat/control the signs of adrenal
gland disease. The recommended dose is indeed 1mg/kg
or per ferret once a day, orally around 8-9 hours after sunrise.
If no response is seen, then it can be increased to 3mg/ferret.
This is to stimulate the fall/winter photoperiod which makes
the ferret put on its fall/winter coat and its winter weight.
The "human" tablets usually come in a 1 mg and a 3 mg
size. These are available at most drug stores, Wal-Marts,
GNC, etc. The good part about melatonin is it is relatively cheap,
and seems to do a good job growing the hair coat back.
It also comes in a liquid version that is available at GNC,
health food stores, and some drug stores. The various liquid
versions vary quite a bit as to the amount of melatonin per ml.
Thus it is important to read the label carefully to see how many
mg are in each ml to determine how much of the liquid to give.
Melatonin can be given with Lupron or it can be given by itself.
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM