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Date: 2002-08-29 02:32:11 UTC
Subject: Re:Melatonin implants Digest 27 Aug 2002 23:11:50 -0000 Issue 65
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
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Hi Joanne,
I'll try to answer your questions about the melatonin implants.
I started to use the melatonin implants on adrenal ferrets this
past March. So far I have given 25 doses of it So far it has worked
well. It takes a little longer than Lupron to see results usually
4-6 weeks. The 2 side effects I have seen are lethargy for the first
3-5 days after the implant is given and increased weight gains
(increased fat pads). This is similar to the weight gains that are
often seen in the fall and winter. This is from the increased
melatonin levels during the "short day" photoperiod. Likewise
with the implant they gain weight and put on their winter coat.
Your vet can order the mink male melatonin implants from
the company that makes them at 1-800-206-7227.
They come in packages of 100, 500, and 1,000.
The also need a special syringe (implant device) and
special needles (12ga.) that can be ordered from the company.
The implants are roughly the size of a grain of rice (about the
same size as the ID microchips). The implantation site is
the loose skin above the shoulder blades. I usually put a drop
of skin glue on the hole from the needle. These are FDA
approved for use in mink. At doses as high as 78.2mg no
adverse side effects were observed in mink. These implants
last 3-4 months and cost less than Lupron.
In my male ferret, he had been on Lupron for roughly 2.5 years
post left adrenal gland removal, but the hair on the distal third
of his tail never fulled in as much as a normal tail. After his
melatonin in March his tail started to fill in. Now after his
second implant his tail has completely filled in. Barney also
has insulinoma, so he is also being treated with cortisone.
Despite that, he still has a great hair coat (age 7.5 years).
In adition the vets down at Texas A&M's vet school are
also using the male mink melatonin implant, and we will
compare results when I go down there in December. If
they are also getting good results then they will try to do
a control study with pre and post blood hormone concentrations.
Plus using ultrasound to follow the size of the adrenal glands
over time. That is if they can getting the funding to do it.
Hope that answers your questions about the implants,
Jerry Murray, DVM
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