From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-10-21 16:37:03 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: Fat Ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Author wrote:
> Has anyone heard that Melatonin might cause a ferret to gain weight?
Some weight gain is not too unusual. Providing melatonin is like providing more darkness which in turn is like entering Winter, so think of it the way you think of Winter weight gain. Besides, right now also IS the start of Winter weight gain time in the U.S.
If it goes too much beyond the normal Winter weight gain or the lethargy remains consider that there may be a different cause and check organs like the pancreas and the heart. If the weight acts like a water balloon when you lay the ferret on the back and gently pat it, or if the ferret begins to cough check the belly with the vet to make sure it is not fluid, and depending on how that works out you may need to look for hidden heart disease. (BTW, there was nothing in the articles I searched to indicate any problem with melatonin use with heart disease -- in fact it appears to benefit the heart in several ways, but in humans it has recently been noticed that Lupron may be a problem with pre-existing heart disease.)
Even though hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the form of cardiomyopathy which is very commonly hidden in ferrets (typically needing an ultrasound to be found) it is not terribly unusual for dilated cardiomyopathy (hyperplastic cardiomyopathy) to be hidden, either. While dilated can be spotted often by chest x-ray once it is looked for, an ultrasound greatly helps design the best medical approach for an individual's own particular case since they vary.
probably just Winter weight effect, but keep an eye on this one and if it continues or worsens do some checking
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