From:
amandadegraw@hotmail.com
Date: 2006-02-11 21:32:57 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Melatonin implants
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
I just have a comment on the following statement
> The other option is to start him on Lupron depot as a way
> to prevent adrenal gland disease. I do not have a problem
> with doing that either. I have several client owned ferrets on
> Lupron to hopefully prevent adrenal gland disease.
Given that Lupron is an agonistic drug and works by constantly stimulating the GnRH receptor and thus desensitizing it, I don't know how well this drug would work as a preventative in the long run. A lot of drugs that work in this way end up losing their efficacy over time because the body, in response to the large amount of signaling molecules, upregulates the synthesis of receptors. I am curious as to how many ferret owners that have used Lupron in their adrenal ferrets have found that it stops working over time...While most ferrets dont live more than a couple years after adrenal onset if only treated medically, it is hard to say if Lupron loses its affect on them. But, using it as a preventative means starting at an earlier age, therefore they will probably recieve it for longer than most adrenal ferrets do, giving more time for the drug to lose its affect.
Melatonin works in a different way, to shut down the synthesis of GnRH, so what I just described may not be a problem.
Just based on the biochemistry of these two drugs (and the drastic difference in price!) I would use melatonin over Lupron as a preventative.
Please note that I am not a vet...I am merely a biochemist working in drug design, so the above is only my opinion based on what I have read about how these drugs work.
Author wrote:
> Hi Brett,
> Glad to see you are interested in using a melatonin
> implant to try to prevent adrenal gland disease in your
> young, male ferret. The reason my article only had 4
> paragraphs on safety is because the implants are very
> safe. The main side effect is sleepiness for the first 3-5
> days after implantation. They are so safe I have all 3 of
> my ferrets on them! One is an adrenal guy, the other 2 are
> young male ferrets that are on them to hopefully prevent adrenal
> gland disease when they become older. I have several> The other option is to start him on Lupron depot as a way
> to prevent adrenal gland disease. I do not have a problem
> with doing that either. I have several client owned ferrets on
> Lupron to hopefully prevent adrenal gland disease.
> client owned ferrets on them as a preventative also.
> Either option is fine with me!
> Hope that helps,
> Jerry Murray, DVM
> BTW I have used close to 500 implants.
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