From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2006-10-11 01:00:56 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Insulinoma & Melatonin
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Author wrote:
> What was this about?
> Sukie- please clarify- I had email exchane withTim Cairns of Melatek today and he reports no problem for insulinomic ferrets on melatonin-- as is our experience.
> I can forward Tim's email if allowed.
> Alicia at Ferret Wise
If he okays it then it can be forwarded.
It is hard to clarify because it is currently a veterinary debate on this topic.
As I have said, there is currently a debate among some vets whether SOME ferrets with pancreatic problems MAY have problems with melatonin. There is a study on-going.
The trick is that melatonin appears to be involved in multiple ways with pancreatic function and the effects appear to be opposing ones.
Why do some ferrets show indications of perhaps having such problems? That is an unknown. The effect of melatonin on cortisol was suggested by some vets because studies in other species do show that melatonin can affect cortisol levels which in turn can affect blood glucose levels, but as you see from the studies, that does not appear to be the only possible effect of melatonin. It's really complicated and as I have said in the past this is currently a debate rather than something proven, and it appears that the individuals vary.
There isn't any more clarification I can provide because too little is still known.
Until more is known, though, in case a given individual ferret might be one who has problems it *might* make sense if insulinoma is present to try oral melatonin first simply because that can be stopped rapidly if the individual shows any signs of a problem.
It is impossible to really clarify what isn't currently clear simply because it too new and too little studied.
That help to whatever little amount this can be helped?
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