From:
"Debbie"
Date: 2008-04-08 02:52:47 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Melatonin Implants-Your Opinion
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
I read that same article. I used to be a big pusher of melatonin implants, even though several shelter operators said otherwise. Now, I believe the melatonin implants help offset the loss of hair and possibly the excessive itching of adrenal disease, but I don't think it does anything to delay the onset or progression of it. I, too, used to give melatonin implants every four months to all my ferrets. I haven't given the implants since October or so of last year and have noticed no difference. None of mine are adrenal at the moment, so the loss of hair is not an issue.
A rescue ferret I took in a few years ago was slightly adrenal, just beginning to show hair loss on the tail and had excessive itching. I got him regular melatonin implants. The hair grew back. The itching didn't change, or so I thought. About March of last year, I decided he was just itching way too much for the melatonin implant to be having any effect. It was time to have another implant and I chose not to at that time. Within six weeks, his itching was half of what it was when he had the implant. In August he went in for adrenal surgery and was found to have tumors on both adrenal glands, with the right one being so bad it was inoperable.
Hope this of help to you. Debbie Whorley
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