From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2009-05-05 02:26:40 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Melatonin question
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Karen
I'll give you the adverse effects listed in the melatonin
article that was peer reviewed and in the Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association: "...adverse
effects associated with long-term use of melatonin, which
are generally restricted to inhibition of reproductive function,
delay of puberty, and influence on circadian status of fetus
or neonate if the recipient is pregnant or lactating."
Somnolence (sleepiness) is a common side effect from
melatonin like Dr Ruth points out, but it usually only last
2-5 days and not to the extreme that Cathy described.
Therefore kidney damage from ketamine in a senior patient is
a more likely cause for the extreme lethargy that she described.
BTW There was also a study done in New Zealand with 3 month
old ferret kits. They were giving an 8 mg melatonin implant
(roughly 1.5 times the amount of the 5.4 mg ferret implant)
at 3 months of age and again 12 months later. No adverse
reactions were reported during that 16 month study (Seasonal
fiber growth cycles of ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and long term
effects of melatonin treatment.) Of course 3 month old female kits
are going to be small, and they had no problem with the higher dose
implant.
Hope that clears up your confusion.
Jerry Murray, DVM
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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