From:
"Jeff"
Date: 2010-02-27 00:12:28 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Adrenal Disease Treatment Question
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
Here is a repost of two abstracts for studies done on Deslorelin (see below). I can say that we have had great success with the implant that we recently gave to Pop. I have not personally seen anything noted about negative side effects associated with the implants. Melatonin works differently than Deslorelin and can be given in addition to it.
Jeff
In Memory of Trinny, Neo, Pip, and Mr. Parker
Caring for Morphy, Baby Girl, Luna, Dozer, Sabrina, Minnie Mouse, Pop, and Possum the Million Dollar Ferret
Deslorelin treatment of
hyperoestrogenism in neutered ferrets (Mustela putorius furo): a case
report A. Prohaczik, M. Kulcsar, Gy. Huszenicza Faculty of Veterinary
Science, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary ABSTRACT:
Hyperoestrogenism causing progressive alopecia in neutered ferrets may
be induced by ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and nodular hyperplasia of
the adrenocortex (hyperadrenocorticism, NHA). The objective of the study
was to determine whether a slow-release implant of a gonadotropin
releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, deslorelin, has any value in therapy
of hyperoestrogenism of adrenocortical origin (NHA). Three sup- posed
cases of NHA with alopecia and other clinical signs of hyperoestrogenism
(n = 2 spayed females in oestrous and n = 1 castrated male) were treated
with a subcutaneous implant of 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate. Blood samples
were collected, and plasma levels of estradiol (E2) were determined just
before, and some weeks after treatment. For realistic monitoring, blood
samples for E2 determination were also taken from intact, healthy
(untreated control) females after the beginning of heat (n = 5), or
9-21 days after, with hCG induced ovulation (n = 6), or out of
breeding season (n = 3). Before treatment, all three alopecic ferrets
showed elevated E2 concentrations (99.45-139.9 pmol/l) similar to
the untreated control females in oestrous (61.6-123.02 pmol/l) (P =
0.229). Some weeks after the deslorelin administration, the hair of
these ferrets began to grow again and the elevated E2 concentrations
significantly decreased compared to the pre-treatment values (P =
0.035). E2 concentrations reached the basal level (12.89-16.08
pmol/l) typical for that of the untreated control females in anoestrus
or in luteal phase (12.0-30.58 pmol/l) (P = 0.137). All treated
ferrets were examined again 19-21 months after implant insertion
(the implant still being present) and all of them had normal hair and
were clinically healthy. These observations prove that deslorelin can
suppress the E2 production of NHA, and is therefore a useful tool in the
therapy of hormonal alopecia neutered ferrets. Keywords: deslorelin;
GnRH analogue; estradiol; hyperadrenocorticism
The Treatment of
Adrenal Cortical Disease in Ferrets with 4.7-mg Deslorelin Acetate
Implants Robert A. Wagner, VMD, Mark R. Finkler, DVM, Kellie A.
Fecteau, PhD, and Tim E. Trigg, PhD Abstract Thirty pet ferrets with
adrenocortical disease (ACD) of varying severity and duration were
evaluated for response to a single administration of a slow release 4.7
mg deslorelin acetate implant. Clinical response to deslorelin was
monitored via a physical examination performed every 3 to 4 months.
Adrenal ultrasound measurements were taken every 3-4 months until
clinical relapse. At clinical relapse, duration of symptom suppression
and adrenal size and growth were determined. Administration of a single
4.7 mg implant of deslorelin acetate resulted in significant decreases
in the clinical signs and hormonal concentrations associated with ACD.
Within 14 days post-implant, vulvar swelling, pruritus, sexual behaviors
and aggression decreased or disappeared. Hair re-growth was evident by
4-6 weeks post implant. Within two months post deslorelin implant,
plasma concentrations of steroid hormones decreased: mean estradiol
concentration decreased 28%; 17 hydroxyprogesterone levels decreased 89%
and androstenedione levels decreased 88%. The response to a single 4.7
mg implant of deslorelin acetate was transitory. The mean SD time to
recurrence of clinical signs was 17.6 5.0 months (range, 8.0-30.0
months). Repeated ultrasound measurements revealed no statistical
difference in size of the adrenals (right or left) before, during the
months of deslorelin implant and at clinical relapse. Slow release 4.7
mg deslorelin implants can effectively be used to temporarily eliminate
the clinical signs and reduce steroid hormone concentrations in ferrets
with ACD. This dose of deslorelin does appear to influence adrenal tumor
growth causing a decrease in adrenal size in some ferrets, and mild
enlargement of adrenal glands in most ferrets with 2 of 30 implanted
animals developing large tumors before clinical relapse. The long-term
effect of treatment with deslorelin on adrenal tumor pathology requires
additional investigation. At this time, surgical removal of the adrenal
tumor remains the only curative treatment; however, 4.7 mg deslorelin
implants are useful in the long-term management of ACD hormone-induced
sequelae and may be as effective assurgical management. Copyright 2009
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Key words: ferret; adrenocortical
disease; adrenal tumor growth; hyperadrenocorticism
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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