From:
"Danee DeVore"
Date: 2011-08-16 21:46:48 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Des as a form of chemical neutering
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
>
>My only consern with your statememnt is that it apears you are using the Deslorelin implant as a form of birth control. In humans, prolonged birth control can >cause gender cancer. If this is so in humans, what's to say it isn't so in ferrets?
I was concerned about the probability of long term use of Des as a means of chemical neutering also leading to a higher incidence in cancer of the reproductive organs when I first heard about the studies being done in Europe on using Des for just that. I emailed several vets here in the US who were working with Des, and all of them told me that actually there is less chance of cancer when Des is used, because it works differently from the type of birth control used in humans. Unfortunately, I did not save the emails that explained why, and what the difference of the 2 processes was. However, I can write again and hopefully get the specific information.
I have heard reports that there is an increased risk (although small) of ovarian and uterine cancer developing in females who are repeatedly taken out of season using some of the hormone drugs we currently use. But, this is different from using an implant that prevents the jill from ever coming into season.
In the meantime, hopefully some of the vets on the list will comment on their thoughts on it. Also, I found the following in the archives:
Message Number: FHL10375 <http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL10375>
Message Number: FHL10362 <http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL10362>
In response to Pam, I am glad you are seeing good results. I am hoping that my 3 boys will also get a long term benefit from the implants. The caution given to me was not that it never works as well in males, but just that it appears to work better in females. Des doesn't always work in every ferret as a treatment for adrenal disease, and so the same is true in using it as a means of chemical neutering. The drug appears to work longer in females, and also has a greater success rate in females. Also, some males with Des implants have been known to produce viable sperm. Of course, this is just one vet's experience.
I do know it is becoming the popular choice for neutering in Europe and the UK, and the people I know over there are all very happy with the results. It does seem to have a longer effect when used for chemical neutering as opposed to a treatment for Adrenal Disease.
I am definitely looking forward to it becoming more readily available in the US. Hopefully, that will also help lower the cost, since the shipping is part of what currently raises the cost.
Danee DeVore
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