Message Number: FHL14425 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2011-12-10 18:10:55 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] meletonin dose for adrenal disease
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

HI, Holly,

With all due respect for your vet, I'd get a second opinion. How old
is your ferret? I've had successful adrenal surgery done on ferrets
up to eight years old. It really depends on the physical condition of
the ferret and if there are any other health issues that make surgery
risky. To quote a vet I trust: "Old age is not a disease."

If medical treatment is the way to go then that's fine, but melatonin
alone is usually not effective. A deslorelin implant or lupron depot
are both more effective for most ferrets. I had a ferret named Podo
who started showing adrenal symptoms again at around age nine. He did
have other issues, including cardiomyopathy, so he would never have
survived surgery. We used lupron depot and it worked very well for
him.

My point is that there are other, better options than melatonin and a
consultation with another experienced ferret vet may well be worth the
money.

The usual disclaimer applies: I'm not a vet. I don't even play one
on TV. I'm just a moderately experienced ferret owner who has seen
more adrenal disease than I care to think about.

All the best,
Caity
with Zephyr and Chin Soon

On 12/10/11, Holly <hollyandherbunny@yahoo.com> wrote:
> My ferret has adrenal disease and is too old for surgery. my vet
> recommended not to give him any drugs or a meletonin implant. She referred
> me to a vet for natural stuff if I want, but it costs $160.
> Stewie takes liquid fruit flavored meletonin mixed with baby food.
> Does anyone know the correct daily dose?
> I give him 1 mg at this point.


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