http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG6795
(2003)
>Sorry to hear about your high rate of adrenal problems. It was
>surprising to hear that you had 2 dogs with adrenal tumors, for
>that is truely rare. Now to your questions.

>Can Lupron or melatonin be used to hopefully prevent adrenal gland
>disease? YES! (However I do not think Casodex would be a logical
>choice as a preventative.)
>
>Yes, finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) alone will help to shrink the
>enlarged prostate. It works by preventing testosterone from being
>converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is what causes the
>prostate to enlarge. Thus with no DHT, the prostate shrinks.
>
>However Lupron will help lower all of the adrenal hormones, including
>testosterone. By lowering the testosterone, there is less DHT that
>can be made, so the prostate shrinks. Thus it works best to use
>Lupron with finasteride. Casodex works by blocking the androgen (DHT)
>receptors on the prostate, so it will also work to reduce the size
>of the prostate. Flutamide also works by blocking those receptors.
>However the hormone levels do not change with these 2 medicines. Again
>best to use with Lupron. Melatonin can also be used to reduce the size
>of the prostate. It is believed that melatonin reduces the adrenal sex
>hormones. Plus there are actual melatonin receptors on the prostate,
>so it may work by 2 different routes.
>
>As for giving finasteride to prevent prostate problems, it is a very
>safe medicine even at high doses, so it might be a good idea to give
>it to your males.
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

See also:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG6389
 and
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG4059

Remember that the meds have to be suited to the TYPE of adrenal disease
and the related cause of prostate enlargement in ferrets which is
DIFFERENT than in most other species.

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 6280]