Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Please remember to keep good track of your
fuzzies as we enter the holiday season so there are no "stepped on"
injuries or unforeseen escapes into the outdoors with the coming and
goings of family and friends.

The best information we have to date on the deslorelin implants is
the published paper from Dr. Wagner's study released this summer.
(June/July Journal of Exotic Pets Medicine) In the study, he addresses
the fact that the size implant that is showing the best treatment for
adrenal disease in ferrets is the 4.7 mg implant. The implant used
in his study was provided by Peptech of Australia. This implant is
available to vets by contacting Rosie Warren District Sales Manager for
Peptech @ [log in to unmask] It appears there are no issues with the
FDA and other than standard review of drugs coming into the country
U.S. Customs is allowing the implants in.

My vet has been great in listening to my "reports" on Doc Wagner's
progress and success with his study. He ordered 10 implants from
Peptech and received them in 10 days which included a three day lay
over in San Francisco. The price I was charged here in Rochester, NY
was just shy of $80.00. I was charged for an injection fee, the implant
and 1/10 of the shipping fee.

I am also happy to report that my little female is showing good signs
of fur growth after approximately 24 days after implant. I was quick
to seek a melatonin implant for her when her spring coat did not come
in and instead she had the clinical hair loss sign for adrenal
disease. She never got overly aggressive, but she has only one cage
mate/playmate, nor did the vulva swell, so I do not have over symptoms
that I have been watching to be relieved.

I have heard from others who have not seen hair growth with the des
implant (4.7 mg. from Pepetech) and at 8 weeks they are not having fur
regrowth, but the intense itching and aggression have subsided. One of
the important parts of Doc Wagner's study included the evaluation of
tumor size through ultrasound measurements. I suspect it is possibly
to have the implant help curb other symptoms and yet not provide fur
regrowth. Some ferrets in the study were not helped by the implant.
Some did not get more than 70-80% regrowth of their fur until 12 weeks
after injection. There are a variety of outcomes. Fortunately, for many
ferrets the outcomes have been very successful with implants lasting
about 13-24 months on average. Two of my boys in the study are starting
month 15 and going strong!

If this implant is available specifically for ferrets where the heck
has it been and why has no other vet found out about it? Prior to
the release of Doc Wagner's study, implants for ferrets could not be
imported into the U.S. I would be very leery of this implant for that
reason, plus it is too low a dose. A smaller size implant study is
referenced in Doc Wagner's work - it was not found to be effective
enough for treatment of adrenal disease in ferrets.

I hope this information is helpful. I am always excited to hear of
better treatment and caring, ferret oriented vets to help our babies!!

Cathy Feed rescued animals in two clicks
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

[Posted in FML 6528]