>Awhile back you wrote that the deslorelin implant is approved by the
>FDA and gave the source, which was for contraception for horses. I
>know it is used for many other large >animals for contraception, as I
>used to have a vet who works for the Bronx Zoo and used it for that
>purpose.
>
>Does it have to have separate approval for use in ferrets for adrenal
>disease? Is it an "off-label" use for ferrets?
>
>I was wondering if maybe that is what was causing confusion, not only
>here on FML but among vets.

PLEASE, PLEASE be aware that there are two DIFFERENT deslorelin
implants:

Ovuplant, 2.1mg, is designed for horses, and is NOT designed to be
time-release. It does NOT help ferrets, and due to the sudden release
of the medicine followed by none at all, the research being done on
it shows that it causes more harm than good. This is the deslorelin
implant which is currently approved by the FDA and available in the
USA.

Suprelorin, 4.7mg, is designed for long-term chemical castration of
dogs. It is designed to release over a long period, and IS helpful
for ferrets, as it delivers a very consistent level of medication over
a long period of time. This implant is not yet approved by the FDA,
although the last I heard, Peptech is starting the process.

Since I first became aware of deslorelin, and these two different
implants, I've been afraid that people would use the wrong one,
(predictably) get no results, and write deslorelin off as ineffective.

Please be careful to use the correct type. It's incredibly important.

Kevin Farlee
Washington Ferret Rescue & Shelter
Kirkland, WA

[Posted in FML 6921]