Sukie wrote:
>Well, I do have to point out an incredibly important way that this
>[melatonin] differs from a faith discussion.  Melatonin IS BEING STUDIED
>in careful work by Dr. Jerry Murray and a some folks at Texas A&M.
><snip>  Those things which have solid data behind them need to be valued
>far more highly in health choices than hypotheses or opinions.
 
You know, I looked back at my email and decided that I didn't make my
point all that well.  I meant more directly link the use of melatonin
with cost issues.  I think we would all agree that lupron and surgical
excision of the adrenal glands have been "proven" to control adrenal
disorder.  As Sukie just said, melatonin has not to this point been
proven to be an effective subsitute for surgery or lupron (which is why
it is still being studied).  We have all seen posts where people say "I
can't afford surgery or lupron.  How much melatonin should I give my
adrenal ferret?"  Therefore, people in fact do use melatonin as a
substitute for surgery and/or lupron solely for financial reasons.
 
I don't see how anyone can argue -- when there is ongoing dissemination
of information that we all *know* is being used as a substitute for more
proven veterinary techniques SOLELY for cost reasons and not because it's
better for that particular ferret -- that animal communicators should not
be consulted because there's a fear that the information would be misused
or that undue reliance would be placed on it because of financial
motivations.
 
Melissa Ince
[Posted in FML issue 4084]