I am not here to start a food fight or controversy on the FML but after
reading the email on Lupron injections I questioned a ferret specialist
about this.

Brenda Lakeroad Ferret Farm Rescue Shelter

My question was:

Dr. Sandra this came off the FML this morning I am sending it to you to
read so you can clarify what I am reading because I do use Lupron but
the monthly shot for our shelter ferrets and we pay far more than that
for our injections.

I gave her the complete post so she was informed of all that was
written.

Here is her answer to my question
[Re-posted with permission. BIG]

Hi Brenda-

Thanks for emailing me and asking me about the inexpensive lupron
purchased from Strohecker's Pharmacy in Oregon.

I called them and spoke with the pharmacist there.

The formula they are selling for $149.95 is *NOT* the form of lupron
recommended for ferrets. This is the type of lupron that is a DAILY
formula (not the monthly form we use in ferrets). It is *ONLY*
effective in treating adrenal disease if administered once a day,
every day -- and is considered far inferior to the monthly lupron
repositrols. The pharmacist was not aware that this type of lupron
is not only not effective in ferrets if given monthly -- but is also
dangerous, because it can cause a rebound hormonal spike. After we
talked, he agreed to educate veterinarians calling to prescribe this
medication that this is -- indeed -- not the right medication for
ferrets. Many people are not aware that there are a variety of lupron
formulas available on the market, and not all formulas are equal.

So, in short, an animal being given this medication once a month is NOT
being treated for adrenal disease -- the money is essentially being
thrown away -- and as you can find in many sources, monthly treatment
with the daily repositrol can actually worsen the course of the
disease.

As always, if it looks to good to be true, it probably is.

From a financial standpoint, since the *right* lupron formula generally
costs $35-$50/month per animal -- it is MUCH more cost effective to put
in a deslorelin implant and have complete control of adrenal disease.
Within a few months, you have paid for the implant completely with what
you saved in monthly lupron injections and adequately addressed the
disease.

And as to your question about adopting animals out with adrenal
disease, personally, I see no concerns in adopting out a well
controlled adrenal animal as long as the prospective new owners have
been educated about the disease and ongoing needs for care. At my
clinic we regularly put animals up for adoption with deslorelin
implants in and advise the owners that the implants will likely need to
be replaced within a year and what they can expect to pay. Most owners
find a once a year expense of $125-$200 very reasonable, particularly
in comparison to the price of adrenal surgery or monthly lupron
injections.

I hope that answers your question. From both a medical and a financial
standpoint, deslorelin is decidedly the way to go; with the repositrol
formulation of lupron as the second place holder. The daily lupron
formula has no place in ferret medicine.

Happy to answer any other questions you might have --

Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP (Exotic Companion Mammal Specialty and
Feline Specialty)
Animal Medical Associates
838 Portland Road
Saco, ME 04072
207-282-5151
www.animalmedicalassociates.com

[Posted in FML 7722]