The problem with the mink melatonin implant is it nonabsorbable.  Thus
when you inject it, it stays there forever.  The implant last for about 4
months so you would have to give it 2-3 times a year.  After a while you
would have a lot of these "rice sized" implants under the skin.  That MAY
cause a problem (inflammation that develops into a granuloma or into a
tumor).  That is why the company in Wisconsin (Consulting Services) is
working on an absorbable melatonin implant for ferrets.  In the mean
time, the male mink melatonin implant can be used.  Also Wildlife
Pharmaceuticals in Colorado is working on a GnRH analog (similar to
Lupron) to would be a long lasting implant or injection for ferrets.
Hopefully we will have these available sometime in 2002!
 
Hope that clears up the confusion.
Happy New Year,
Jerry Murray, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3652]