Once the FDA gives an approval date for the Minor Use Minor Species
application placed by Virbac U.S. and Peptech Suprelorin will be sold
in the U.S.A.

As far as I know till a date for U.S. sales if given people should
still contact Peptech in Australia. Just go to the FML or FHL Archives
(both addies in my sig lines, and the FHL link is in multiple places
on the FHL homepage, while the FML )

Virbac U.S.A.:
http://www.virbacvet.com/Home-USA.aspx
Peptech:
http://www.peptech.com/HTML/Animal_Health/Superlorin_general.html

The importation info that hopefully quite soon will not be needed:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL12551

Suprelorin implants are deslorelin in a slow release mode. The drug
is related to Lupron but lasts longer and is therefore less expensive
overall. Lasting longer may also help it work better due to the effect
that happens if that class of med is replaced only after it has worn
off which is the same as the problem with using 24 hour Lupron except
then it occurs many more times:
http://www.miamiferret.org/24hr_lupron.htm

Suprelorin CAN be used along with Ferretonin implants and that can be a
very good idea since each approaches the problem in a different way:
http://www.melatek.net/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL5827

Natural melatonin production in the body: Melatonin production is
reduced when the ferret is exposed to more light. The blue wavelength
is the worst, and the green is the second worst. If a nightlight is
needed in the room with the ferrets then use AMBER (and I sorely wish
that all equipment lights on computers and computer related equipment
were amber since so many of us have to have rooms serve multiple
functions). Amber causes the least reduction in melatonin production
by the pineal gland. If such products are not available near you I
personally have had fine results from these people so hopefully you
also will:
https://www.lowbluelights.com/index.asp?

As an adrenal disease preventative get an annual Suprelorin implant
(preferably in late Winter to early Spring but it lasts so long that
the timing is less critical than it was for Lupron as long as it is
done annually):
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL9686

How adrenal disease is caused:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL9453

References regarding use of this product in ferrets include:
1. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2010 Sep;13(3):439-52.
Advanced diagnostic approaches and current medical management of
insulinomas and adrenocortical disease in ferrets (Mustela putorius
furo).
Chen S.
Gulf Coast Avian & Exotics, Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, 1111
West Loop South, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77027, USA.

2. Am J Vet Res. 2005 May;66(5):910-4.
Clinical and endocrine responses to treatment with deslorelin acetate
implants in ferrets with adrenocortical disease.
Wagner RA, Piche CA, Jochle W, Oliver JW.
Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, 3500 Terrace St, S1049 BST,
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.

3. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2008 Apr;34(3):278-83. Epub 2007 Sep 10.
Luteinizing hormone-dependent Cushing's syndrome in a pet ferret
(Mustela putorius furo).
Schoemaker NJ, Kuijten AM, Galac S.
Division of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine of the Department
of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The
Netherlands.

4. Theriogenology. 2008 Jul 15;70(2):161-7. Epub 2008 Apr 25.
Use of a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist implant as an
alternative for surgical castration in male ferrets (Mustela putorius
furo).
Schoemaker NJ, van Deijk R, Muijlaert B, Kik MJ, Kuijten AM, de Jong
FH, Trigg TE, Kruitwagen CL, Mol JA.
Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

5. Vet Rec. 2010 Jan 16;166(3):74-8.
Comparison of four treatments to suppress ovarian activity in ferrets
(Mustela putorius furo).
Prohaczik A, Kulcs‡r M, Trigg T, Driancourt MA, Huszenicza G.
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Istvan utca 2,
1078 Budapest, Hungary.

Some treatment options when some of the potentially fatal complications
of adrenal disease occur:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL11305
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL5714
(and sometimes with the latter there are meds to replace some of the
transport demands made on the blood, or transfusion from a healthy
large male ferret can be better, and marrow transplants are even
possible if not left to the last minute with that info also in the
archives)

If a remaining adrenal is suppressed or atrophied, or if both adrenals
come out fully or mostly:
http://www.miamiferret.org/addisons.htm

If it is unclear if a ferret has adrenal disease the TN Panel test is
very useful, but Do collect all the info and have your vet do it
through direct mailing to the University of TN rather than through an
intermediate lab because having an intermediate lab forward it tends to
double the costs, so without that you will cover: vet appt, blood draw,
sharps proper disposable costs, proper prep and packaging, and mailing
as well as the U. TN cost. It always is good to not pay double for no
added value, so direct sending, please!

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html
"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)

[Posted in FML 7311]