http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/message/79

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Hi everybody,

Seems there has been some interesting comments about adrenal gland
disease and how to treat adrenal gland disease. So lets clear up some
of the terminology and confusion. Ferrets develop hyperadrenocorticism
(ie adrenal gland disease), and their adrenal glands overproduce the
sex hormones and the adrenal androgens (DHEA, ANDRO, PROGESTERONE, AND
ESTROGEN).

Dogs and people develop hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), and
their adrenal glands overproduce cortisol. Cushings is the correct term
for cortisol overproduction, and it is a good term for dogs and people.
Because ferrets rarely overproduce cortisol, Cushings is not an
accurate term for ferrets. Likewise since ferrets do not overproduce
cortisol, some of the drugs used for dogs do not work well for ferrets.

Vetoryl (trilostane) is a good drug to use for dogs, but it may not
be a good drug for ferrets. Vetoryl will increase the amount of
progesterone produced. Progesterone is one of the hormones that ferrets
with adrenal gland disease can over produce (see above). Thus Vetoryl
is not the best option for ferrets.

Lupron depot (also called Lueprorelin in Europe) (Leuprolide acetate)
is a VERY SAFE product. I have been using it for more than 8.5 years
now. It does not cause any liver damage or have any side effects on
the liver in ferrets! It works by stopping the stimulation (LH) to
the adrenal glands. Then the adrenal glands stop over producing the
sex hormones and adrenal androgens. If Lupron is used with cases of
hyperplasia and adenomas, it may shrink the size of the adrenal glands.
It may also help keep carcinomas from getting bigger.

Suprelorin implants (deslorelin acetate) is another product that stops
the stimulation (LH) to the adrenal glands and then the adrenal glands
stop over producing the sex hormones and adrenal androgens. It is not
yet available here in the US, but it is available in Australia, New
Zealand and a few other countries. The 4.7 mg implant is the recommend
dose

Melatonin (implants or orally) is another option. Melatonin should also
lower the LH level and the sex hormone and androgen levels. The big
question with melatonin is whether the ferret will become refractory to
it when used over a long time. Melatonin should also help prevent the
adrenal gland from becoming larger as was shown in the U of Wisconsin
oral melatonin study.

Yes, Lupron and melatonin can be used together! In my opinion using
melatonin and Lupron together gives you the best of both worlds and
is the best option for medical management of adrenal gland disease in
ferrets.

Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
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Sukie (not a vet)
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[Posted in FML 5425]