Tim from Melatek supplied all details, so now it should be completely
possible for that silly false rumor to end and ferrets who need
treatment won't go without due to an incorrect rumor based on someone
apparently wrongly thinking that "mink melatonin implant means "made
from mink" when those implants actually are for use in mink.

Here is what Tim sent:

>There are mink implants that are manufactured for the mink and fox
>industry and years ago a few of these implants were used on test
>ferrets to see for they indeed would assist in fighting Adrenal
>Disease. Once learning of this, Melatek worked with some of these
>veterinarians (i.e. Dr. Jerry Murray) and developed a more efficient
>and effect product to be used in the ferrets (Ferretonin). Melatek
>manufactures this product and insures the each unit is 100% safe and
>100% sterile for use in with the ferrets. Ferretonin is not the same
>melatonin implant that is use in the mink world nor is it made from
>any mink hormones, that would not be ethical on Melatek's business
>mission. Melatek also manufactures Dermatonin for dogs, cats and other
>small animals which are a stronger more concentrated version of the
>Ferretonin implant. Melatek prides its self on providing the most safe
>and effective product to all small animals and has a Trademark for
>both Ferretonin and Dermatonin registered with the United States
>Government.
>
>Melatonin was/is sometimes developed from bovine and due to the mad
>cow disease issues we do not use that type of melatonin in our
>Ferretonin or Dermatonin Implants. Below is the Melatonin Material
>Safety Data sheet information and I can provide this in a full brief
>upon request.
>
>First the Melatonin is a chemical compound:
>CAS Registry Number  73-31-+4
>Chemical Formula is C13 H16 N2 O2
>The Substance :  N-(2(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)acetamide
>It contains no Impurities or contaminants.
>It is tested for any microbiological diseases and toxicity data.
>DESCRIPTION:
>Ferretonin implants containing 5.4 mg. (11.8%) Melatonin ) are off-
>white in color and melatonin crystals, homogeneously dispersed in 22.3
>silicone rubber elastomer, for subcutaneous implantation of male or
>female ferret. Dermatonin contains various amounts of melatonin per
>dose as per the dogs weight
>

>I hope this helps explain the issue at hand and please if you need
>more information or copies of the Certificate of Analysis or Material
>Safety Data sheet I will be glad to send you a copy.

My note:
Those wanting even more info will find that given a few days the people
at the customer service branch of Melatek come through with what is
needed: http://www.melatek.net/

So, something else to be grateful for this Thanksgiving beyond family,
friends here and elsewhere, and people discussing topics civilly to
help all: hard data on the implants and false rumor that is hopefully
now put to bed so that ferrets can be helped! Now, I have GOT to catch
up on my work for Thanksgiving!

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
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)
On change for its own sake: "You can go really fast if you just jump
off the cliff." (2010, Steve Crandall)

[Posted in FML 6892]