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You have asked some good questions about how to treat a prostate problem
in your adrenal boy.
 
I would recommend surgery to remove the adrenal(s) and to check
the prostate.  If the prostate has a large cyst or abscess then
marsupialization can be done.  If the prostate has a small cyst
or abscess then omentalization can be done.
 
If there is a problem that prevents surgery then medical treatment can
be done.  I would use Lupron to get the adrenal gland(s) under control,
Propecia to get the DHT level lowered, and melatonin.  Melatonin can be
used with Lupron and with Propecia.  Yes, you can raise the amount of
melatonin to 2mg.  The main side effect is lethargy.
 
Propecia will take about 1 month to get the prostate smaller and ~4
months to reduce it by ~50%.  It is very safe.  1 study gave beagles
45mg/kg/day for 53 weeks with no side effects.  You indicated that you
could not afford Lupron yet were going to do bloodwork and x-rays.  I
would suggest you spend your money on Lupron instead.  As the prostate
gets big, your vet will be able to palpate it.  Lupron is also a very
safe product, so I would not expect side effects from it either.
 
I do not know if a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test would work with
ferrets.  There has been no studies that I am aware of to validate this
test in ferrets.
 
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 4328]