From: Connie Yeager <[log in to unmask]>
>Has anyone experienced a fairly quick death in a ferret that was older
>and less healthy after being given lupron?
>
>Dudley was given to me maybe in 2005, and was supposed to be 2 or 3
>years old at that time. So guess that would make him around 8-9 years
>old. He had been on lupron for at least 2 years. As i ran out of
>lupron in February, he didn't get his injections in March, April,
>or May, so last week he was taken to the vet to get an injection.

It sounds as if what caused the death was the fact that he was not
given the medicine that he needed for 3 months. Lupron cannot cure
adrenal tumors, but can slow their growth. Without his injections for
three months, the tumor or tumors most likely grew much more rapidly
than they had in the past, and by the time Dudley finally did get his
medicine, he was nearing death and it was too late.

Lupron or Deslorelin implants must be continued faithfully if they are
expected to help a ferret with adrenal disease. Monthly Lupron Depot
shots must be given monthly, and 4-month Lupron Depot shots should be
given about every 3 or 3-1/2 months, to overlap each other. Deslorelin
implants can be effective anywhere from 6 to 12 months, possibly
longer, depending on the severity of the adrenal disease. And, even
when given faithfully, neither Lupron nor Deslorelin implants can help
forever. Eventually even the meds will no longer be able to contain
the tumor growth, and the ferret's quality of life will diminish to
the point where he or she should be helped to the bridge.

Jeff
In Loving Memory of Neo, Trinity, Morphy, Possum, Pip, Pop, Sabrina,
Minnie Mouse, Hunny, Misty, Frodo, Baggins, and Mr. Parker
Caring for Luna, Baby Girl, Dozer, Boomer, and Zoomer

[Posted in FML 7107]