I asked Dr. Weiss about Lupron causing the death of a ferret and also about
it's effect on bone density.  Here's what he had to say, and gave his
permission to quote him.  I believe one of these questions came from the
FML, the other from the FAIML.
 
"I have not to date (over 200 ferrets) seen any acute deaths with lupron.
But I do still say, as always that surgery is the best alternative (esp
with the advent of cryo!!!), and it should only be used on non surgical
candidates.  We do not know all of the long term effects of lupron in the
ferret, but I'm using it for ferrets which have an illness that I do not
have a better treatment for.  I have seen it help countless ferrets, many
who would certainly be dead by now if it were not for the drug.  As with
any drug adverse reactions can occur and are unpredictable.  There are
always some risks we take when treating patients, but we try to do the best
we can with the current available treatments.
 
Decreased bone density has been reported in people with lupron, I have not
seen this clinically relevant in the ferret.  Also the ferret is so light
weight and does not have a problem with osteoporosis, so I think problems
from this would be remote.  It would be nice to have all of the info (post
lupron bone scans, etc.) but unfortunately the money is just not there.
Much of this info is not available for dogs and cats either."
 
 
For the ferrets,
Mike
 
* Michael F. Janke, [log in to unmask]
* Secretary, South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue
* A 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation
*
* Shelter web site:  http://www.miamiferret.org
* Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc
[Posted in FML issue 2892]