Dr Jerry Murray who was instrumental in the research on the melatonin
implants has stated the implants are much better than the oral because
it is constantly providing without a variance as there is giving it
orally - counting on those who give orally are not giving it exactly
at the same time of the day each day.

This counts for the Lupron too - to give it very near the prescribed
time and not skip a week or few days here and there. Skipping causes an
up and down inner problems (sorta like women going through the change
of life with their up and down hormones - he didn't use that example,
that's mine).

There is much more going on inside the ferret than just the loss of
hair when they are adrenal (prostrate problems, vulva swelling, and
inner problems. You cannot go by hairloss alone as to whether the meds
are working. There are ferrets that just are not going to grow all
their hair back with BOTH Lupron and Melatonin or even surgery. The
majority see hair growth within a week or two, some wait till the next
seasonal change, and some never get their hair back. He gives the
implants at 6 month intervals, not 3 1/2. Unless you are really a
clock watcher, there are things easier to cut corners on than trying
to control it with oral melatonin.

Oh and PS don't always count the loss of hair as adrenal. Most
experienced vets and shelter people know or have a pretty good idea but
for the average its hard to tell if it is adrenal or a case of stress,
or incorrect food, or not enough oils in the diet, or the seasonal
change or flea infestation or just dry itchy skin. And even if you have
had your ferret for a long time, they experience the above off and on -
especially stress, can't find their favorite toy, teammate is in a bad
mood, they aren't getting out when they think they should. As much as
they relieve OUR stress, they sure do have their own.

Millie and her ferrets and Danes
www.txferretrescue.org

[Posted in FML 6985]