http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL5714
>Hopefully your little girl will not need Epogen or Arimidex. Lupron
>and melatonin should lower the estrogen level, and melatonin helps to
>stimulate the bone marrow to make red blood cells. Thus you may not
>need any additional medications for her.
>
>Epogen is used to stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood
>cells. Arimidex is used to lower the estrogen level. They are
>basically added to the treatment when Lupron and melatonin cannot
>control the estrogen level, and the ferret has anemia from the
>elevated estrogen level.
>
>Epogen is an injectable product with a suggestive dose of 100 to 200
>units/kg SC to start with, then reduce as the PCV improves.
>
>Arimidex is an oral medication with a suggestive dose of 0.1 mg/kg
>once a day.
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG15827
>Anemia in ferrets with adrenal gland disease is a result of the high
>estrogen levels. Therefore to treat anemia from adrenal gland disease,
>you must lower the estrogen level. This can be done with several
>medications, and in cases with severe anemia several medications
>should be used together. Lupron is the first medication. It stops the
>stimulation to the adrenal gland(s), so the adrenal gland(s) produces
>less estrogen.
>
>Arimidex is an aromatase inhibitor, so it stops the production of
>estrogen from estrogen precursors and prevents other hormones (such
>as DHEAS, ANDRO, and TESTOSTERONE) from being converted to estrogen.
>Melatonin also stops the stimulation to the adrenal gland, can work
>as an aromatase inhibitor, AND stimulates the bone marrow to produce
>red blood cells. Epogen and Procrit also stimulate the bone marrow
>to make more red blood cells. Pet tinic can be used too. This liquid
>supplements iron and B vitamins to help the bone marrow make more red
>blood cells.
>
>Casodex is not used for estrogen induced bone marrow toxicity. Casodex
>is a receptor blocker for androgen (DHT) receptors. It is used
>primarily in cases of male ferrets with prostate problems, and in case
>with return of sexual behavior or aggressive behavior. If the andro
>level is really elevated in a female ferret, it may help some, but it
>is used mostly in male ferrets.
>
>Hope that clears things up,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG15755
>What you are describing is anemia and thrombocytopenia (the lack of
>platelets to form blood clots) that caused the petechial hemorrhage
>under the skin that you could see. The lack of platelets also caused
>the bleeding from the injection. This is a very severe case of adrenal
>gland disease that is producing large amounts of estrogen. The
>estrogen is causing bone marrow toxicity and stopping the production
>of red blood cells and platelets. This is common in intact female
>ferrets that go into heat and stay in heat. Unfortunately it can and
>does sometimes happen with adrenal gland disease. These case require
>aggressive treatment with Lupron, Melatonin, and Arimidex. Some case
>even need blood transfusions. Sorry to hear about your loss, but the
>melatonin did not cause this problem. This was from the adrenal gland
>disease and estrogen.
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG14332
>Yes, Epogen and Procrit are the same drug. They are made by the same
>company then marketed by 2 other companies. Yes, Epogen or Procrit
>are used to stimulate the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
>
>If the anemia is from estrogen toxicity to the bone marrow then you
>have to lower the estrogen level by using Lupron and/or Arimidex also.
>Likewise melatonin should be used to help lower the estrogen level and
>to stimulate the bone marrow. Hill's a/d or baby food can be used to
>increase the appetite, and pet tinic can be used to raise the iron and
>B vitamin levels.
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

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/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 6155]