To: Ferret Vets and owners
 Re:  New treatment for ferret adrenal disease
 
During the recent Exotic Pet Medicine Conference at Texas A&U, Dr. Cathy
Johnson Delaney from the University of Washington presented information on
the use of Lupron Depot (Leuprolide Acetate) to treat those nonsurgical
ferrets and those ferrets that have already had surgery.  Lupron works
primarily by suppressing sex steriodogenesis (esradial, testrosterone, etc.)
which inhibits the growth of hormone-dependent tissue (ie.  the prostate and
the vulva).  Lupron works especially well in male ferrets that have a
prostatic enlargement or a prostatic/paraurethralcyst causing urinary
difficulties.  In females, it returns the enlarged vulva to normal size.  It
also works well in stopping the hair loss and causing the regrowth of hair.
It does not lower cortisol levels (like lysodren does), so it will not cause
hypoglycemic problems in ferrets with a concurrent insulinoma.  Thus it is
safer than lysodren.  Lupron is given once every 3 weeks to once every month
at a dose of 100 mcg/kg IM.  Since it does not contain any preservatives,
the drug should be reconsitituted with sterile water and the diluent,
divided into dose ampules, and then stored frozen.  It can be stored frozen
for up to six months.  Only vets can order lupron from TAP Pharmaceuticals
at 1-800-622-2011 or from Florida Infusion at 1-800-624-0152.
 
  Jerry Murray, DVM
  Animal Clinic of Farmers Branch
 
PS.  (note from the typist,,,, Kathy Lucy, AKA, UnoHeart
For those ferret owners in the Dallas, Ft.  Worth area that are interested
in starting their ferrets on Lupron, please contact Dr. J Murray at
972-247-2221 by Feb 11th, so he can thaw out enough doses to be used on Sat.
Feb 14th.
[Posted in FML issue 2206]