One of my carpet sharks, Sherlock, (2 lb. male shelter adoptee of unknown age, at least 5 yrs.) had a few displays of return-to-male sexual behavior early this year. I took him to my ferret-knowledgeable vet, who gave him a physical and said we shouldn't base an adrenal neoplasia diagnosis on only 3 episodes in several months. I have been keeping a VERY CLOSE eye on him, and he hasn't done "it" in a couple months! He has no other classic adrenal n. symptoms: no hair-loss, palpable masses, urinary issues, general aggressiveness, etc. I have lost 2 other shelter adoptee males to adrenal n. already (Silas due to urinary blockage from undiagnosed adrenal n. and Froggus while recovering in post op) and I don't want either of those tragedies repeated if we can avoid them. At my vets suggestion I have been investigating giving Sherlock melatonin supplements, but it seams like it might mask the very symptoms I am looking for! I don't want to delay any needed surgery, and I am afraid that masking any developing symptoms might lead to that. Do any vets or others have potential adrenal neoplasia and melatonin experience? If anyone recommends it, please provide dosage and timing guidance. Also, while I have been paying extra attention to Sherlock over the past several months, I have noticed him occasionally displaying very mild hind-leg weakness. It is mild in that he still has apparently normal mobility, but he frequently seams to favor one or the other leg, limping, and he may be taking breaks and not playing quite as much as he used to. It is so mild that it took me a week to convince myself that he wasn't just being silly, as he is a very silly ferret. There is a chance that he has a minor injury from playing with our dog, but there was no traumatic onset of Sherlock's problem (the dog is young and excitable but has always adopted her best behavior around the ferrets). Sherlock is eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing normally. Blood work was done when he got a physical a couple months ago. Everything appeared normal then; his glucose was boarder line low, but he had fasted for 7 hours. So far I have never had to deal with insulinoma in any of my eight past or present critters. We will see if our time may be up. Since he is currently not displaying adrenal n. symptoms and his weakness issue is mild and infrequent, my vet scheduled a physical (w/ non-fasting glucose) for him in one month, earlier if a change is noticed. In the mean time, I will keep Nutrocal on hand in case of "crash" symptoms. We might have the TN panel done then as well if he still has no other adrenal symptoms, but I am hesitant to invest the money in the test when the results are not definitive. The vet tech suggested investigating glucosamine & chondroitin supplements for Sherlock's rear end issues until his vet visit to see if we notice any effect. Has anyone used glucosamine & chondroitin supplements for their aging ferrets with any noticeable results? If anyone recommends it, please provide dosage guidance. Any advice or leads are welcome. I also posted this on the Ferret Health List. [Posted in FML issue 4153]