>I have a hypothesis that has been mulling around in my head about the >FSH/LH levels in pre-adrenal ferrets. Would any of the early pregnancy >tests on the market be a way to test for the elevated hormone levels in >our ferrets as a possible determining of the condition? I can see me >now, running around on the floor on all fours chasing a ferret with one >of the "pee-on" strips in my hand, going... "no no no, not on the floor, >pee on this little thingy!" LOL! I seem to recall Dr. Jerry Murray tackling that question once and there was some reason it would not work but I can't recall details. So, I will search. As usual, when I find an interesting post that can help FML members I will include that, and will put a pointer to the answering post if I find it. http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG7637 (some causes of adrenal disease under study -- notice that increasingly the data is that the problem is caused by things that increase the levels of LH and FSH including neutering, and/or not enough darkness/not enough melatonin, each of these having that effect, so when the two happen together the result is cumulative; notice, too, that being whole (unneutered) changes many things endocrinologically in marked fashions) http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG7883 (short and sweet on how the Lupron depot works) http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG6389 and http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=YG9239 and http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG6593 (treating) http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=YG2545 (can look the same) http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG6649 (and diabetes) Well, I can't find it. Perhaps someone else can, or perhaps it was a pers. com., or maybe I am misremembering. Sorry about not finding it. At least I tried for you. I did too much yesterday with the flu so am fevering enough today that I really am not up to form for the best searching. Sorry. Only human... The short wavelengths (blue, green, etc) are the worst for disrupting natural melatonin production so should NOT be used in a ferret room at night. It's best to use no light, but if you absolutely have to (such as having a sick one who must be checked on several times a night) then use red and also be absolutely sure to provide multiple ways to get out of the light: cage covering if there is a cage, black covers that drape over furniture they may sleep under, and bedding they can get into well such as a deep and dark sleep sack. (You can find some interesting articles on light wavelengths and melatonin production with searches. That colors like blue and green are the worst has been kn own for about 10 years orso.) -- Sukie (not a vet) Ferret Health List co-moderator http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth FHL Archives fan http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ replacing http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org International Ferret Congress advisor http://www.ferretcongress.org [Posted in FML issue 5193]