>You have a good question about how to treat your Loki with adrenal
>disease and a prostate problem. Unfortunately this a somewhat common
>problem for male ferrets with adrenal disease.
>
>Because the prostate problem is a serious and potentially fatal
>condition, you need to treat aggressively. First you need to lower the
>hormones (DHT and Estrogen) that are causing the prostate to enlarge.
>This can be done with Lupron or Deslorelin with melatonin. Next you
>need to further lower the DHT level with either Avodart, Proscar/
>Propecia, or Casodex. Avodart and Proscar/Propecia both stop the
>production of DHT. Avodart may be the slightly better option. Casodex
>on the other hand just blocks the DHT receptors on the prostate. It
>does not lower the hormone level. Actually the DHT levels will
>increase with Casodex. Thus Avodart or Proscar/ Propecia are the
>better options, but they need to be used with Lupron or Deslorelin and
>melatonin. Most of the prostate cases will have a bacterial infection
>too. Thus an antibiotic (Zeniquin, Baytril, or Trimeth/sulfa) may be
>needed also.
>
>Metacam is a NSAID product that will help with pain but does little to
>the prostate. I would start him on Lupron as soon as possible, but it
>does not have to be a whooping dose. Just 200 mcg should be enough to
>control the adrenal disease and help shrink the prostate. Likewise
>Proscar/Propecia at 1 mg once a day for the first 30-60 days in a row.
>Usually by then the prostate is small enough to reduce the dose to
>just 0.1 mg once a day. Again with Lupron once a month. The dose for
>Avodart (if price is no problem) is 0.05 mg once a day for 30-60 days.
>May be able to reduce it to every other day after the prostate is
>small enough to not cause any urination problems.
>
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

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Sukie (not a vet)

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[Posted in FML 6664]