Dr Jerry Murray who was instrumental in the research on the melatonin implants has stated the implants are much better than the oral because it is constantly providing without a variance as there is giving it orally - counting on those who give orally are not giving it exactly at the same time of the day each day. This counts for the Lupron too - to give it very near the prescribed time and not skip a week or few days here and there. Skipping causes an up and down inner problems (sorta like women going through the change of life with their up and down hormones - he didn't use that example, that's mine). There is much more going on inside the ferret than just the loss of hair when they are adrenal (prostrate problems, vulva swelling, and inner problems. You cannot go by hairloss alone as to whether the meds are working. There are ferrets that just are not going to grow all their hair back with BOTH Lupron and Melatonin or even surgery. The majority see hair growth within a week or two, some wait till the next seasonal change, and some never get their hair back. He gives the implants at 6 month intervals, not 3 1/2. Unless you are really a clock watcher, there are things easier to cut corners on than trying to control it with oral melatonin. Oh and PS don't always count the loss of hair as adrenal. Most experienced vets and shelter people know or have a pretty good idea but for the average its hard to tell if it is adrenal or a case of stress, or incorrect food, or not enough oils in the diet, or the seasonal change or flea infestation or just dry itchy skin. And even if you have had your ferret for a long time, they experience the above off and on - especially stress, can't find their favorite toy, teammate is in a bad mood, they aren't getting out when they think they should. As much as they relieve OUR stress, they sure do have their own. Millie and her ferrets and Danes www.txferretrescue.org [Posted in FML 6985]