I am not here to start a food fight or controversy on the FML but after reading the email on Lupron injections I questioned a ferret specialist about this. Brenda Lakeroad Ferret Farm Rescue Shelter My question was: Dr. Sandra this came off the FML this morning I am sending it to you to read so you can clarify what I am reading because I do use Lupron but the monthly shot for our shelter ferrets and we pay far more than that for our injections. I gave her the complete post so she was informed of all that was written. Here is her answer to my question [Re-posted with permission. BIG] Hi Brenda- Thanks for emailing me and asking me about the inexpensive lupron purchased from Strohecker's Pharmacy in Oregon. I called them and spoke with the pharmacist there. The formula they are selling for $149.95 is *NOT* the form of lupron recommended for ferrets. This is the type of lupron that is a DAILY formula (not the monthly form we use in ferrets). It is *ONLY* effective in treating adrenal disease if administered once a day, every day -- and is considered far inferior to the monthly lupron repositrols. The pharmacist was not aware that this type of lupron is not only not effective in ferrets if given monthly -- but is also dangerous, because it can cause a rebound hormonal spike. After we talked, he agreed to educate veterinarians calling to prescribe this medication that this is -- indeed -- not the right medication for ferrets. Many people are not aware that there are a variety of lupron formulas available on the market, and not all formulas are equal. So, in short, an animal being given this medication once a month is NOT being treated for adrenal disease -- the money is essentially being thrown away -- and as you can find in many sources, monthly treatment with the daily repositrol can actually worsen the course of the disease. As always, if it looks to good to be true, it probably is. From a financial standpoint, since the *right* lupron formula generally costs $35-$50/month per animal -- it is MUCH more cost effective to put in a deslorelin implant and have complete control of adrenal disease. Within a few months, you have paid for the implant completely with what you saved in monthly lupron injections and adequately addressed the disease. And as to your question about adopting animals out with adrenal disease, personally, I see no concerns in adopting out a well controlled adrenal animal as long as the prospective new owners have been educated about the disease and ongoing needs for care. At my clinic we regularly put animals up for adoption with deslorelin implants in and advise the owners that the implants will likely need to be replaced within a year and what they can expect to pay. Most owners find a once a year expense of $125-$200 very reasonable, particularly in comparison to the price of adrenal surgery or monthly lupron injections. I hope that answers your question. From both a medical and a financial standpoint, deslorelin is decidedly the way to go; with the repositrol formulation of lupron as the second place holder. The daily lupron formula has no place in ferret medicine. Happy to answer any other questions you might have -- Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP (Exotic Companion Mammal Specialty and Feline Specialty) Animal Medical Associates 838 Portland Road Saco, ME 04072 207-282-5151 www.animalmedicalassociates.com [Posted in FML 7722]