Melatonin is a natural hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin is involved in activating (in the spring) and terminating (in the fall) the natural breeding season. Higher levels of melatonin are released in the fall during the dark hours. This is what stops the breeding season, causes the ferret to put on its winter coat, and its extra weight for the winter. Recent work at the University of Wisconsin and Texas A&M has shown that melatonin also helps control adrenal gland disease. There is an injectable melatonin implant that is FDA approved. It is a slow release product that last for roughly 4 months. Texas A&M and I are currently doing a pilot study using the melatonin implant. So far most of the ferrets regrow their fur and gain weight in 1-2 months after the implant is given. In addition the implant is a low cost option to treat adrenal gland disease. Plus it can be used with Lupron. It can also be used with Propecia for males with prostate problems, and with Arimidex for females with estrogen-induced anemia. Article by Dr. Jerry Murray DVM.
Other research notes:
"Melatonin supplements for ferrets have been reported to aid in maintaining healthy coats and also with fur regrowth in ferrets with balding caused from adrenal disease. It has also been reported to help with prostate problems in males and swollen vulva symptoms in females. I have been using melatonin and have seen positive results in my ferret."
"In my male ferret, he had been on Lupron for roughly 2.5 years post left adrenal gland removal, but the hair on the distal third of his tail never filled in as much as a normal tail. After his melatonin in March his tail started to fill in. Now after his second melatonin implant his tail has completely filled in."
"Yes, several success stories with Melatonin. We started out after an adrenal surgery did not bring about the long term improvement we had hoped for, and the Lupron did only for about a month, Four weeks on the Melatonin we saw significant decrease in the ferret's vulva and the beginnings of hair re-growth. "
"A second one, a male with aggressive bilateral adrenal cancer, was put on Melatonin nearly a year ago. The adrenals were such a 'mess' that the right was never removed. It took about 4-6 weeks, but his fur looks fine and he has no indications of prostate problems, which is always our biggest concern with male adrenal tumors."
Author wrote:
Dear Carol: The implants are not radical. They are a godsend for those of us who cannot be home every day to administer oral melatonin. I tried giving mine the melatonin when I got home every day - from 6 - 7 pm ... for a year, and it didn't help. Now, thanks to the implants, two are still adrenal free (so far), one who was scheduled for surgery reverted to negative - all his fur grew back and his hormones on the Tennessee panel came back normal - and my two with inoperable adrenal tumors who cannot have adrenal surgery are still alive and bouncing around after 11 1/2 months
インプラントを導入しての写真、以前-1ヶ月-2ヶ月-3ヶ月→
Ask your Doctor about Melatonin implants for your Ferrets in Japan. We have a supply available for any Vets that want to offer them to their clients. We at the IFS have tried them and we are amazed at the great results. We have seen these Ferretonin/Melatonin implants work with our own eyes! The pictures in this article were taken by us here in Japan. After only 2 months our Ferrets started growing new hair all over. And some of these Ferrets had been hairless for years! You will not believe your eyes. This is the best option/alternative to surgery. Some studies also show that melatonin implants can help prevent the ADV virus in Ferrets as well. Call 03 3725-5848 for more info.
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