Shouldn't a Melatonin implant have worked on my ferret by 1 month?

Question

I had high hopes for my ferret, Storm, to start regrowing his hair. The implant was put on June 23rd, a month ago, and so far no fur growth. In fact, he has LOST more fur (not a lot more, but it's noticable). He has more energy than he did before, but no hair growth. He eats well, plays well, pees and poops well.

Here's a picture of what he looks like right now. He is a dark sable. As you can see, he has a completely bald patch on his back, his sides are thinned, his neck is thinned up towards his head, even his back flanks and base of tail are thinned.

He DOES have a faint blue tint to his skin in the back bald patch. It has been there for about 2 weeks and I haven't noticed any hair growing there yet. Does it mean it still will?

Here's the picture: (sorry for the poor quality; it's a cell phone pic): http://i38.tinypic.com/2z6v31c.jpg

Do you think the implant will still grow his fur?

Answer 1

The Melatonin implants are NOT the most effective approach for adrenal disease.

Surgery is usually best, but if that can not be done then a combo of a Lupron Depot and a melatonin implant would be best in the U.S., but in countries where deslorelin can be gotten that may well be preferable to Lupron.

With a male ferret and insufficient control of the adrenal neoplasia there is a risk of urinary obstruction from prostatic enlargement as well as other problems found in any ferrets with uncontrolled adrenal disease.

Here are some refs to help you:

http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/adrenal.h...

If prostatic problems occur:

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL2144

Melatonin alone is certainly better than nothing but it is not optimal.

Remember:  even though fur loss is the most noticeable symptom it is far from the most serious.  Getting fur to grow back does NOT mean that the adrenal disease is well enough controlled for optimal quality or quantity of life, esp. when the cause of fur regrowth is melatonin which also can regrow fur through a dermal mechanism.

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferre...

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/

http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html

http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/

http://www.ferretcongress.org/

http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml

http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferr...

There are so many more, especially in the FHL Archives, but preferentially select the ones from vets, please.

Answer 2

well i have a ferret too! umm i have no idea i will pray for your poor little ferret!

Answer 3

I am REALLLLLY confused by your questions...you keep asking the same thing.  Why in the world are you not communicating with your ferrets vet on this????