I've meant to write about this a while back, and just never got around to it. But, here's another moment of me-on-a-podium:
I've written about how all my guys got Lupron shots at the beginning of the year, as a possible preventative for adrenal. And, of course, how Pixie--being the eldest of The Triad--also gets a melatonin implant come fall.
Well, here's some news to digest: it *does* bring back the spark for the older guys. I noticed with Pixie that she is once again as playful as she was as a kit. Any time I walk into the room, she's ready to wrestle or explore or cause a little Pixie-style mayhem.
Even Yogi, who's still under a year, was quicker in regaining his playfulness after the Lupron. He regularly races and dances around.
So, yeah. To me, it's great for the youngsters (has more of a chance as a preventative that way, if they are under 1 year). But it's also fantastic for the adults, too, especially when--though healthy--they start to slow down.
And, too, think of it this way: even if you pay almost $100 per shot per ferret (like I do; I hear some are as low as $50 a shot), it's only yearly. Better than paying $100 per shot per ferret every 1, 3, or 4 months, if they turn adrenal positive. Delaying or even negating at least the risk of that specific cancer--amid the myriad others they can contract within their lifetimes--is nothing to sneeze at.
It may sound like it, but I'm really not trying to convince anyone just to go ahead and do it. I'm merely trying to get people aware of new options, since everywhere I've asked around seemed to be unaware of Lupron and melatonin, except as a course of palliative care for cancer+ ferrets. I was slightly amazed that this is so unheard of--I thought since adrenal is one of the Big Three (insulinoma, lymphosarcoma, and adrenal cancers) that once something like this was discovered, that it'd make the rounds in no time. But, that apparently isn't the case, here.
It's something to research and to ask your vet about. That's all.
*steps away from podium*
Okay. I'm done *g*
Hey Girl, I've been crazy busy and haven't had a chance to post in the last few days. Caught up on yours -- love the tangerine bra and the fact that it is now a ferret possession! Haha!!
ReplyDeleteThe Lupron and Melatonin information is very interesting. I will definitely bring this up to my vet and get her thoughts on using it as a preventative...
Time for bed! Have a great day!
Hey! I've been worried about you and your crew, since it's been awhile since you posted anything. Everyone doing well?
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks -- we are fine! Ziggy is now back to his goofball self (after that very scarey reaction while at the vet). Cupid is just hanging tough. What a brave little dude!
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