Re: suprelorin in young male ferrets

Chris Geddes — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:23:54 GMT

Thank you for your helpful response Alan.

Lindsay - Alan is exactly right, the product has not been trialled on sexually immature ferrets hence is licensed for mature ferrets. There are pros and cons of giving it this year (going off-label) versus next year and I suggest you do chat through with one of our technical vets - 01359 243 243 option 1.

You are right about monitoring testes size to determine time to re-implant. Experience shows that it lasts about 4 years, so for the life of many ferrets but obviously some live a lot longer so may need one or possible even two re-implants.

Best wishes

Chris

Re: suprelorin in young male ferrets

Alan Tevendale — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 07:28:47 GMT

Hi Lindsay

This is an extract from the NOAH comendium. As far as I can see age wise they are intended for sexually mature animals.

"Ferret

Infertility (suppression of spermatogenesis, reduced testis size, levels of testosterone below 0.1 ng/ml, and suppression of musky odor) is achieved between 5 weeks and 14 weeks after initial treatment under laboratory conditions. Treated ferrets should therefore still be kept away from jills on heat within the first weeks after initial treatment.

Levels of testosterone remain below 0.1 ng/ml for up to 16 months. Not all parameters of sexual activity have been tested specifically (seborrhoea, urine marking, and aggressiveness). Any mating that occurs more than 16 months after the administration of the product may result in pregnancy.

The need for subsequent implantations should be based on the increase in testis size and/or increase in plasma testosterone concentrations and return to sexual activity.

The reversibility of effects and ability of treated hobs to produce offspring subsequently has not been investigated. Therefore, the use of Suprelorin should be subject to a benefit/risk assessment performed by the responsible veterinarian.

In certain cases, the implant may be lost from a treated ferret. If loss of the implant is suspected in connection with the first implantation, this can be confirmed by observing no reduction in testis size or plasma testosterone levels as both should reduce under correct implantation. If loss of the implant is suspected following re-implantation, a progressive increase will be seen in testis size and/or plasma testosterone levels. In both of these circumstances a replacement implant should be administered."

You should give your virbac technical vet a call. They are very helpful and have loads of information on it's use in ferrets.

Hope this helps

Alan